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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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A fan’s name nearly made things awkward for Keith Urban — but his reaction had the crowd laughing, and then melting. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Ella Langley is back with another certified hit, bringing all the old-school country vibes with her new track, “Choosin’ Texas.”
The buzzed-about single finds Langley crooning about a lost love. She reflects on the moments she thought he was falling for her and for Tennessee, only to realize his heart still belongs to Texas – and to another girl.
“She’s from Texas I can tell by the way/ He’s two steppin round the room/ And judgin by the smile that’s written on his face / There’s nothin I can to do/ It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see / A cowboy always finds a way to leave / Drinkin Jack all by myself/ He’s choosin’ Texas I can tell,” she sings on the chorus.
The multi-platinum, chart-topping, award-winning artist co-wrote the track alongside Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor. Langley and Lambert also co-produced with Ben West, and Lambert can be heard providing background vocals throughout the song.
“I had the amazing opportunity to sit down in a room with Miranda, Luke, and Joybeth on a writing retreat about a year ago,” Langley recalled. “We wrote a bunch of songs together, but the second one really stuck with me. Miranda, being from Texas, started telling us one of her wild stories about drinkin’ and doing something ridiculous, and I said, ‘Well, she’s from Texas, I can tell.’ As soon as I said that, we all just looked at each other like —yep, that’s it! That’s the next song. She’s from Texas, the girl he went with. And I thought well…you know I love a song like that.”
Lambert added, “Ella may have grown up in Alabama, but she has a rowdy, fiery side that us Texas women recognize and respect. She’s an artist through and through, and it was important to me to let her artistry shine through at every stage of the process, from co- writing to co-producing. I’m so proud of how “Choosin’ Texas” does that, and can’t wait to see the world continue to get to know Ella through this song.”
Ella first gave fans a taste of “Choosin’ Texas” back in February at her Nacogdoches, TX, show, and last night she brought it back to life on stage in Houston as part of a special run of Texas performances this weekend. She’s nearing the end of her SOLD-OUT Still Hungover Tour, with remaining stops in Helotes, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Athens, GA; Chattanooga, TN; Starkville, MS; and wrapping things up with a two-night finale at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium on November 6 and 7.
With “Choosin’ Texas,” Langley proves once again why she’s a standout artist, with the kind of talent that promises a long, lasting career.
The post Ella Langley Returns With ‘Choosin’ Texas,’ Channeling Old-School Country Heartbreak appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
George Strait is set to return to Clemson, South Carolina’s Memorial Stadium (known as “Death Valley”) for a special, one-night-only event on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
This special in-the-round concert will feature the King of Country Music alongside country superstar and fellow Texas native Cody Johnson and special guest Wyatt Flores.
It’s a historic occasion, marking the first concert at Memorial Stadium since 1999 when George Strait last took the stage there.
“Going back to Death Valley for the first time in more than 25 years feels pretty special. Can’t wait to see you, Clemson,” Strait shared in a statement.
Fans can look forward to an unforgettable night filled with timeless hits and new favorites, performed center stage in the round.
Strait teased the announcement on social media earlier this week when he shared a “2026 announcement” by sharing a tour poster from the George Strait Country Music Festival, which included Strait alongside now-superstars Tim McGraw, The Chicks, Kenny Chesney, Jo Dee Messina, and more.
Later, “Death Valley” shared a teaser, leading fans to believe a concert announcement was on the horizon.
Adding fuel to the fire, Strait and Johnson shared photos on Thursday of Clemson jerseys with their last names on them, essentially confirming the news without actually saying it.
Tickets go on sale Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.
In 2024, George Strait performed only a select few stadium shows, including a record-breaking concert at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. That event, George Strait: The King at Kyle Field, drew an astonishing 110,905 fans, making it one of the largest single-ticketed concerts in U.S. history.
Following that historic night, Strait limited his 2025 appearances to just five major shows, performing in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Foxborough, and Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium.
In addition to his upcoming performance at Clemson, Strait’s legendary career continues to be honored. This December, he’ll be celebrated at the 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors for his lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. Early next year, he will also be inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing his lasting influence as both a performer and songwriter whose music has shaped generations of country artists and fans alike.
The post George Strait Announces One-Night-Only Death Valley Concert With Cody Johnson appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Thomas Rhett has just dropped a new collaboration that fans didn’t see coming. This time, he stepped outside of his genre to team up with Niall Horan for a fresh take on “Old Tricks.”
Rhett originally dropped the song with Blake Shelton for his About A Woman (Deluxe) project, but after getting a sense of Horan’s genuine appreciation for a good country song, he knew they needed to put their vocals to the test in the studio together. Horan dropped a teaser that this collaboration was coming when he posted a video to TikTok on October 1 of him strumming his acoustic guitar and singing along to the tune casually on his couch.
He wrote, “Love this song by my pal Thomas Rhett and my Voice dad, Blake Shelton.”
The following post, he shared a video of him giving his best attempt to capture the cowboy look.
“Heard Thomas Rhett hosted a Blake Shelton lookalike contest. Is it too late to audition?”
The news finally broke with another clever clip that featured string of text messages between the trio of country superstars. In the messages, Rhett was seen informing Shelton that since he wasn’t available to shoot content for their collaboration, they found a “really good stand in.”
Horan then jumped in to say “Blake! Did you hear TR and I have a song coming out together?”
@thomasrhett Couldn’t say no to this. Old Tricks with @Niall Horan ♬ Old Tricks – Thomas Rhett & Niall Horan
Shelton cleverly recalled back to his days on the singing competition show, The Voice, and hilariously responded, “Let me get this straight, first you steal my last chance at a win on The Voice and now you’re stealing my song? Unbelievable.”
It turns out this cross-genre experience is something that has been a long time coming as Rhett explained he and the former One Direction band member have been friends for “six or seven years now.”
Speaking on how Horan came to sing on the new version of “Old Tricks,” Rhett further explained, “Anytime I’m over in the UK or he’s in Nashville, we always try to link up. We’d talked about doing something together for a long time, but I never imagined it would be this song. I was at the Masters this year and went to hang out with Niall and Noah Kahan, and out of nowhere Niall goes, ‘I’m so mad you didn’t ask me to sing on “Old Tricks.”’ I said, ‘Man, you were the last person I would’ve thought would even like this one!’ He kept texting me about it after and he knew all the words.”
“With how fired up he was and his connection with Blake, it felt like a full-circle moment and turned into something really fun. I’m pumped it’s finally out there and hope y’all love it as much as we loved making it,” he added.
Horan explained that the first time he heard “Old Tricks,” he was “instantly hooked.” So when the opportunity arose to join forces with Rhett on a new version, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“I’ve known Thomas Rhett for years now, and every time we’re in the same city, we end up catching up like no time’s passed. I actually heard ‘Old Tricks’ by accident one day when I was in the studio with my friend and producer Julian Bunetta who was working on the song. It came on and I was instantly hooked. I told Thomas Rhett straight up I was gutted he didn’t ask me to jump on it. I just loved everything about it, it’s a proper country song. Next thing I know, I’m in the studio laying vocals down,” Horan shared. “It felt easy, natural, like it was always meant to happen. I’m buzzing for people to finally hear it.”
Thomas Rhett and Blake Shelton also have a longstanding friendship, making him a great first choice to record the tune with. Penned by Rhett alongside Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino, Jim Beavers, John Ryan and Julian Bunetta, “Old Tricks” offers the perfect laid back, two stepping beat in both versions.
The main difference is the “After All The Bars Are Closed” singer is now intertwining his vocals with Horan’s signature sound that effortlessly fits into the country music scene. Together, they share the same story about the reality of getting older and realizing their younger selves might’ve been their peak.
Suddenly, they’ve come to the conclusion that the hangovers hit harder, and recovery overall takes longer in this stage of life. Rhett’s duet partner then jumps in with his own perspective, pointing out that the moves that once impressed girls in the past don’t seem to work like they used to.
While the story is generally the same, a few of the lyrics are changed up to better fit Horan’s life, such as in the line “Like sayin’, “Huntin’ with the boys is a business trip” which finds the Irish artist singing, “Like sayin’ golfin’ with the boys is a business trip.”
The release of About A Woman (Deluxe) adds nine new songs to Thomas Rhett’s original project, making for a total of 25 tracks.
Now that Rhett has wrapped up his Better In Boots tour, he will enjoy some much-needed downtime for the remainder of the year. It was recently announced that fans will be able to catch him performing in the UK in 2026 as a supporting act on Luke Combs’ My Kinda Saturday Night Tour.
Fans can also catch Niall Horan on The Voice every Monday and Tuesday.
The post Thomas Rhett Taps Niall Horan For New Version Of ‘Old Tricks’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Anne Wilson is 23 years old, the same age her brother Jacob was when he tragically passed away in 2017. Coming to terms with this reality has had a profound impact on her life and her perspective on grief, faith, and purpose. It’s this journey that inspired her third studio album, Stars, a deeply personal collection of songs that arrives today, October 17, via Capitol Christian Music Group.
The Lexington, KY native poured the emotions she has walked through since losing Jacob into this coming-of-age collection. She bares her soul while weaving in reflections from her real-life journey—from her childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut, explored in the title track, to the strength of her faith and the resilience that has carried her through the greatest challenges.
“This album is really vulnerable and feels like what I’m still walking through right now as of today,” Wilson recently explained to Country Now. “It’s about kind of exchanging your dreams for God’s dreams and for me that was, I wanted to be an astronaut and work for NASA, and then my brother passed away and everything changed and music became what God was calling me to. So I love getting to dive into this record and write this idea of ‘Stars,’ of what it means to just embrace what God has now put in my life and the dreams that he’s now placed on my heart, which is music and getting to walk. And that has been so cool.”
Each year, the rising star says she chooses a word to use as the foundation for her prayers every day. In 2025, she landed on the word “wonder” after feeling God’s calling to return to that childlike wonder she had before tragedy struck and to dream bigger dreams for her life. One month after making that decision, she began writing for this record. “Wonder” suddenly became the guiding force of these songs, thus adding a whimsical feeling to the vulnerable and real narratives.
It’s evident that faith is at the center of Anne Wilson’s life, and that extends to her music. As a result, she admits she could never make an album that doesn’t fully reflect her beliefs, including the honest reality that even someone as devoted to their faith as her faces challenges along the way. This honesty coms through particularly in the track, “Still Do.”
“I love artists that write songs or that will cut an outside song that’s nothing about their actual life. But for me, I have to write very real songs of what I’m actually going through and what’s real to my life. And so this album felt like, ‘okay, if I’m going to be honest with fans, then I’m going to have to write a song like ‘Still Do,’ for example, is a very kind of song about wrestling with my faith. And so I just kind of had to get to that point where I was like, okay, I’m going to be vulnerable and real and put this out.”
Every song on this project offers a glimpse into Wilson’s story in some way and a few like her latest release, “Carry On” and the final track, “Twenty Three,” find her digging the deepest into her emotions. These are two songs that Wilson knew she had to put out, even if it meant risking being completely vulnerable with her fans unlike she ever has before.
“There’s a couple other songs that talk about being 23 on this album and it just felt like a really pivotal year for me because I was grasping the idea of living longer than my brother ever got to,” she explained. “And for me, he was eight years older than me so it was like, I always looked at Jacob as so much older and he was this big adult and he is just so much older than me. And now that I’m his age, it’s so hard to grasp that I’m going to live longer than he got to. And it makes me sad and it’s an extra layer of grief.”
Wilson shared that February (when she turned 23) was one of the hardest months she’s had since losing her brother, but it also became one of the most meaningful. Out of that deep grief came the songs that would shape her new album. She says the experience reminded her how pain can sometimes lead to unexpected blessings. After writing most of the project in February and finishing it in May at the beach, she knew the song “Twenty Three” would be the perfect way to close both the album and this chapter of her life.
Anne Wilson is expanding her message of faith beyond music with her new 40-day devotional, Hey Girl: You Are Seen, Loved and Made for More. Named after her 2021 hit single and inspired by the growing Hey Girl Nation community, the book aims to guide young women towards discovering their true worth and connection to God. The book is designed to connect with readers of all ages, from middle school to college and beyond,
“I just have a heart for young women and reminding them and encouraging them and who they are in Christ. And so this devotional was that. I wanted a girl to have a physical copy of that reminder, and I can only write so many songs. I can only talk so much about that at a show. So to be able to have something that these girls can take home with them and continue to inspire and encourage them outside of listening to my music or watching a show or something was just the goal in that.”
Once again, Wilson found herself trying to create a book that was completely authentic to who she is at 23 years old while also trying to tap into the mind of who she was in her early teens. To write her devotional, she revisited her old journals from middle and high school, reflected on past insecurities and moments of self-doubt. Drawing from those experiences and scripture she created a resource to help others find the same confidence and peace she’s discovered through faith.
Hey Girl: You Are Seen, Loved and Made for More is available now wherever books are sold.
In support of the new album, Anne Wilson is preparing to embark on The Stars Tour. The trek opens on October 18 in Nashville and runs through November 23. A full list of dates can be found on her official website.
The post Anne Wilson On How A Personal Tragedy Shaped Her Faith And Inspired Her Vulnerable New Album, ‘Stars’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Almost two decades into his career, Chris Young is proving that instead of slowing down, he’s raising the bar. With his 10th studio album and first with Black River Entertainment, I Didn’t Come Here To Leave, Young is celebrating a fresh chapter fueled by his latest wave of creativity.
Released today, the 14-track project, featuring 11 songs co-written by Young, came together in less than a year’s time. The Tennessee native explained to Country Now and other outlets that his pen never stopped, even after dropping his latest project and scoring his 14th career No.1, “Young Love & Saturday Nights” in 2024. He found that there was more to be said, and he decided to lean into wherever his creativity was leading him.
“It was very interesting for me because I had all this music that I’d been writing, I’d been constantly writing, and I was like, ‘what am I doing? I’ve got a record out, we just had a number one.’ I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m just continuing to write more and more songs and I had most of this album just teed up, ready to go, not all of it, and I definitely rerecorded all of the demos that I had, but that was one thing that we did and spent a lot of time on. By we, I mean me and Andy Sheridan who co-produced this,” he shared.
Young found that when recording for this record, he was determined to take his time to make sure he got it right, even if that meant doing several passes just to ensure every single word he was singing felt like his best work.
“It’s almost, I don’t want to say this and it be taken out of context, but it is sort of a God thing. It was like upstairs knew I needed this music and I was just being pushed to create, and I was like, ;I’m going to take January, February, and March off this year.’ Nope, that did not happen,” he added with a laugh.
The level of care that has been put into the album has made Chris Young that much more excited to share it with the world because not many of his past albums have had that same level of time and effort poured into them.
“There’s something special about this one. I don’t know what it is, and it just makes me happy. I love going back and listening to it. Normally as an artist, I feel like a lot of us say I get done and I don’t go back and listen to it anymore, and I’m walking around to my friends going, ‘Hey, listen to this. This is cool. Right?’ So I don’t know. I’m just excited. I think this record is special and obviously the new relationship with Black River is pretty incredible.”
On December 4, 2024, it was announced that the multi-platinum, global entertainer had officially joined the Black River Entertainment roster. This new partnership followed Young’s run with RCA Nashville, which served as his home since 2006. But it was time for a change.
When looking for his new home, Young immediately connected with the Black River team, who he says proceeded to “kill me with kindness.” Within that three-hour meeting, he played the label some songs he had written, shared ideas and by the end he had canceled any other meetings he had originally planned with other labels. He credits a big part of his new creativity wave to the fresh partnership with Black River.
“I think that’s a big part of why I feel not necessarily reinvigorated, because I’ve always enjoyed making music and I’ve been lucky to do so. There’s not many people that get to do this as long as I’ve been able to do it. It’s more so from a perspective of this album just sort of came together and such a cool way that it just feels right. And I’ve used this quote, and I don’t mean to belabor the point, but art’s never finished or completed. It’s only abandoned. I feel like this record was completed.”
Young first teased this new chapter with “Til The Last One Dies,” which now serves as the lead single from the project and is rising on the country radio and streaming charts. He also unveiled “Jesus, Momma, Country Radio,” “Brake Lights,” and the title track “I Didn’t Come Here To Leave.”
When asked how he landed on the title for this record, Young revealed this was a song he wrote with Dallas Davidson and Kyle Fishman in nearly 45 minutes.
“I just had a lot of fun with this song and I also thought it was a statement of sort of where I’m at in my career, which is weird if you think about my age compared to some other people that got started at least on a label much later than me. They’re older than me. So it is very interesting to look at it, but I think that’s being around for 20 years on record labels. I think that’s indicative of that. And it is sort of me just looking at everybody going, I still have more to say.”
Just like he felt a pull to the title track, Chris Young admits he got that same gut instinct when it came to choosing an outside cut to be the lead single. Penned by Bay Hayslip, Seth Mosley and Jordan Walker, “Til The Last One Dies” is a song Young wishes he had written, but he still had the chance to share its powerful love story.
Throughout the project, fans will hear love stories like “Til The Last One Dies,” as well as songs that will bring happiness and songs that will evoke tears like “What Would You Take,” “I Hope It’s Okay” and “Just Keep Living.” Tapping into all these different themes is what makes the project a well-rounded country album in Young’s eyes.
“I think that’s important with the Country album. I think you have things that make you happy…I have songs that are going to make you want to cry and text your parents or your kids and just be like, I love you.”
While fans have a lot to unpack with this project, Young hinted that this might be the end of the I Didn’t Come Here To Leave chapter.
“I would say that there’s a pretty good feeling that in the future there will be things added to this record possibly, and I’ll leave it at that,” he teased.
The album’s fall release date also coincides with another special milestone, Chris Young’s 8th anniversary of his induction into the exclusive membership of the Grand Ole Opry.
Next month, listeners will get to hear a few songs off the new album along with some holiday classics on his first-ever holiday tour. The “It Must Be Christmas – An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young” trek will feature 15 headlining shows running November through December.
The post Chris Young Celebrates Renewed Creativity With 10th Studio Album, ‘I Didn’t Come Here to Leave’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
When she was writing Wanderland in 2001, Kelis probably didn’t know how prescient the album title would end up being. It’s an obvious pun: a reference to Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, it’s also evocative of the desire for adventure and wanderlust.
Wanderland has its own fabled story behind its release. Amid a series of label mergers and other industry upsets, Kelis’ experimental sophomore album got lost in the shuffle. Right when it was released in Europe, Kelis parted ways with her label, and the album was never released in the US. Wanderland was… wandering. But a Neptunes-produced Kelis album wasn’t going to elude fans forever.
A significant mythology
Wanderland became one of the most storied “lost albums” of the era – even if it wasn’t really lost, just exceedingly hard to come by. It was, of course, imported, bootlegged and loved, before finally being released in the States via streaming services in June 2019, 18 years after its October 17, 2001 release date around the rest of the world.
Kelis wasn’t alone; this was the second time in three years that a Neptunes-produced project got shelved. Clipse had suffered the same fate with their album Exclusive Audio Footage, which, like Wanderland, accrued a significant mythology during its lost years. In fact, Clipse, as individuals, feature on Wanderland as well, with Pusha T and Malice featuring on the tracks “Popular Thug” and “Daddy” respectively.
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Timelier than ever
Pharrell himself lends vocals to a handful of tracks, but, like Clipse’s appearances, these spots help tether Wanderland to our familiarity with The Neptunes’ sound rather than overshadowing the album’s departure from it. Ultimately, this is a Kelis album first and foremost, not a Neptunes project. Even if the beats immediately identify it as being of the era (no bad thing), Wanderland is a welcome – if not unexpected – departure from the braggadocio of N*E*R*D and Clipse… even if the Rosco P Coldchain feature on “Digital World” makes you think Ab-Liva is going to pop around the corner any second.
About halfway through Wanderland, “Shooting Stars” starts to sound like something out of a late-90s shoegaze album, or Frank Ocean a decade ahead of schedule. Even when it’s less outwardly self-assured than the work of Kelis’ counterparts, Wanderland remains self-aware – and sexy with it. Outside of some dated tech references, “Digital World” is timelier than ever, proving that people have been struggling with sex and technology for decades.
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Predicting the hip-hop hybrid
When “Perfect Day” hits, it’s an arresting moment: the kind of perfect hip-hop/rock hybrid that would have felt right at home on Post Malone’s Hollywood’s Bleeding. Indeed, two decades on from its release, Wanderland’s crossover appeal is almost shocking, making you wonder how anyone could have shelved the record. “Perfect Day” sounds like the kind of rock-rap hit Pharrell would chase for the better part of a decade. That it features contributions from No Doubt makes sense: they’d spent the late 90s crafting their own reputation for genre-blending, while Pharrell and Gwen Stefani would go on to have a hugely successful working relationship just a handful of years later.
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Wanderland ends on its most unexpected notes: “Mr. UFO Man” and “Little Suzie.” The tracks address God, but are ultimately more existential in nature. “UFO Man” centers around the idea that things have gotten so complicated in the world, only an alien is capable of relating to The Creator. Released just one month after the September 11 attacks, it didn’t sound like such a far-fetched idea at the time.
On “Little Suzie,” Kelis casts herself as a woman aware of the problems the world faces, while “just trying to play my part.” If she’s doing anything, it’s what God willed for her. This sentiment of self-assurance, if only a misguided half-truth, feels all the more powerful in the light of Wanderland’s receiving the release it always deserved.
Wanderland can be bought here.
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Best Ne-Yo Songs: 20 R&B Essentials
You can’t discuss contemporary R&B music without Ne-Yo. Since the start of his illustrious career, the Arkansas-bred singer-songwriter, producer, and performer has treated listeners to his buttery vocals, slick dance moves, and poetic lyricism regarding life and love. With a host of top 10 hits, No.1 albums, and platinum plaques, Ne-Yo has proven his abilities as a hitmaker who stretches the confines of genre.
Inspired by artists like Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway, and Usher, Ne-Yo combines the traditional aspects of R&B with modern flair. One may think ego would accompany his gifts, but Ne-Yo’s unabashed, gentlemanly swagger always has a humility built-in. His dedication to music, passion for performing, and love of songwriting make him a true quiet storm.
The Songwriter
Before he became a solo sensation, Ne-Yo got his name off the ground in the mid-2000s as a songwriter. Some of Ne-Yo’s best songs from this period focus on love, sex, and relationships. One of his strongest gifts as a writer is his ability to create memorable, empowering songs for women, no doubt a result of being raised by a single mother and other strong female family members.
Mario – Let Me Love You
Mario’s 2004 single “Let Me Love You” put Ne-Yo on the radar as an R&B songwriter. The velvety, Scott Storch-produced song, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005, also may have a familiar ring to it, as it gently lifts musical elements from Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”
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Rihanna – Unfaithful
The second single from Rih’s 2006 sophomore effort A Girl Like Me, “Unfaithful” is one of many collaborations between Ne-Yo and the Norwegian production team Stargate. The song deals with feelings of regret and shame for cheating on a partner, and features dark production inspired by the rock band Evanescence. Rihanna reportedly reached out to work with Ne-Yo after the success of Mario’s “Let Me Love You,” and was eager to work on a ballad in order to show off her singing chops.
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Beyoncé – Irreplaceable
Beyoncé’s number one single “Irreplaceable” went through several twists and turns before making its way into her catalogue. Ne-Yo’s initial idea was to make the 2006 hit a country tune, however, production and lyrical tweaks made it a Queen Bey staple. Ne-Yo also wrote the track from a male perspective, but later recognized it would be more empowering for a woman to sing.
Jennifer Hudson – Spotlight
Thanks to Ne-Yo, Jennifer Hudson’s 2008 debut single showed a different side of the Oscar-winner, whose work in Dreamgirls was focused on theatrics and themes of self-reflection. The mid-tempo R&B ballad keeps her show-stopping pipes intact while remaining relatable to the average listener, as she sings about sticking it to a no-good partner. The song earned Hudson two Grammy nominations.
Keri Hilson – Pretty Girl Rock
Female empowerment and self-love are a few of the themes Ne-Yo focused on for Keri Hilson’s 2010 song, “Pretty Girl Rock.” Over sugary yet sassy production that features a subtle sample of Bill Withers’ “Just The Two Of Us,” Hilson repeats affirmations about being “beautiful” and “fly,” hoping to instill a sense of confidence in herself and her listeners.
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The R&B Hits
After a failed try at solo success, Ne-Yo found his lane in 2006 with his debut album, In My Own Words. Years later, he continues to release the thought-provoking, relatable songs that made him a star, while also fitting the fresh vibe of contemporary R&B.
So Sick
The second single from Ne-Yo’s debut proved to be an instant hit, peaking at the top slot of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005. Working with longtime collaborators Stargate, “So Sick” was written about the first time Ne-Yo experienced true heartbreak. Because of this pain, he detests love songs, yet they allow him to reminisce about his past relationship.
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Sexy Love
Take “Sexy Love” as the more positive musical counterpart to “So Sick.” Instead of lyrics about missing a former flame, this time around Ne-Yo sings about how much love he has for his current partner, painting vivid depictions of their time beneath the sheets. The track reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is certified three times platinum.
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Because of You
The title song from Ne-Yo’s 2007 album (which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100) tells the story about an intoxicating woman occupying his everyday thoughts. What makes this track stand out is the production. “Because Of You” has an undeniable disco influence, and includes the sounds of a harpsichord and guitar to make the track stand out.
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Miss Independent
Ne-Yo’s critically-acclaimed third album, 2008’s Year of the Gentleman, dropped off a host of hit tracks, including the top 10 single “Miss Independent.” The mid-tempo ballad about loving a self-sufficient woman samples Keesha’s “Forget About Me,” and won Ne-Yo two Grammy Awards (Best R&B Song and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance).
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Mad
This Year of the Gentleman staple carries an important message about relationships of all kinds: fighting – instead of listening – only creates more chaos. The Stargate-produced song, which features a heavy piano and bass, finds Ne-Yo explaining to his partner that while they’re not perfect, he hopes that their issues are patched up before bed.
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The Collaborations
Ne-Yo’s approach to work thrives on collaboration, stating in an interview that some link-ups “just work.” Several of his sonic pairings have been outside of the R&B realm, but his singing talents and songwriting chops remain intact wherever he finds himself.
Hate That I Love You
2007’s “Hate That I Love You” sees Ne-Yo reuniting with his A Girl Like Me collaborator Rihanna. Throughout the track, the two trade lines about being hopelessly in love, and their voices complement each other beautifully as they tell their tale. The platinum-selling tune is one of Rihanna’s longest-running top 10 hits; it peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100, and was in the top 10 on the chart for 26 weeks.
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Knock You Down
Sometimes a good love can become sour, and “Knock You Down” – Ne-Yo’s 2009 collab with Keri Hilson and rapper Kanye West – proves it beautifully. The platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated tune masterfully pairs contemporary R&B with hip-hop flair, and Ne-Yo’s standout verse showcases both his envious vocal runs and storytelling skills. (“I used to be commander-in-chief on my pimp sh*t flying high,” he croons, “‘til I met this pretty little missile that shot me out the sky.”)
Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Rapper Plies made his Janet Jackson-sampling song “Bust It Baby” the first single off Definition of Real, in 2008. It was “Part 2” featuring Ne-Yo, however, that proved to be the version with staying power, as it combines his tender singing voice with Plies’ gritty, hard-hitting rap verses. The second edition peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
Give Me Everything
“Give Me Everything” is an Afrojack-produced club banger that featured on Pitbull’s 2011 album Planet Pit. Not only did the song hit No. 1 on the charts, it’s certified six times platinum and is one of the best-selling digital singles of all time, with 11.2 million digital copies sold. “Give Me Everything” is also a product of the times, referencing everything from a “locked up” Lindsay Lohan to taking photos in Times Square with Kodak cameras (remember when?).
Time of Our Lives
Another popular link-up between Ne-Yo and Pitbull, “Time Of Our Lives” is featured on Pit’s album Globalization and Ne-Yo’s Non-Fiction (both from 2014). The duo sing and rap about living in the moment and not worrying about what tomorrow will bring. They teamed up with producers Dr. Luke and Cirkut, who created the top 10 hit’s electropop-heavy sound.
Ne-Yo’s Electronic Songs
As electropop began to heat up in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Ne-Yo reintroduced himself as a high-octane hitmaker. He worked closely with artists and DJs to release songs with fiery energy.
Closer
A top 10 hit from Ne-Yo’s Grammy-nominated Year of the Gentleman, “Closer” is heavily inspired by a visit to London, which proved to him the impact of house and techno club sounds. To accompany lyrics about his experiences with a magnetic yet enigmatic woman, Ne-Yo and Stargate provide production that is “smoky, kinda dark, and mysterious.”
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Turn All The Lights On
Ne-Yo joined T-Pain on his Revolver album in 2012 for “Turn All The Lights On.” The duo worked with Dr. Luke and Cirkut to produce and co-write the song, which is about going hard in the club, partying, and celebrating for the hell of it. T-Pain and Ne-Yo have a brother-like bond, with the rapper saying that the singer “stayed down” and supported him during a period of depression.
Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)
The Afrojack-produced “Let Me Love You” (not to be confused with the chart-topping song Ne-Yo penned for Mario) peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2012. The song is co-written by Australian singer-songwriter Sia, and describes a love that goes further than just romance. As the title suggests, Ne-Yo wants to help his partner build not just a better relationship with him, but the one she has with herself.
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Let’s Go
DJ and producer Calvin Harris teamed up with Ne-Yo in 2012 for their gold-certified collaboration “Let’s Go.” A top 20 single, the high-octane tune is hype music, pure and simple, with lyrics about going for your goals. It’s no surprise, then, that “Let’s Go” was used in a Pepsi campaign in 2012 and Ne-Yo performed it during his set at the 2013 NBA All-Star game.
Play Hard
“Play Hard,” a 2013 collaboration between Ne-Yo, David Guetta, and Akon is about the balance of work and play. The electro-house song was a huge hit on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart, where it peaked at No. 2. It heavily samples Dutch musician Alice Deejay’s 1999 track “Better Off Alone” and the remix of Italian singer-songwriter Noemi’s “In My Dreams.”
Shop for Ne-Yo’s music on vinyl or CD now.
Discover more about the world’s greatest R&B artists | uDiscover Music
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Dru Hill’s Enter The Dru, the album is coming to vinyl for the first time. The reissue, which was announced today, is set for an October 24 release on 2LP standard black vinyl.
Originally released in 1998, Enter The Dru (whose title was inspired by the Bruce Lee 1973 film, Enter the Dragon), marked the R&B group’s second album, following 1996’s Dru Hill debut. It included R&B classics like “How Deep Is Your Love,” “These Are The Times,” “Beauty,” and “You Are Everything.”
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“How Deep Is Your Love,” Dru Hill’s biggest hit to date, spent three weeks atop the US R&B chart and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its remix featuring Redman was included on the soundtrack for the 1998 film Rush Hour. “These Are The Times,” co-written and co-produced by Babyface, reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. Enter The Dru peaked at No. 2 on both the Billboard 200 and the R&B Albums chart, and later received a double-platinum certification.
Following Enter The Dru, the group released 2002’s Dru World Order and 2010’s InDRUpendence Day. In 1999, lead singer Sisqo embarked on his solo career with Unleash the Dragon, known for hit singles “Thong Song” and “Incomplete.” He followed up with 2001’s Return of Dragon and 2015’s Last Dragon.
Dru Hill remains active in the R&B scene, releasing new music and touring frequently. In 2020, they released their comeback single, “What You Need.” In 2023, they embarked on the Summer Block Party Presents: Jodeci, SWV & Dru Hill tour alongside fellow ‘90s R&B groups Jodeci and SWV. Last month, R&B icon Keith Sweat announced his The R&B Lovers Tour featuring special guests Dru Hill, Joe, and Ginuwine. The trek kicks off Feb. 13, 2026, and wraps on June 2, 2026.
Shop for Dru Hill’s music on vinyl or CD now.
Discover more about the world’s greatest R&B artists | uDiscover Music