‘Stay With Me’ singer Ne-Yo has certainly stayed low-key as of late months after swapping mixtape plans with the preparation of a full LP.  Despite generating moderate buzz for his Trey Songz-assisted single ‘The Way You Move’, the R&B crooner has remained fairly mute on the musical tip since the under-performance of 2010’s ‘Libra Scale’.

Albeit reportedly readying his return to radio later this year, Ne-Yo starts off his 2012 with his cinematic debut in the George Lucas-directed ‘Red Tails’.  The semi-biographical film, boasting an all-star cast featuring Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding, Jr., sees the crooner take flight in new ways as the group have joined to depict the famous story of the Tuskeegee Airmen.

Already jetting up the promotional trail for ‘Tails’, last night saw the singer drop by Jimmy Kimmel Live to give fans a few sneak peeks of the film.  Also, chatting it up with BET, watch this clip and find out what Ne-Yo had to say about divas Beyonce, Celine Dion, and Mary J. Blige after the jump:

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NBC’s ‘The Voice’ just got a whole lot bigger.

Yes, in what will sure to have the folk  over at American Idol and X Factor feeling all kinds of competitive, today saw NBC announce news that will viewers of the hit show even more of a reason to tune in.

Ne-Yo, Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie, Baby Face, Jewel, Alanis Morisette and Robin Thicke have signed on to star in show’s second season.

Full story below…

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It’s been a whirlwind few years for Adrienne Bailon.

Having risen to prominence as part of R&B outfit 3LW in the early 00’s, the singer’s big break came when Disney snapped her up to front (what would become) the wildly successful Cheetah Girls.

Yet, as the age old adage goes, all good things must come to an end; with that ‘end’ coming in 2008 when the Cheetah’s disbanded.

And while some members struggled to find their footing (with less than ‘Spectacular’ results), Bailon was swiftly snapped up by Island  Def Jam. A deal That Grape Juice learned has since gone sour. Nonetheless, the future still looks bright for the 28 year old. Find out why below…

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Congratulations are most certainly in order for Pop maestro Ne-Yo.

For it has been confirmed that Monday 10th October saw the birth of his second child with partner Monyetta Shaw,who gave the performer his first child  just eleven months ago.

The good news comes just weeks after the couple announced their engagement and just days after he confirmed the name of his new album to That Grape Juice backstage at the ‘Michael Jackson Forever’ Tribute concert.

Source.

Well done!

Yesterday, we reported that ‘Miss Independent’ maestro Ne-Yo was soon readying to make longtime girlfriend, Monyetta Shaw, the new Mrs. Smith.  The web was set abuzz with news from her reps confirming to US Weekly Magazine that the two were engaged and expecting their second child.

However, now reps from the singer’s camp are denying the claim stating:

“Although the couple is expecting again, there is no engagement just yet.”

(source)

In related news, the singer is indeed expecting his new album and mixtape to arrive in coming months.  Trips down the aisle, however, will have to wait.

Your thoughts?

Check out R&B staple Ne-Yo treating fans at a football game yesterday to a performance of the US National Anthem.

Overlooked by former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the ‘Irreplaceable‘ writer paid tribute to those who had lost their lives on 9/11 the best way he knew how, delivering a moving vocal for all in attendance.

Watch below…

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As reported here, ‘So Sick’ singer Ne-Yo joins fellow R&B crooners Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and Lloyd in trading in their signature stylings for a hopefully temporary tread into hip-hop.  Spotted most recently at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards by VIBE magazine, the ‘Miss Independent’ performer mentioned his upcoming mixtape as well as nearing completion of his new album.

Find out what other news Ne-Yo shared after the jump:

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It seems R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, has caught the mixtape bug, like contemporaries Chris Brown and Trey Songz. In addition to a role in the upcoming film ‘Redtails’, Ne-Yo plans to release the free set of music, entitled ‘101’, before  his fifth studio album hits shelves this Fall.

Check out details below…

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2005 saw R&B crooner Ne-Yo burst onto the music scene – as an artist. Previously known as a songwriter (having co-penned Mario‘s ‘Let Me Love You’, which stayed at the top of the Billboard for 9 weeks), he released his first album, ‘In My Own Words’, to wide critical and commercial acclaim. As such,  the LP’s final single, ‘Sexy Love’, will make the object of this week’s From The Vault.

A global summer hit, ‘Love’ established Ne-Yo as a prolific and viable act after the touchdown that was ‘So Sick’, his breakthrough single. Indeed, as history has proven with acts such as Lil Mama, Mims and the underrated Amerie; it seems to be quite the task to sustain as much as half the momentum after a smash a la ‘So Sick’.

On the song and its accompanying visual, Ne-Yo is addicted to his lady that he doesn’t care about anything that doesn’t revolve around the two of them.

Mr. Smith delivers, with the song, smooth high-pitched vocals (a nod to his idol Michael Jackson) over a then-fresh sounding production courtesy of Stargate (who in 2006 were still seen as up-and-comers in the U.S. Fast forward 4 years and they are Stateside Pop royalty – a title they’ve long held everywhere else.)

With new material on the way and after the disappointment that was ‘Libra Scale’, his fourth LP, we seriously hope the Grammy winning singer-songwriter has retrieved his mojo. For, he is among the better talents, alongside Chris Brown and Ciara, to have emerged from the music and entertainment scene since the mid 00’s.

Your thoughts?

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:

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Once a dominant force, Ashanti‘s star – love her or loathe her – has undeniably dimmed over the years.

Hoping to turn the tide, the Muli-Platinum selling singer is gearing up for the release of her 5th studio album – due later this year. Hence, so as to wet the apetite of fans, the 30 year old stopped by US Weekly‘s offices this week, answering fans questions about the project.

Check out what she had to say after the jump…

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2010 was a year of ups and downs for Grammy Award-winning hitmaker Ne-Yo. The singer welcomed a daughter and scored a #1 single in the UK with ‘Beautiful Monster’ but also had to endure lackluster sales with his most recent album, ‘Libra Scale’.

In an exclusive chat with That Grape Juice, Ne-Yo addressed several points including why his album stalled on the charts and the musical direction of his next studio effort. The ever-opinionated artist also openly shared his thoughts on Usher’s upcoming “Revolutionary Pop” album, writing songs for Beyonce’s new project as well as working with Jennifer Hudson.

Additionally, Ne-Yo discussed his distaste for “lazy” singers who overuse auto-tune and his thoughts on Rihanna’s vocal ability in relation to that trend.

Check out the full interview below:

Ne-Yo Shouts Out That Grape Juice

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