Ne-Yo’s Classic: Because Of You

I hope this album generates a revolution in music where R-B artist are influenced to add lyrical content that matches their glossy image. The grown and sexy crowd will love this album as well as the bubble gum teen group.

 

I joined Ne-Yo the Def Jam R-B sensation on May 2, 2007 when he dropped his sophomore album “Because Of You.� There were hundreds of fans at the album signing held at the Virgin Mega Store in conjunction with Power 105.1 in New York City. 

Because Of You is a classic!  It is definitely one of those ground-breaking albums that you will find yourself listening to all day, back to back. 

Who doesn’t love an album like that? It’s great for all occasions; work, play and more play…… starting with the first single “Because of you,” a sexy mellow song, where he proclaims the addiction, which Ne-Yo secretly enjoys. 

This love addiction becomes a theme throughout the album with other songs such as Crazy, Addicted, Sex with My Ex, and Go on Girl. One of Ne-Yo’s  greatest accolades is that he is a song writer producing not only great hits for himself but contributing to the success of such artist as Mario, Brittney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Musiq and Jennifer Hudson. Who knew that a man could capture the raw emotions in a song like Irreplaceable—“to the left, to left,” which became one of Beyonce’s biggest hits.

Honestly I can’t  decide on my favorite song off of Because Of You; this album, takes you through all the emotions of a love relationship. Did I mention how sexy the album is? Addicted is definitely influenced by Prince, and it has that flirtatious funky beat, that drops in and out as Ne-Yo proclaims “No, I’m, not addicted to sex, but girl I grantee, if you lay with me, you just might be.”

A duet with Jennifer Hudson called Leaving Tonight, gives raw emotions and sets a throwback Motown feel to the album. Ne-Yo hits the high pitch as Jennifer lays down the sensual raw vocals creating a believable collaboration. Every great Def Jam artist deserves to be blessed by the presence of Mr. Jay Z himself, who knights Ne-Yo as the next MJ.

As Ne-Yo does a great tribute impression on crazy, there’s still only one Mr. Jackson.  The difference between Ne-Yo and many of the other male R-B singers of today, is the connection to both audiences that he reaches with his voice and lyrics. He is definitely on his way. 

I hope this album generates a revolution in music where R-B artist are influenced to add lyrical content that matches their glossy image. The grown and sexy crowd will love this album as well as the bubble gum teen group.  It’s just good music. We need more of it, in today’s age, where artist have the audacity to drop albums with one or two hits. 

This is not an album to be bought from the neighborhood bootleggers or downloaded off of lime-wire. I watched Ne-Yo kiss the hands of his hundreds of fans, in addition to taking pictures, signing albums and giving hugs.  Because Of You has the perfect ingredients, of soul, lyrics, beats, voice and style—it is nothing short of a classic.

 

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