Ne-Yo - Year Of The Gentleman (JP Deluxe Edition) 2008

Ne-Yo - Year Of The Gentleman (JP Deluxe Edition) 2008

Ne-Yo is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor who rose to fame in the mid-2000s with his debut album In My Own Words. He has since released six more studio albums, including Year of the Gentleman, which was his third and most successful album to date. The album was released in 2008 and featured the hit singles "Closer", "Miss Independent", "Mad", and "She Got Her Own". The album received critical acclaim and earned Ne-Yo six Grammy nominations, winning two for Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Miss Independent".

Ne-Yo - Year Of The Gentleman (JP Deluxe Edition) 2008

The album was also released in Japan as a deluxe edition, which included four bonus tracks and four music videos. The bonus tracks were "She Got Her Own" featuring Jamie Foxx and Fabolous, a remix of "Closer" by StoneBridge, a remix of "Miss Independent" by DJ Questa, and a remix of "Mad" by Moto Blanco. The music videos were for "Closer", "Miss Independent", "She Got Her Own", and "Mad". The deluxe edition also featured a different cover art, showing Ne-Yo in a black suit and hat against a white background.

The album was inspired by the concept of being a gentleman in the modern era, as Ne-Yo explained: "The whole idea of the album is based off a couple of movies that I had seen. One of them was Casino Royale, the new James Bond movie. Just watching Daniel Craig bring that character to life he redefined what it meant to be smooth. He made me want to be James Bond. Another one was Ocean's Eleven, with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. They were the epitome of smooth back then. They were the definition of being a gentleman they were suave, they were debonair, they were polite, they opened doors for women."

The album showcased Ne-Yo's versatility as an artist, as he experimented with different genres and styles, such as pop, dance, rock, and soul. He also collaborated with various producers and writers, such as StarGate, Polow da Don, Chuck Harmony, Shea Taylor, Syience, and Reggie Perry. The album received positive reviews from critics, who praised Ne-Yo's vocals, lyrics, melodies, and production. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 250,000 copies in its first week. It also reached the top ten in several other countries, such as Canada, Australia, UK, Japan, France, and Germany. The album has sold over two million copies worldwide and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.

Year of the Gentleman is widely regarded as one of Ne-Yo's best albums and one of the best R&B albums of the 2000s. It showcases Ne-Yo's talent as a singer, songwriter, and performer who can deliver catchy hooks, smooth vocals, and meaningful lyrics. It also reflects his vision of being a gentleman who respects women, values love, and strives for excellence.

Sources:

• [Year of the Gentleman (Deluxe Edition) by Ne-Yo on Apple Music]

• [Ne-Yo Year Of The Gentleman (2008, CD) - Discogs]

• [Ne-Yo Year Of The Gentleman (2008) - Genius]