Shaffer Chimere Smith (born October 18, 1979), known professionally as Ne-Yo ( NEE-yoh), is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as a preeminent figure in 2000s R&B music, he is the recipient of numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards. He gained recognition for his songwriting abilities following the success of his first major credit, Mario's 2004 single "Let Me Love You". Its release prompted a meeting between Ne-Yo and Def Jam's then-president Jay-Z, resulting in a contract in... [more on Wikipedia]