Songwriter, arranger, and vocalist Ne-Yo -- born Shaffer Smith -- was born in Arkansas and raised in Las Vegas, NV. His start in the music industry came as a songwriter. Prior to exiting his teenage years, he penned material for Youngstown and broke through in 2004 with Mario's "Let Me Love You," one of the most-played songs on urban radio stations across the U.S. In My Own Words, the second album he recorded but the first one to be released, came out in early 2006 and reached the top of the charts, supported by the number one hit "So Sick." During the same year, he appeared on Remy Ma's There's Something About Remy and Ghostface k**ah's Fishscale. He has also written for Marques Houston, Ca**idy, and Heather Headley. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide