Ne-yo

Eagerly awaited is the coming over of Ne-Yo in January 2010 which indeed promises to start the New Year with a big bang. Ne-Yo is of course the Ameircan pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor Shaffer Chimere Smith. His show aptly entitled, “Ne-Yo Live In Manila” will be held on Jan. 9, 2010.

Get to know more of the music icon from the following:

Ne-Yo emerged into the recording industry as a member of the Las Vegas-based Quartet Envy. After the group disbanded in 2000, Ne-Yo was signed up Columbia Records, but after recording his first album, was dropped from the label before he could even release it. American singer Marques Houston happened to hear one of Ne-Yo’s tracks, “That Girl,” which was supposed to be the latter’s debut single off his then-unreleased album.

Houston re-recorded “That Girl” and released it as a single to his 2003 album MH. The release of the song led to Ne-Yo being recognized as a top songwriter.

For the next two years, Ne-Yo continued writing songs, some of which have not been officially released. He contributed songs to American singer Teedra Moses’s 2004 album “Complex Simplicity,” Christina Milian’s “It’s About Time,” and the American boy band Youngstown, though all of which failed to give Ne-Yo much attention from the mainstream. Ne-Yo has also contributed songs to American singer Mary J. Blige, B2K, Faith Evans and Musiq, among others.

Ne-Yo broke into the industry after “Let Me Love You,” a song he wrote for American singer Mario, reached No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100, and later stayed on the top spot for nine weeks. After the successful release, Tina Davis, former A&R representative for Def Jam Recordings, arranged an informal meeting with label head L.A. Reid.

Originally, Ne-Yo was not seeking a new contract, but, after he had performed to them, he was signed up by American hip-hop artist Jay-Z, then-CEO of Def Jam. “Ne-Yo” was coined by a producer Ne-Yo once worked with, Big D Evans, because Evans claimed that Ne-Yo sees music as Neo. As a joke, Evans started calling him Ne-Yo until everybody was accustomed to it.

Since his debut, Ne-Yo has had five top 10 songs on The Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist and two No. 1 albums on The Billboard 200. Ne-Yo has also amassed a catalog of chart-topping songs that he has written for other artists.

Ne-Yo broke into the recording industry as a songwriter, penning the hit “Let Me Love You” for singer Mario. The single’s successful release in the US prompted an informal meeting between Ne-Yo and Def Jam’s label head, and signing a recording contract.

In 2006, he released his debut album, “In My Own Words,” which contained the US No. 1 hit “So Sick.”

Then in 2007, he released his sophomore album, “Because Of You” which contained the US Top 3 hit, “Because Of You.” In 2008, he released his third album, “Year Of The Gentleman,” which contained the Top 10 hits “Closer” and “Miss Independent.”

Ne-Yo’s third album, “Year Of The Gentleman,” was first released on Sept. 11, 2008, in Japan. The album sold 250,000 copies in its first week in the US, debuting on The Billboard 200 at No. 2.

Reviews for the album were positive: In one of which, Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone Magazine wrote of him: “Actually a superb concept album about what a great boyfriend he [Ne-Yo] can be.”

The first two singles, “Closer” and “Miss Independent,” have peaked at No. 7 on The Billboard Hot 100. The album was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B album and Album Of The Year at the 2009 Grammy Awards, “Closer” for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and “Miss Independent” for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. “Year Of The Gentleman” has been certified platinum By Riaa for a shipment of more than one million copies. The third single, “Mad,” peaked at No. 11 on The Billboard Hot 100.

In September 2009, Ne-Yo released his greatest hits album “Ne-Yo: The Collection.” The album was also released with a limited edition CD+DVD Edition complete with the music videos of singles.

His latest single “I Never Knew I Needed,” original soundtrack of Walt Disney Pictures animated feature “The Princess And The Frog” is now available at all record bars nationwide.

Ne-Yo has also written songs for Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Anastacia, Ciara, Corbin Bleu, and Enrique Iglesias. He also collaborated with Lindsay Lohan on her new material, having already finished “Bossy,” a pre-single for her new album “Spirit In The Dark.” Ne-Yo confirmed that he had been contacted by producer Will.I.Am to work on what would have been Michael Jackson’s new album.

Ne-Yo is backed up by an entourage of more than 30 artists composed of band members, dancers, lighting designers and special effects personnel. The 1 ½ hour show promises to sizzle with Eurasia, a group of beautiful, talented performers as his front act.

Special early bird tickets are available at Ticket World and at Alchemy and at Ticket World until Dec. 16 only. With prices at VVIP – P7,500, VIP – P5,500, Platinum – P4,000, Gold – P2,500, Silver – P1,500, Bronze – P500.

Tickets are available at Ticket World and at Alchemy in Silver City Corner Julia Vargas Ave.

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An emotional Mommy D  meets idol Imelda Papin

Mommy Dionisia was teary-eyed and emotional when she finally met her idol Imelda Papin in Las Vegas, Nevada. The celebrity mom was fetched by a limousine, which was sent by her idol, and was driven to the Orleans Hotel and Casino where she was treated to a sumptuous dinner.

The international recording artist and music icon has been reaping praises and adulation for her world-class performances at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, where she is the only Filipino included in its roster of international artists such as Englebert Himperdinck, Gladys Knight, Neil Sedaka, Melissa Manchester, Boys II Men and Paul Anka, among others.

Imelda remarked that she was as thrilled as Mommy D in meeting her, adding that the latter should be commended for raising up and guiding her children towards the right path and direction. Now known by her other moniker “Pacmom,” she has boasted that her ipod is filled with her idol’s songs, where listening to it is her way of relaxing. She even showed her idol her terpsichorean skills by doing some nifty dance moves and finally launching into a duet with her idol with the era-defining hit “Bakit.”

The two were also present during the mini concert of the newly crowned WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. The Undisputed Jukebox Queen happily reported that she has recorded a duet with Mommy D, who gamely showed her musical pipes under 618 International Records, a division of 618 International Entertainment, Inc. Imelda also recorded her latest CD “Voice of the Heart” under the same recording company, which is distributed in the United States and Canada, while Philippine distribution is under Viva Records with the title “I Love You.”

Hall of Famer Imelda arrived Sunday to prepare for her forthcoming performance with Grammy winner Melissa Manchester. It will be held at the PICC on Dec. 19. This is a special Christmas show that will surely delight fans and music lovers. The two had a successful three-day concert at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, which despite simultaneous shows from Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart and Donny and Marie Osmond, they drew in the crowds. The two international music icons were accorded a special commendation in fitting ceremonies by the mayor of Las Vegas due to their successful show.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, Nov. 30, go to Justice Andres Narvasa, Rosalinda L. Orosa,Kristine Yang, Ladine Roxas, Norma Fontanilla, Justa K. Tantoco, Ma. Martha Sibal-Bonoan, Marian Campos, Bonn Mowie C. Lasaga, Lynn Villarosa, Lourdes S. Bautista, Dr. Alex Tensuan, California-based Lutgarda P. Landingin and Vincent P. Tuazon, Atty. Rudegelio D. Tacorda and twin brother Ronald of San Francisco, CA. and Ms. Cristina Decena, head of Rural Bank of Norzagaray… Happy wedding anniversary to Jun and Norie Basuel…