By Matthew DeMarco
The Chronicle: First and foremost, how is the tour going so far?
Ne-Yo: It’s going pretty well. The tour just started a few days ago, and we’re in Philly now. Still a couple of bugs to work out, but we’re getting there.
TC: Well, that’s how it is for all tours, right? By the middle of the tour, everything’s perfect.
NY: Exactly.
TC: How exactly did you end up hooking up with Alicia Keys; you haven’t written anything for her in the past, have you?
NY: I have no idea how I got on this tour. [Laughs] You’re right, I haven’t written anything for her before. I just go where my manager tells me to go.
TC: Do you plan on working on a song/album with her in the future? With your song writing and her piano playing, you guys could make some sick stuff.
NY: I’m all for working with her. It’s definitely a possibility. I have my own studio now in Atlanta, so anything’s possible.
TC: You won the 2008 Grammy for “Best Contemporary R&B Album.” How’d that make you feel to beat such big talents as Akon and Fantasia for this award?
NY: The Grammy’s the big one, you know? No disrespect to the other awards, the MTV Music Awards, the American Music Awards, the BET’s. But the Grammys are as big as it gets. My mom was there with me, so it was very special for me.
TC: Your new album, “Year of the Gentleman” is due out in June. What can we expect from this album? Is it anything like “Because of You”?
NY: It’s very different, not like “Because of You” at all. It’s not as urban. There’s a little bit of urban but I’ve been experimenting with different types of music. I have some House music on there; my first single from the album, “Closer,” is a House song. So this album’s different.
TC: You’ve written some great stuff for some great artists-Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mario-and now you’re writing stuff for Michael Jackson’s new album. How does it feel to be so demanded in the music world?
NY: It’s a great feeling. I’ve been in the business for 12 years, and finally everything’s finally coming together. I’m truly blessed.
TC: How do you write a song for someone else, compared to when you write one for yourself?
NY: You have to be careful when you’re writing for someone else because you don’t know what they want to say, so you have to be careful writing because you don’t know if they’ll want to sing what you wrote. When I write for myself it’s easier because I obviously know what I want to say, and I know what I’m comfortable singing.
TC: I know you’re a big supporter of Obama. Do you still support him after all the controversy regarding his pastor?
NY: Well, you know there’s no such thing as the “perfect candidate.” Everybody’s got their problems in the past. What’s important is that he’s a leader, and that’s what we need right now. So yeah, I still support him.
TC: Any advice for any aspiring musicians back at Hofstra?
NY: Know the business that you’re getting into. This business has lots of snakes in the grass, so be careful or you will get bit. Learn the business, and don’t let yourself get taken advantage of.
(defjam.com)