Ne-Yo’s “Because of You” scores highest rhythm chart debut of career

With major radio airplay on over 60 Urban radio stations and 50 Rhythm stations in just two weeks, Def Jam recording artist Ne-Yo has earned the highest Rhythm chart debut of his career this week, entering at #29-bullet with “Because Of You,” his brand new single and the first track to be released from his hotly anticipated second album, due April 24th.“Because Of You” was the #1 most-added song on the Rhythm format after its impact date last week, virtually doubling its audience to 8 million from 4 million. The track impacted at Urban radio yesterday, where it was the # 1 most added and has an audience over 7.5 million. It is already # 62 bullet on the Hot 100 Airplay Chart w over 20 million in audience, increasing over 1,000 spins in one week. Early indications point to a huge explosion when the song impacts at Pop on March 5th. “Because Of You” debuted at #20-bullet on the AOL Top 40 Songs list, over 41,000 plays; and has had over 44,000 plays on Yahoo! Radio. The track is LIVE on 170 Clear Channel radio station websites (comprising Urban, Urban AC, Pop and Rhythmic stations).The multi-talented Grammy-nominated #1 RIAA platinum-selling artist Ne-Yo, named Male R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards, was one of the top success stories of 2006. His debut album ‘In My Own Words,’ nominated for a Grammy as Best Contemporary R&B Album, entered at #1 on the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, selling over 305,000 copies in it’s 1st week. It started late-2005 with Ne-Yo’s debut Def Jam single, “So Sick” (produced by Stargate). The album garnered two Grammy nominations for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the # 1 single “So Sick” and Best Contemporary R&B Album. Most recently, Ne-Yo is credited as co-writer of Beyoncé’s #1 single, “Irreplaceable.” “Irreplaceable” had just made its best audience week, which was the #2 highest total audience impressions in Nielsen- BDS history (i.e. since 1992). The song with the #3 all-time highest audience total was also co-written by Ne-Yo – namely Mario’s “Let Me Love You.”In addition to finishing his album, Ne-Yo is currently writing for Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Golden Globe winner, Oscar nominee; Jennifer Hudson. He also just made his big screen debut in the # 1 movie, Stomp The Yard.