Shaffer Chimere Smith (born October 18, 1979), better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Ne-Yo gained fame for his songwriting abilities when he penned the 2004 hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario. The single's successful release in the United States prompted an informal meeting between Ne-Yo and Def Jam's label head, and the signing of a recording contract.

Biography

Family
In 2005, Jessica White, Ne-Yo's girlfriend at the time, gave birth to a boy, naming him Chimere after Ne-Yo's middle name. Though Ne-Yo believed he was the father, he later discovered the child was not his. He is now in litigation with the child's mother.

In June 2010, Ne-Yo told Ebony that he and his girlfriend, Monyetta Shaw, were expecting their first child together, a girl due early in 2011. Shaw gave birth early to daughter Madilyn Grace Smith on November 12, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. Announcing the birth, Ne-Yo said of his first child, "I've been in love before but this feels like nothing I've ever felt... like I'm in love for the first time."

In September 2011, Ne-Yo revealed that he was expecting his second child with Monyetta Shaw. Shaw gave birth to a boy, Mason Evan Smith, on October 9, 2011. In September 2015, the singer announced that he is expecting and engaged to Crystal Williams.


Legal issues
On February 19, 2008, Ne-Yo was arrested for reckless driving and driving without a valid license while driving through Cobb County, Georgia in his 2006 Range Rover. It was reported that he was doing about 150 mph, 100 mph over the speed limit. On June 2, 2008, Ne-Yo pleaded guilty to driving without a valid license and no contest to the reckless driving charge. He was sentenced to 24 hours of community service.
On August 22, 2011, Ne-Yo was sued along with rapper Pitbull and Dutch DJ Afrojack by actress Lindsay Lohan, claiming that their song "Give Me Everything" referenced her by name in the lyrics. Pitbull won the lawsuit.

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