Ne-Yo Brings Signature Flow to D.C.

By Broadside Style Writer Kyle Ridley

R&B trailblazer Ne-Yo is kicking off his first headlining tour in style after a double win at Sunday’s Grammy Awards. The multiplatinum selling singer-songwriter took home golden gramophones for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for his number-one hit “Miss Independent” in addition to performing with Jamie Foxx and Smokey Robinson in a tribute to the Four Tops.

Ne-Yo, 29, brings his signature blend of soulful pop to the area next week for back-to-back shows at Washington, D.C.’s DAR Constitution Hall and Baltimore’s Lyric Opera House.

The Las Vegas native is touring in support of his third album, “Year of the Gentleman.” The disc, propelled by hit lead single “Closer,” debuted at number two on the Billboard Album Chart last September, selling 250,000 copies in its first week.

Ne-Yo titled “Year of the Gentleman” in honor of influential class acts of the past, particularly The Rat Pack. He said there is a noticeable lack of sophistication in today’s industry and hopes “to remind cats what it’s like to be a gentleman.”

In the three years since arriving on the scene with debut CD “In My Own Words,” Ne-Yo has proven to be one of music’s most influential songwriters. The 11-time Grammy nominee and three-time winner has written a slew of chart topping radio staples for many of the industry’s leading voices, including Beyoncé (“Irreplaceable”), Rihanna (“Take a Bow”) and Mario (“Let Me Love You”).

Despite his wave of success, the “Because of You” songwriter admitted he had started to feel unappreciated by the media and that his recent Grammy recognition came at just the right time.

“I was actually taking it a little personal with everything I’ve accomplished,” said Ne-Yo. “It started feeling like I had to be something controversial to feel like I was exciting enough for these people to think I could be on their magazine.”

He said his Grammy nods were “God’s way of saying ‘shut up and stop complaining.”

The genre-crossing artist recently wrapped a joint European tour with the Pussycat Dolls and Lady Gaga and said he is eager to play for U.S. audiences once again. He has co-billed with likes of Alicia Keys and Chris Brown, but looks forward to his first solo trek because he knows the seats will be filled with devoted fans.

“There’s no love like hometown love,” said Ne-Yo. “It’s gonna feel good.”

The soulful singer said he’s “not the dude” that tries to make the crowd go wild, or tell people to wave their hands in the air.

“I’d rather use my charm or swag to entertain rather than always be dancing,” he said.

Ne-Yo added his canon of tunes hits every emotion and he enjoys an audience who is able to dance, as well as sit and listen.

“My show is about the music… it’s about how the music makes you feel,” he said. “They’re not bored— they’re vibing.”

Though he knows how to work the stage, Ne-Yo said his ultimate goal is to have the world recognize his songwriting skills.

“There may come a day where people won’t care to see Ne-Yo perform… but I can be 198 and write a song,” he said. “That’s the beauty of being a songwriter— there’s no expiration date on you.”

Talk about a full plate, Ne-Yo’s ’09 calendar is crammed with diverse projects once his tour wraps in March. In addition to penning new material for himself and other up-and-coming artists, he’ll star in two feature films, including George Lucas’ “Red Tails,” about the Tuskegee Airmen. He also starred, executive produced and wrote the soundtrack for the semi-autobiographical “Venice Beach.”

If that wasn’t enough, Ne-Yo has also developed, written and drawn the first three episodes of a new animated series, “What the Bear,” for The Cartoon Network.

Writer. Musician. Dancer. Actor. Animator. Producer. It seems the sky holds no limit for the ever-rising Ne-Yo star, and nothing is going to stand in his way.

“I’m going to do it all before I leave this plane of existence,” he said.

WANT TO GO?

What's up: R&B sensation Ne-Yo performs

When/Where: Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.- D.C.’s DAR Constitution Hall

1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Feb. 19 at 8 p.m.- Baltimore’s Lyric Opera House

140 West Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201

Tickets: $47.50- $74 on ticketmaster.com