Universal renews publishing agreement with Ne-Yo

David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today announced the successful renewal of an exclusive global publishing agreement with artist/writer/producer Ne-Yo.

Through the long-term relationship between UMPG, the world's leading music publishing company, and Ne-Yo, one of the most popular songwriters in today’s music, the company will continue to co-publish Ne-Yo’s catalog and future works for the world.

Upon making the announcement, Renzer commented, "Ne-Yo has emerged as one of the hottest and most consistent songwriters, as evidenced by his GRAMMY® win for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Not only is he a very talented artist, but his songwriting finds his touch continually at the top of the charts.”

“I'm more than content with my Universal family,” said Ne-Yo. “Being a firm believer in, ‘if it ain't broke, don't fix it,’ it makes perfect sense to stay in a place where I'm respected as an artist, encouraged as a writer, and overall, accepted as the individual I am. The term family is not one I take lightly. I'm very happy with my Universal family and very proud of them as well.”

“Ne-Yo represents everything that's right with the music business. He has incredible talent, incredible drive, and incredible ethics,” commented David Mantel, Executive Vice President, East Coast, UMPG. “For us as a publisher, Ne-Yo is a dream, not only driving his own artist career with his songs but also unselfishly giving his mega-hits to others. And he doesn’t stop there, he also gives unselfishly of himself to those less fortunate. Ne-Yo also has the rare gift of being able to reinvent himself with each new song he creates. It is staggering to think where he will take music in the years to come and super exciting that we will be there with him along that way.”

“Ne-Yo is a triple threat... songwriter, artist, producer and equally active as a philanthropist,” said Jennifer Blakeman, Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs, UMPG. “He's had cuts with Disney artists, singles with today's hottest female artists (Beyonce, Rihanna, Mary J Blige, Janet Jackson) and songs with rap legends including Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg all the while maintaining his multi-platinum artist career and building his pet project, the Compound Foundation, which is committed to serving at-risk and disadvantaged youth. I'm thrilled to be a part of protecting the legacy he is creating.”

Ne-Yo started his career flourishing into one of the hottest songwriters in R&B and pop, writing such hit songs as Rhianna’s top ten hit “Unfaithful,” Mario’s Billboard Hot 100 nine-week number-one hit “Let me Love You,” Mario Vazquez’s “Gallery,” Paula DeAnda’s “Walk Away (Remember Me),” and Beyonce’s Billboard Hot 100 ten-week number-one hit “Irreplaceable.” He has also written for Celine Dion, Usher, Fabolous, and High School Musical's Corbin Bleu, to name a few.

Ne-Yo turned heads with his platinum selling debut album In My Own Words in 2006. Launching him from songwriter to superstar as In My Own Words went straight to number one on the Billboard 200, the same week his single “So Sick” also hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following up big with his second album, the platinum selling Because of You in 2007, again taking the top spot on the Billboard 200, his single “Because of You” reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Cementing his place at the top, Because of You won Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2008 Grammy® Awards. Ne-Yo was also awarded BMI Songwriter of the Year 2007.

Managed by Reynell “Tango” Hay, with support from Compound Management Team’s Tishawn Gayle, Ne-Yo is among the impressive names on UMPG’s roster, which includes such artists as: Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, T-Pain, Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Swizz Beatz, Prince, Common, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Chamillionaire, Nas, Ciara, Nelly, UGK, Lil Jon, R Kelly, among many others.

About Universal Music Publishing Group
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the industry's leading global music publishing operation and is part of Universal Music Group. UMPG represents music in every genre from many of the world’s top songwriters and catalogs including U2, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, Coldplay, Nelly, Juan Gabriel, Ciara, Dave Grohl, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Britney Spears, Beastie Boys, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Paul Simon, Henry Mancini, Christina Aguilera and Linkin Park, among many others. For more information, visit: www.umusicpub.com .