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Welcome to another episode of We Sound Crazy, your official backstage pass to all things music and culture!  This week, we are honored to welcome R&B-Pop icon, Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and genius, Ne-Yo to the podcast. 

In this extensive conversation, Ne-Yo shares insights from his remarkable 20-year career, discussing his approach to touring then versus now, emphasizing his commitment to live performances over lip-syncing.  He reflects on the recent "Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Tour" with special guest Mario, highlighting the amazing experience and the powerful moment of performing "You Should Let Me Love You" with Mario for the first time. 

Ne-Yo delves into his early career, including his challenging experience with Columbia Records and the creative freedom he found at Def Jam under L.A. Reid, which shaped his debut album.   He discusses the evolution of R&B, the importance of male vulnerability in songwriting, and how it is a subject matter he still wishes to explore in his music.

He and Chuck Harmony recount the serendipitous story of their first collaboration, which sparked Harmony's career and led to Ne-Yo writing hits for Céline Dion, Mary J. Blige, and Janet Jackson in a single night!  Ne-Yo also shares the creation process behind his own hits like "So Sick" and "Closer," revealing how L.A. Reid strategically planned the release of "Stay" before "So Sick" as a "jab before the knockout punch." 

He recounts the surprising origin of Beyoncé's "Flaws and All," initially intended for Britney Spears, and how Rihanna’s "Good Girl Gone Bad" album also came from songs originally written for Britney.  Ne-Yo shares his desire to collaborate with Stevie Wonder, who, along with Michael Jackson, influenced his acceptance of his own voice.  He also tells the wild story of his group Envy's disastrous performance on Showtime at the Apollo.  Finally, Ne-Yo addresses his personal life, discussing his decision to be open about his polyamorous relationships and offering candid advice on honesty and living authentically.  This is one for the books! So you don't want to miss it.  Stop what every else you're doing and press play now!

We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture.

Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team!

Director: Aaron Walton

Camera Op: Darius Jones, Aaron Walton

Editing: Lamont Baldwin

Producer: Aaron Walton

Show Producer/Remixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson

Assistant: Brittany Guydon

Photography: Darius Jones 

Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City.  

Special thanks to Ne-Yo and the Compound Entertainment team!

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