Five songs Ne-Yo wrote for the likes of Rihanna and Beyoncé
The singer is known for hits such as 'Miss Independent' and 'So Sick', but he has also written songs for stars such as Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Celine Dion.
American singer Ne-Yo has several hit singles and number one albums under his belt.
But many of the 43-year-old fans don't know that he has penned music for some of the biggest artists in the music industry.
Some of his own hit songs include 'So Sick', 'Miss Independent', 'Sexy Love', 'Closer, 'Mad', and 'Knock You Down' with Keri Hilson and Kayne West.
Ne-Yo has been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards throughout his career. He won three gramophone trophies, including 'Best Contemporary R&B Album' for his 2007 album, 'Because of You'.
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Before achieving success as a solo artist, Ne-Yo - whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith - wrote songs for other singers.
Here's a look at some of the artists he has worked with.
Mario - 'Let Me Love You'
R&B singer Mario released 'Let Me Love You' in 2004 - one year before Ne-Yo would go on to release his debut album, 'In My Own Words'.
Ne-Yo co-wrote 'Let Me Love You' with Kameron Houff and Scott Storch. The song earned Mario his first-ever Grammy nomination. He was nominated for 'Best R&B Male Vocal Performance' at the 48th annual Grammy Awards. His album, 'Turning Point', was also nominated in the 'Best Contemporary R&B Album' category.
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Rihanna - 'Unfaithful'
Ne-Yo has written several songs for Barbadian singer Rihanna. He co-wrote 'Take A Bow', 'Russian Roulette', 'Right Now', 'Unfaithful', and more.
Ne-Yo also collaborated with RiRi on her platinum-selling song, 'Hate That I Love You', which was released in 2007.
"The best way to express an emotion like love is through storytelling. It makes it more, ‘I can relate to this character in this song, because I’ve been through something similar.’ … You hear that kind of storytelling in the song that I wrote for Rihanna called 'Hate That I Love You," he told Vibe magazine in 2008.
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Beyoncé - 'Irreplaceable'
Beyoncé's single, 'Irreplaceable', was one of the biggest songs of 2006. It became the break-up anthem of the year, earning it a 'Record of the Year' nomination at the Grammys. Ne-Yo originally wrote the song for himself but felt the words would be more meaningful if sung by a woman.
Ne-Yo also worked on Queen B's 'Flaws and All'. Beyoncé's husband, Jay-Z, roped in Ne-Yo's help for his songs 'Hollywood' and 'Minority Report'.
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Celine Dion - 'Thank You', 'Incredible'
Celine Dion teamed up with Ne-Yo for her songs, 'Thank You' and 'Incredible'. The R&B star co-wrote the former and lent his vocals on the latter.
The lyrics of 'Incredible' inspired scores of people around the world.
Whole world is watching us now
It's a little intimidating
But since there's no way to come down
Lets give 'em someth' amazing
Lets make them remember
Using one word
Incredible
Oh oh oh oh
Incredible
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Janet Jackson - 'Rock With U'
Ne-Yo revealed in a 2018 interview with Billboard magazine that he had a "major crush" on Janet Jackson after seeing her in the music video for 'The Pleasure Principle'. He eventually met and worked with Janet.
He co-wrote Janet's song, 'Rock With U' with Jermaine Dupri and Eric Stamile.
"I recall trying to keep my cool, trying not to fanboy," Ne-Yo said about meeting her for the first time.
"It didn't work. I gave her a really long and slightly uncomfortable hug. Uncomfortable for her, it was great for me. But it was one of those, 'Okay, you can let me go now'," he joked.
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Main image credit: YouTube/Celine Dion ('Incredible' music video)
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