After years of ups and downs, Motown, the legendary black music label is taking a chance on a young pop star. Ne-Yo is not only joining the label but he will also become the senior VP of A&R. MTV reports:
Since Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in 1959, the iconic label’s roster has included marquee acts such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Temptations, and now Ne-Yo has officially joined the Motown family.
The Grammy Award-winning singer (and co-star of the George Lucas-produced “Red Tails”) has moved from Def Jam to Motown Records, according to a statement sent to MTV News on Wednesday (January 25). Not only that, Ne-Yo will also take over as the label’s senior vice president of A&R.
“I’m honored that I¹ve been given such a prestigious title and trusted with such responsibility; terrified because I know that playing this role in the fashion of one of my career role models, Mr. Smokey Robinson — these are big shoes to fill. But trust, I can handle it,” the singer said in the statement.
Ne-Yo released his debut In My Own Words on Def Jam in 2006 and dropped three subsequent albums with the powerhouse hip-hop label. The singer/songwriter’s fifth LP will now come through Motown, which, like Def Jam, falls under the Universal umbrella. In addition to his artistry and ear for talent as an A&R, Ne-Yo will also bring his Compound Entertainment imprint over to Motown.
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