Born on October 18, 1979, Shaffer Chimere Smith, widely recognized as Ne-Yo, is an accomplished American artist known for his roles as an R&B singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, and record producer. He first came into the spotlight as a songwriter with the 2004 hit "Let Me Love You" performed by Mario, leading to his successful association with Def Jam Records under the leadership of Jay-Z. This collaboration resulted in four acclaimed albums and numerous hits. Ne-Yo is celebrated for his tenor vocal range, distinctive performance style and fashion, as well as his versatile talent, earning him multiple awards including three Grammy Awards.

His initial single "Stay" featuring Peedi Peedi, released in 2005, received a moderate response, but his 2006 single "So Sick" achieved widespread acclaim, topping the Billboard Hot 100. This track was a precursor to his debut album, "In My Own Words" (2006), which was a commercial and critical success, reaching the top of the Billboard 200 and achieving platinum status in various countries.

His follow-up album, "Because of You" (2007), also topped the Billboard 200 and won a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. His third album, "Year of the Gentleman" (2008), continued his success streak with further Grammy nominations and platinum certifications. It featured hit singles like "Closer" and "Miss Independent," both earning Grammy nods.

With "Libra Scale" (2010), his fourth album, Ne-Yo saw a decline in sales despite topping the UK R&B charts. His fifth album, "R.E.D." (2012), included the internationally successful single "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)", which achieved significant sales milestones. He continued his musical journey with "Non-Fiction" (2015), and "Good Man" (2018), his seventh studio album.

Apart from music, Ne-Yo has also been a judge on the reality show "World of Dance" (2017-2020) and competed in "The Masked Singer UK" in 2021, finishing second. His ninth studio album, "Self Explanatory," was released in July 2022.

Ne-Yo's influence in the music industry is significant, with 29 million certified albums and singles sold in the US as per the Recording Industry Association of America. He has been recognized by Billboard for his summer hits and has achieved five No. 1 singles in the UK, demonstrating his enduring popularity and impact on contemporary music.