Shaffer Chimer Smith also known as Ne-Yo made his debut as a singer back in 2006 with the song So Sick. The song which was his therapy for a heartbreak became a huge commercial success. His emotional lyrics caught on to fans from everywhere and eventually establishing him as a singer, writer as well as a performer. Malaysian Today caught up with the three-time Grammy Award winner, singer songwriter dubbed the 'Gentlemen' on his first ever stint here at Sunway Lagoon.

Q. Has making music always been your ambition?
A: Music has always been my plan in life- I didn't know what exactly I wanted to do but I knew that the music business is where I'd end up at. I had an art scholarship when I was in college but I gave it up to pursue my passion for music.

Q. Tell us about your break in the industry. Did it come easy?
A: I knew I had a knack for composing and joined a publishing house where I started writing for other artistes. It was then that I received a few compliments about my singing ability the demos. Being really green and passionate about working in the industry I jumped in without questioning or thinking too much when Columbia records asked me to sign up with their them. What I didn't realise was that I was signed up to be one of their 'manufactured artistes'. I had to say yes to everything they wanted and wasn't really allowed the freedom to express myself as a songwriter. When I raised my concern, I was immediately put on the shelf and wasn't given any opportunity to work. It was like I was wasting away.

Luckily, the label agreed to release me after some persuasion and I moved back to writing songs for other artistes before singing up with Def Jam. Here, I was able to express myself and I had the freedom to pick and choose the type of work I wanted to produce.

Q. Do you remember the first time you heard your song on air?
A: I was in my beaten up Honda driving somewhere when I heard this familiar tune on the radio. I wasn't able to move at the time. I was ecstatic but at the same time shocked and upset when I realised that it wasn't my voice that was carrying the tune. I made a few calls and found out that the label that I was signed on to earlier had sold my track to an upcoming star, Marques Huston. The song, That Girl received immense airplay and as gutted as I was that I wasn't the performer of the song, it got me recognition as a song writer. Before I knew it I was writing songs for other acts like Nivea, Faith Evans, B2K and even Mary J. Blige. 

Q. Do you plan to stick to R&B or are there artistes from other genres that you would like to work with?
A: I would credit my passion and knowledge in music all to my mum. Her taste in music was so vast; she would listen to Jackson one day, Prince on another and Sam Jr. the next. The different styles of music is what I believe have made me the musician and person I am today. Personally, I think sticking to one sort of music will totally starve my artistic soul. There are definitely artistes from other genres I would like to collaborate with- Tim Mc Graw , Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood , John Mayer and Green Day  to name a few. But yes, I would like to be as diverse as possible and I am looking forward to working with more artistes in the near future.

Q. Think Ne-Yo and the first image that comes to mind is that you're the 'gentleman'. How did this develop to become your identity?
A: I would define a gentleman as a person with integrity, class and manners. He's the kind of guy that can walk into a room full of strangers but still be able to hold his own. He is one who knows the right things to say and do in any situation. All this comes from the inside and it's eternal, not something that can be put on.

Growing up in a house full of women taught me something important; always respect women. I learnt how to differentiate between a lady and a woman. I am all about giving respect to the woman and that is what I try to bring out in my music. I want my mum and my grandmother to be able to listen to my songs without feeling awkward. I think it's one thing to sing songs that are sexy and it's another to sing songs that are 'dirty'. I want my fans of any age to be able to listen to my music and feel at ease. That is just the way I am.

Q. Ne- Yo are you currently dating anyone?
A: A gentleman never tells.