Will Ne-Yo's move help Carib acts?

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer Writer

Thursday, February 02, 2012

RHYTHM and Blues singer/songwriter Ne-Yo has joined the roster at Universal Music's Motown Records. He was previously signed to Def Jam Records, another Universal subsidiary.

The Grammy-winning artiste who is known for hits including So Sick, Miss Independent, Because of You, Closer and Hate That I Love You (featuring Rihanna) has also been appointed Senior Vice President of Artiste and Repertoire at the legendary label.

The move means Ne-Yo's Compound Entertainment label will be distributed by Motown.

According to a report on Billboard.com, Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown Chairman/CEO, Barry Weiss, said the appointment is strategic.

"This move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo as both an artiste and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012," Weiss is quoted as saying.

Last June, Ne-Yo launched Compound Island, a subsidiary of his Compound Entertainment label, here in Jamaica. At the launch he told this writer that he planned on signing Jamaican and Caribbean acts. However, more than seven months later, no artiste has been signed.

Stacey Ingram, a representative for Compound Island, told the Observer that, "We haven't finalised anything. It (signings) may happen and may not happen."

Motown has in the past worked with Jamaican artistes Richie Stephens and Stephen Marley.

On the weekend, Compound Island hosted beach and cocktail parties in Montego, as well as the premiere of George Lucas' latest film Red Tail, in which Ne-Yo appears. The singer was in Jamaica for all three events.

Last year Ne Yo was featured on Miami rapper Pitbull's smash hit, Give Me Everything, which was a big seller in the United States and Britain.

His four albums to date, including 2006's In My Own Words, have sold platinum (over one million copies).

His fifth album and first for Motown titled The Cracks in Mr Perfect is due later this year.