"I probably wouldn't be singing if not for Michael Jackson. When I started singing, I didn't like my tone until my mom put me on to Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, so listening to the way they used their instrument helped me get more comfortable with my own."

Music

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This quotation examines the core nature of Music as articulated by Ne-Yo. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Music provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Ne-Yo

Shaffer Chimere Smith, known professionally as Ne-Yo, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He first gained recognition for his songwriting abilities after having written Mario's 2004 single "Let Me Love You", the success of which led to a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings under then-president Jay-Z the next year. Regarded as a preeminent figure in 2000s R&B music, he is the recipient of numerous accolades—including three Grammy Awards.

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More by Ne-Yo

"For the first few years of my life my mom used to cut my hair so there were a lot of bowl-cut hair styles."

— Ne-Yo
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"My mom was the picture of the blue-collar mom: Two and three and four jobs to make sure that me and my sister never needed, that was her thing."

— Ne-Yo
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"Hats have been my thing pretty much my whole life but finance has not. I would go to the corner store and buy really cheap baseball style caps and wear those to school."

— Ne-Yo
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More about Music

"We are living in a time when American popular music is finally being recognized as one of our most successful exports. The demand is huge."

— Billy Joel
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"For my birthday this year, my girlfriends - who knew I'd just inherited my dad's turntable - gave me a carton of albums like 'Blue Kentucky Girl,' by Emmylou Harris, and 'Off the Wall,' by Michael Jackson. It's all stuff we grew up with. I mean, you can't have a music collection without Prince's 'Purple Rain' - it just can't be done!"

— Connie Britton
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"Recently, I was preparing to sing Springsteen's 'If I Should Fall Behind' for a wedding and was unable to get through it without tears. My wife handed me 'Love You Forever.' I read it. I cried. But that cry somehow cured me of crying while singing the song. Go figure."

— Clyde Edgerton
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"It was my first big relationship and it was just very abusive. I wouldn't give him the credit of naming him, if he ever reads this. But he was older, in the music business - or so he said."

— Lisa Snowdon
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