By Patrick Luce Aug 21, 2008, 13:23 GMT
Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Ne-Yo has announced the release of a new studio album, ‘Yea of the Gentleman,’ arriving in stores on Sept. 16th - with the first single “Closer” already certified gold for selling more than 600,000 copies.
The single was also nominated for “Best Dancing in a Video” award at this year’s MTV VMAs. It has also scored a No. 1 placing on the Billboard Dance Radio Chart. The follow-up single, “Miss Independent,” is the No. 1 most added at radio.
From a press release:
Grammy award winning, multi- platinum singer/songwriter and Def Jam recording artist Ne-Yo is set to release his third album ‘Year of the Gentleman’ on September 16th. Currently charting at number ten (10) on the Billboard Hot 100, Ne-Yo’s first single, the international club smash “Closer” is certified gold, selling over 600,000 copies, is currently # 1 on the Billboard Dance Radio Chart and landed the #1 spot on the UK charts . The video for the single is also nominated for Best Dancing in a Video Award for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.
‘Year of the Gentleman’ is Ne-Yo’s ode to the style, respect and grace of the Rat Pack "For me, the sharpness of Sammy and Sinatra is the kind of style I strive for in clothes and music. Year of the Gentleman is named in honor of those guys," states Ne-Yo, a Las Vegas native.
Ne-Yo’s new single “Miss Independent,” written by Ne-Yo and produced by Stargate is gaining major airplay nationwide and is the #1 most added at urban radio with over 8 million listeners in one week. The video, which was recently shot in LA by director Chris Robinson, is themed after the hit movie “Boomerang” and features Gabriel Union, Keri Hilson and Lauren London.
The video will premiere on BET’s Access Granted on August 21st, followed by a BET special every hour on the hour of "Miss Independent" on August 22nd.
‘Year of the Gentleman’ is the perfect blend of that distinctive European sound and American Soul.
"As a songwriter as well as a singer, I think it's important to cast my words wide. I have traveled the world, and I want to bring that across in the material. Year of the Gentleman is a worldly album," says Ne-Yo.
Ne-Yo's upcoming TV appearances include a "Closer" performance on MTV's FNMTV on August 22nd, a special TODAY SHOW outdoor performance on September 1st and performances on ELLEN and Jimmy Kimmel LIVE.
While preparing for the release of the album, Ne-Yo has been busy. He has been in the studio recording with artists such as New Kids on the Block, Michael Bolton and Jennifer Hudson, while enjoying the success of Rihanna’s #1 single “Take A Bow” in which he penned. Most recently, he was recruited to rewrite the jingle for the Wrigley’s Big Red campaign.
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