Left to right: Barry Weiss, Ne-Yo and Ethiopia Habtemariam
Billboard.biz reported yesterday that R&B star and actor, Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Jr. is moving his Compound Entertainment imprint to Motown Records. In addition, he is on board as in-house producer and Senior VP of A&R. Sounds like a power move for both sides. Ne-Yo had this to say...
"I'm honored that I¹ve been given such a prestigious title and trusted with such responsibility; terrified because I know that playing this role in the fashion of one of my career role models, Mr. Smokey Robinson -- these are big shoes to fill. But trust, I can handle it,"
Barry Weiss, Universal Republic & Island Def Jam Motown Chairman and Chief Executive, had this to say...
"His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark, but this move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo as both an artist and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012."
Ethiopia Habtemariam (pictured above with Weiss and Ne-Yo) was appointed senior Vice President of Motown early second quarter FY11. This position was formerly occupied by President Sylvia Rhone. Habtemariam concurrently serves as executive VP/head of urban music for Universal Music Publishing Group. She had this to say...
"We are committed to discovering, developing and nurturing R&B/soul superstars here at Motown. In Ne-Yo we have both a global superstar and arguably one of the best songwriters in music. His presence on the executive team only strengthens our commitment to be the very best in R&B."
SCREAM @ ME!!!
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