Following the commercial disappointment that was 2010′s ‘Libra Scale‘, Ne-Yo is hoping to change the approach to his next release due this fall. The singer recently sat down with VIBE magazine to discuss exactly what those changes would be.
See what songwriter had to say after the jump:
“Putting together this new album has definitely been a journey. With my last album not doing as well as the previous three, it gave me time to sit back and look at the image I portray and what I put out there. I felt like people were looking at me like he’s too f-cking nice, it has to be fake. Nobody’s that damn nice all the time.
I call myself protecting my fans [by] not showing that side, because it’s not a pretty side. You’ll definitely see a side of me on this album no one has seen before. People are either going to love it, hate it or not going to be ready for it. I’ll be back in September.”
The ‘Sexy Love’ singer also shared his thoughts on Euro-pop, R&B’s current status, and Beyonce being labeled as the next Michael Jackson. You can read the interview in its entirety here.
31 COMMENTS
Kathy
June 25, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Just go back to r&b…
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ChrisJ
June 25, 2011 at 10:49 pm
he better do something..i was disappointed with “libra scale”..he can recover
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Jayla
June 25, 2011 at 10:51 pm
AGREE^^^^^^ R&B PLEASE!
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Imgunnacheckuboo
June 25, 2011 at 11:02 pm
What ev’s, I’m just waiting for this beautiful goddess to release her album!
http://laydeeali88.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/829481242lxs1.jpg?w=450
It’s a shame the world at large has yet to experience this beauty! The gorgeousness runs in this family’s blood!
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/dymechik721/neyosis.jpg
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Legendtina4life
June 25, 2011 at 11:14 pm
He needs to stay R&B. Dont pull an Usher
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Strange4sumchange
June 25, 2011 at 11:22 pm
so i guess im the only one who thinks that album wasnt that bad huh.. ive herd far worse shit than the songs on libra scale from other wack artists you guys say are good. three of my favorite songs from ne-yo came from that album so i really dont understand why everyone thinks this is his worst. well wateever. roll on september….
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AyYiYi
June 25, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Bad boy, bad side? Ne-Yo, YOU ARE 30! Make grown folk music, and speaking of Usher he’s going azz backwards. Y’all rich enough, bring r&b back, i cant get jiggy to this over-popped electro dance music ALL OF THE TIME. Give me meaning and substance, where is Boyz II Men [Wayan?]…when you need ‘em. Miguel come show these ‘Im rich so I fell off ‘ coons R&B in 2011!
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Jayla
June 25, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@AYYIYI
TOTALLY AGREE!!!
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mark ginnnis
June 26, 2011 at 12:11 am
His problem is that Libra Scale was too grandiose what with the concept and all. Dont be gangsta it dont fit- what with him being all Tangy .
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King B
June 26, 2011 at 12:19 am
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…
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wateva
June 26, 2011 at 12:26 am
SHOW YOUR BAD BOY SIDE?? MISS SUGAR COOKIE, GIRL HOW YOU GONNA DO THAT, HUH?? What are you gonna name your next album, VERSATILE???
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bey'knight
June 26, 2011 at 12:33 am
wat the hell is getting drunk on? who says he’s too nice, there’s a reason he’s caled neyosha, cus he’s always bitchin bou other artists in his interviews n gettin smack from it. besides we’ve seen thsi happen before, inevitable stage in the metanorphosis of an ambitious songbird. funny enough what i found repulsive in his last era was the triviality and corniness in his videos and i see corny written all over these as well. am sure his “bad side” bals down to a throwing f-bombs here and there on the record, maybe get a few tats oh wait he already has thos. i’ll be watchin ….. from a distance
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Reader
June 26, 2011 at 12:36 am
This is quite tragic, he’s spent his entire career in the spotlight portrayed as the R&B gentleman and now because hes scared of the alleged gay rumours he wants people to know he’s the “bad” guy – oooffftt!!!! why would anyone be so eager to show the bad side of themselves anyway?!?! its obvious he has masculinity issues… he shouldnt though – did anyone see that photo of him rocking the inside out baby blue tee posing like an americas next top model contestant at a Z-list movie premiere, pretty bad ass right? ne yo is like the sylvester stallone of R&B you just didnt know it yet!!
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sarah
June 26, 2011 at 1:42 am
i CANNOT WAIT for his album!!!!!! yo, i heard this new girl from Detroit named Phoenix. SONG IS CRAZY!! Listen to it here http://www.phoenixmoss.bandcamp.com
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Jasmine
June 26, 2011 at 1:53 am
I guess he wants to channel his Sasha Fierce side. I think he is a better songwriter than singer/performer. He should not give up on songwriting for other artists in persuit of being a more commercial artist. He should do both or just focus more on songwriting.
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SHESDUMB THE OFFICIAL SLAYER OF "SHIT" AND "HAIKU"
June 26, 2011 at 2:16 am
“Ne-Yo To Debut ‘Bad Boy Side’ On Next Album”
PLEASE DONT NEYO
“BEYAWNCE THE NEXT MICHAEL JACKSON”
NO
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-_-
June 26, 2011 at 3:26 am
LOL bad boy side…not with that nutt sqeezin voice
more boy bye
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Vegas girl
June 26, 2011 at 3:30 am
I HATE when someone calls themselves a bad boy/girl…it’s lame!
I’ve never heard anyone speak about Neyo’s “too nice” side so I don’t know exactly where he’s receiving his info. Very calculated image change but really stupid to announce it because it looks even more calculated. Stick to what you are good at Neyo, not sure if you fit a bad boy of r n b title but I guess he’s going to do what he’s going to do.
I agree with jasmine, maybe Neyo should Do more songwriting.
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number1k9
June 26, 2011 at 3:37 am
Sounds stupid.
He better hope this doesn’t flop as hard as that nonsense known as ‘Libra Scale’
Why doesn’t he release the music that made him famous and loved, for at least one more album, and then try to experiment sound wise-like you already had one musical sound experimentation which failed, do you really want, need or can afford another!
hmmm.
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Yall Are Too Fake
June 26, 2011 at 4:15 am
NeYo- Baddest Bitch in the Game. The Queen NeYo slays your favs.
Lol.
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VA STAND UP!!
June 26, 2011 at 4:43 am
Lol! It’s funny cause I remember when he was doing inteviews for his last album he kept saying how he was the ‘gentlemen’ and Trey Songz was the ‘sexy guy’ and so forth and so forth. Guess that didn’t work so now it’s out the window! Lol!
Actually, he’s kinda built his whole career and image on being the ‘gentlemen’ I don’t really know if people are gonna buy the ‘bad guy’ image from. I mean,I guess he can’t help the way he looks but he is one of the softest looking dudes in the industry. For him to try and be ‘bad’ will just look forced. IMO.
I cant judge anything until I’ve heard & Ne Yo is talented so who knows what he can come up with. Maybe he means his music will be a bit edgier, maybe his sound but I can’t see him cursin and all that in his music. That would just be too much. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
He can definitely make a comeback after his last album, just look at Chris! : D
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TeamBreezy_Takeover
June 26, 2011 at 4:50 am
Ne-Yo is an amazing singer/songwriter, but ‘Libra Scale’ wasn’t great at all. I would love for him to go back to the music that made him famous in the first place. In My Own Words….is a classic in my book
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Kathy
June 26, 2011 at 6:43 am
Yeah, why does keep strayin’ away from your roots. I mean, you can a little to experiment, but remember what you sold that the fans loved you for..
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IfierceMonster
June 26, 2011 at 6:53 am
Go back to R&B??? Are ya’ll fucking nuts! NOBODY is buying R&B these days!
And don’t nobody want to see Ne-Yosha go bad boy, no thanks!
It will NOT fit him!
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ASAP (As Sincere As Possible)
June 26, 2011 at 7:43 am
I think he’s just talking about the lyrics.Maybe instead of a “how much I love you, you’re the best “, he’ll pull a “bitch, you destroyed my life” kind of song.And it’s true that he’s been quite reluctant, so change is good.I appreciate his honesty, btw
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aisha
June 26, 2011 at 12:09 pm
LOL! I have nothing against B but she is FAR from being MJ! Ne-yo said it best- BLAH!
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Del
June 26, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Damn right he wants to channel his sasha fierce
Neyo is such a damn azz bitch
With his grapefruit head when the hats not on.
Ok so neyo wants to get ghetto fabulous on the
Rnb world please!!!!! Neyo get a lace front weave
Preferably blonde some boots and work it like
Queen bee cuz u no u wanna !!!!!
Neyo wants to show his bad side that vibe interview
Was helirous
Neyo just stick to songwriting cuz libria was a
Major fail!!!!!!! Lol
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Remey
June 26, 2011 at 1:40 pm
And this sounds like nothing other than a gimmick to sell. Libra Scales wasn’t terrible, but there comes a price and risk to change up your sound. Neyo had some decent songs, especially Champagne Life, but the album was everywhere like Aguilera’s Bionic.
“Bad Boy?” This should be interesting. I hate when artists think they have to have a gimmick to promote music. Some artists’ fans don’t have a clue what the singer’s personal life is like. A good example is John Legend….However, he continues to provide quality music. Neyo reminded me of this. I love Neyo, but I don’t know much about him which is fine. It was his music that attracted me….
But now…this Bad Boy image? Please
…..sigh
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mobwife....darn this goat hair, cough...baa
June 26, 2011 at 5:09 pm
I’m not really sure how to take his comments? O__0
I don’t see him as being “TOO NICE” of GUY! I have always seen him a tad jealous of Usher and Chris Brown while trying to cozy up next to Tray Songz (for whatever reason?)! I don’t know if ppl realistically saw him as all that positive or nice. I just remember he couldn’t stop publiclly bashing certain R&B artists which turns ppl off very quickly! Ne-Yoshe is actually a good talent who could stand on his own against anyone and have success, if he would learn to control his obvious jealousy of other artists!!
on a positive note: I can’t wait to hear it!!
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mobwife....darn this goat hair, cough...baa
June 26, 2011 at 5:36 pm
NOW, MR. NE-YO ON THIS WE ALL CAN SAY TRUE THAT….LOL!
Per VIBE.com:
Lastly, chime in on this debate: Is Beyoncé is the Michael Jackson of our generation?
Anybody trying to be the Michael Jackson of any period, it’s a losing battle. It’s not going to happen. There will only be one Michael Jackson. However, Beyoncé is definitely carving out her own place in history. So as opposed to her being the Michael Jackson of our generation, I feel like she’s trying to be the Beyoncé of our generation—whatever that may mean. “Michael Jackson of our Generation,” blah, forget that. We’re trying to carve out new spots in history. Michael Jackson was trying to be Michael Jackson. I feel like Beyoncé is trying to be Beyoncé, so that at some point in time somebody will put her name up next to Michael Jackson’s. I ain’t mad at her for that.
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Behind the Scenes: Ne-Yo – ‘The Way You Move’ (ft. Trey Songz & T-Pain ) | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. || Thirsty?
October 20, 2011 at 5:32 pm
[...] in a bid to charge up his ‘bad boy’ image, R&B crooner Ne-Yo has enlisted the help of fellow crooner Trey Songz and autotune-assisted [...]
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