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Ne-Yo to head up Motown A&R team
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 26 January 2012
R&B type Ne-Yo is giving up his day job at Def Jam to become Senior VP of A&R at another Universal subsidiary, Motown, which, as previously reported, has been having an executive rejig of late. Ne-Yo will also release his fifth album via the label later this year, which presumably means he’s in charge of telling himself if his new songs aren’t good enough. I hope he’s not too hard on himself.
Barry Weiss, the Universal chief who oversees Island Def Jam, Motown and Universal Republic, told Billboard: “His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark. But this move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo as both an artist and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012”.
Ne-Yo added: “I’m honoured that I’ve been given such a prestigious title and trusted with such responsibility; though terrified because I know that I’ll be playing this role in the fashion of one of my career role models, Mr Smokey Robinson – these are big shoes to fill. But trust me, I can handle it”.
As well as preparing a new album and overseeing Motown’s A&R department, Ne-Yo will also co-star in new film ‘Red Tails’ later this year, and appear on the US version of TV talent show ‘The Voice’ as a mentor.