Ne-Yo performs at Hofstra University’s Fall Fest 2022. // Photo courtesy of University Relations.
Shaffer Chimere Smith, also known as Ne-Yo, a singer, songwriter, actor, dancer and record producer, let Hofstra University students love him as the headliner of Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 1.
When Ne-Yo first wrote the song, “Let Me Love You” for Mario, an R&B artist, he was about 20 years old, around the age of most Hofstra students.
“The song hadn’t come out yet. I know distinctly when it came out I was at least 23, but I had written it at that time, and I was kind of in between,” Ne-Yo said. “I was trying to figure it out still, moving around, bouncing from studio to studio just trying to get in where I could fit in.”
Luke Farrell, an orientation leader and senior mass media and psychology double major, gave insight to how Ne-Yo was selected as the headliner at Fall Fest.
“We did a vote for orientation leaders, actually, to see who would want to come to Fall Fest, and Ne-Yo was one of the listings that [was] on there,” Farrell said. “I actually listened to him a lot during the pandemic quarantine time because I didn’t really have anything else to do, I might as well have listened to some Ne-Yo.”
About seven or eight people were on the list given to the orientation leaders for a vote, and this year’s performer for Fall Fest was their number one selected choice, according to Farrell.
Despite the chilly temperatures and on-and-off rain throughout the day, students, families and faculty huddled together in front of the stage waiting for Ne-Yo to perform.
“I’m looking forward to Ne-Yo being here,” said Carassa Kissoon, a senior biology major. “I know all of his songs, and it’s exciting. It’s a vibe.” After missing one Fall Fest due to the pandemic, Kissoon is happy that she gets to enjoy one more before she graduates.
Entering the stage in a white hat, shirt and shoes complimented by a jean jacket, Ne-Yo and his dancers were in sync with matching outfits. Starting with his hit single “Miss Independent,” Ne-Yo encouraged the crowd to sing along with him. Making heart gestures to the crowd, the singer-songwriter danced while the audience sang “Because of You.”
Hofstra students gathered at Fall Fest enjoyed watching Ne-Yo perform in the rain. // Photo courtesy of University Relations.
Ne-Yo thanked everyone for standing out in the rain to see him.
While performing “So Sick,” Ne-Yo had the crowd participate in a part of the song he calls “Fly Away,” when you put one hand in the air and sway from right to left.
Promoting his newly released album “Self Explanatory,” Ne-Yo brought Zae France, an R&B featured artist on the track, to the stage for them to sing “Layin’ Low.”
Switching gears with his feel good song “One In A Million,” the artist threw a shirt into the crowd for one lucky fan.
Ne-Yo said that the weirdest thing he has encountered as an artist was having objects thrown at him during performances.
“I’ve gotten very strange things thrown in my direction while on stage. Everything from bras to panties to prosthetics – Yes, prosthetics,” Ne-Yo said. “Somebody threw their leg on stage; they wanted me to sign it. At the time it was ‘You should let me love … that’s a leg. Whose leg is this? Is this someone’s leg?’ It was weird.”
Ne-Yo did in fact, sign the leg.
Students threw objects such as sweatshirts at the stage in hopes of acquiring the artist’s signature. Luckily no legs were thrown this time.
As a songwriter, Ne-Yo has written many songs for artists including “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé and “Knock You Down” by Keri Hilson. Both songs were performed by the artist in his “Did you know I wrote this?” segment of the show.
Before ending the concert, Ne-Yo called all his dancers to the front of the stage and introduced them, as the crowd cheered.
The artist gave advice for students who went to college to pursue their dreams.
“Be unapologetically whoever the hell you are,” he said. “Whoever that is, that thing that might have got you made fun of as a young kid will definitely be the thing that will turn you into a millionaire later on. Individuality counts. Do not blend in. Do not fit in.”