After nearly six successful years with Def Jam, Ne-Yo is jumping ship to sign with Motown/Universal. the surprise move will see the Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter moving to the storied label as not only an artist, but as the Senior Vice President of A&R.
“His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark, but this move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo as both an artist and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012,” said Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown chairman and CEO Barry Weiss to Billboard.
His departure will also bring his Compound Entertainment imprint to the label, and marks the second major appointment by Universal Music Group. Last September, Ethiopia Habtemariam was named senior VP of Motown, formerly headed by president and veteran music executive, Sylvia Rhone.
On his new appointment, Ne-Yo stated, “I’m honored that I’ve been given such a prestigious title and trusted with such responsibility; terrified because I know that playing this role in the fashion of one of my career role models, mr. Smokey Robinson — these are big shoes to fill. but trust, I can handle it.”
Ne-Yo Leaves Def Jam To Become Artist and A&R Executive at Motown
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