Ne Yo Because Of You Video

Def Jam's Platinum R&B Star Ne-Yo returns with a hot new single "Because of You" from his forthcoming album due in stores April 24! Ne-Yo is also currently writing songs for Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Britney Spears.

Beginning with the release of Ne-Yo`s platinum debut In My Own Words in 2006, life hasn`t been the same for the Las Vegas native. "The transition from being in the background as a songwriter and being an artist took a little getting used to," Ne-Yo laughs. "It`s a lot different being the guy that nobody knew two years ago to people asking for autographs, but, I`m not complaining."

With the release of Ne-Yo`s sophomore disc, the talented performer is ready to reveal his stellar growth as a songwriter, his maturity as a man and his prowess as a performer. "I write from personal experience, so everything in my life becomes a part of my songs," Ne-Yo confesses. "In my opinion, the essence of a good song provokes thought while also making you feel some kind of emotion."

Ne-Yo also proved himself a masterful songwriter penning such gems as Rihanna`s "Unfaithful" top-ten hit " and co-writing Beyonce`s mega-blast "Irreplaceable." That track was on the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single for ten weeks. "I suppose growing-up around so many women must have given me some insight," says Ne-Yo, who is currently writing songs for Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Britney Spears. "I used to hear everything my mom, aunts and sisters would say about life and love. When I write songs for women, I pull from those learned experiences."

In addition to winning the prestigious Male R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year award at the 2006 Billboard Awards (where he was also a nominee in three other categories, including Male Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year for "So Sick," his premiere single) and was nominated for two 2007 Grammy`s: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his chart-topping hit "So Sick" and Best Contemporary R&B Album.

"I can remember being home a few years ago watching the award shows on television, just hoping that one day I could be there," Ne-Yo says. "Now, I`m not only there, but I`ve been nominated. Believe me, it`s a good feeling." Still, like his musical heroes Prince and Frank Sinatra, Ne-Yo clearly understands that the secret of musical success is spending long hours in the studio. "Even when I was on the road, filming my feature debut Stomp the Yard or performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, I was always thinking about the songs I wanted to write for this new album."

In "Because Of You" one can hear a soulful purity that has been absent from R&B for some time. Produced by Ne-Yo`s old friends Stargate, who first broke-out with their work on "So Sick," the uptempo "Because of You" has already started blazing from stereo speakers. "I wanted this song to kind of pick-up where "Sexy Love" left off," Ne-Yo says. "It`s about being in love with a person so much that it turns into an addiction. No matter how many times you might break-up, you keep going back, because you just can`t help yourself."

Writing and performing material that his fans can relate to is another gift that shines through on the radiant "Do You?". With a beat that manages to be cool and hard simultaneously, Ne-Yo`s love ache can be felt as he addresses an old flame. "I wanted this song to sort of pick-up where `So Sick` left off," he says. "My ex-girl is getting married, but still I`m writing her a letter telling her I care, while wondering, `Do You?`"

Like the best songwriters, Ne-Yo has his own special formula when he`s in the lab. "My motto is, `If it ain`t broke, don`t fix it.` I don`t want a lot of people contributing too many ideas to the writing process, because I know what I want. I`m not trying to make a song that is hot for the moment, I`m writing songs that I hope fifty years from now, people are still singing. For me, it`s all about longevity."

With its smooth `80s groove that are like musical waves splashing on the beach, "Angel" is one of those eternal songs. "This is one of those songs I thought about for a while," Ne-Yo informs. "The concept was what it would be like to be in a relationship with a real angel. Of course, it would be blissful, but no matter how much you love the angel she could never really be yours, because angels belong to God. Eventually, she`ll have to go back to heaven." Produced by newcomer Scientist, the beat is reminiscent of the vintage Minneapolis sound laid-down my his royal badness. "Prince is the main reason I do what I do, so I wanted this to be a homage to him."

As a testament to how far Ne-Yo has been and where he wants to go, Ne-Yo`s upcoming release is a masterful excursion through the heart and mind of America`s latest soul boy wonder. Watch Ne-Yo - Because Of You video and see if it's true.