Ne-Yo feels like a "new artist" after he took a two-year break from the music industry.
The 38-year-old singer bounced back onto the scene earlier this year with his new singles ‘Push Back’ and ‘Good Man’ – the lead track on his forthcoming album of the same name – after his last LP release ‘Non-Fiction’ in 2015 and he has admitted the short hiatus has done him the world of good because he feels refreshed.
Speaking to WWD, the ‘So Sick’ hitmaker explained: "Everything has changed. The sound has changed, the way people are getting to the music has changed, the process of putting it out has changed. I feel like a new artist again."
‘Good Man’, which was initially set for release in September last year but was delayed because he didn’t feel it was ready, will finally drop on June 8 and Ne-Yo hopes the lyrics on his album will teach men how they should treat women.
He said: "You are a walking, talking, breathing billboard and the product you’re selling is yourself. As I got more into fashion, I started to realise the power of looking like you give a damn and it suddenly became very clear to me how important it is to spread that message. You can be just as cool and masculine but also be a decent person."
The hiatus also signalled a change for the singer – whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith – as he has decided to ditch his famous hat once and for all because he feels like a hypocrite promoting self-love while hiding behind the accessory.
Ne-Yo – who covered his head because he was ashamed of his hairline – explained: "I don’t know if anybody else noticed, but it was a major deal to me. I realised I can’t preach this (message of) self-love as I’m hiding behind a security blanket."
Ne-Yo feels like ‘new artist; after music break
