Music Choice kicks off Black History Month sharing some exclusive interview clips with R&B hitmaker Ne-Yo.
As their Artist of the Month, they will be releasing portions of their conversation, along with two hosted playlists where Ne-Yo picks his favorite R&B music videos from artists who have changed the game and a playlist featuring his hit songs.
In the first clip, the crooner talks about today’s state of R&B, which he says has “been lost a little bit, but is trying to swing back this way.”
“To be honest with you the concept of what R&B is has been lost a little bit…just a little bit. Just behind the fact that R&B stands for Rhythm and Blues. A lot of experimentation in regards to rhythm and cadence and stuff like that…but uh, just the blues element of it…the vibe of it,” he says. “There are some cats out there that are definitely trying to keep it alive and there are some cats that have embraced the evolution of…there is nothing wrong with embracing the evolution of. If you listen to R&B from the ’50s vs. the R&B from the ’60s vs. R&B from the ’70s it changes – it’s supposed to change, it’s supposed evolve with the times and the people we get that. But at the same time, the foundation of R&B has been lost a little bit but is trying to swing back this way. I feel like it’s trying.”
In the next clip, Ne-Yo reflects on meeting his idols. “In the realm of the music industry I have met just about all of my kings so to speak…well the ones that are still living,” he says.
“I met Stevie Wonder, I’ve met Prince, I’ve met Michael Jackson. I’ve sat and had these people look at me as an equal, you know… Lionel Richie like what…I sat with Lionel Richie and had him tell me man I was a great songwriter. I’m like are you serious…You’re Lionel Richie and I am a good songwriter? Thanks. Michael Jackson…I sat in front of Michael Jackson and told him if not for you there would be no Ne-Yo…He said to me, you know what my favorite song is of yours is? And he started singing the song to me I feel like that may be the only time I’ve ever felt like a 12 year old girl as a grown man.”
Ne-Yo’s entire collection of music videos and audio tracks will be featured throughout the month of February across Music Choice Music Channels, On Demand and on their app.
(Photo by Mike Berlin/Music Choice)
