Platinum-selling singer/songwriter Ne-Yo can now add Senior Vice President of A&R to his title as it was announced yesterday he would be leaving his former label Def Jam and joining Motown Records as an Artist and an Executive.  Ne-Yo will bring along his Compound Entertainment imprint to the label and will be responsible for seeking our and grooming new talent for Motown as well.

Ne-yo commented,

“I’m honored that I’ve 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,”

Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown chairman/CEO Barry Weiss and senior VP of Motown Ethiopia Habtemariam released a joint statement on the announcement with high hopes.

Weiss commented, “[Ne-Yo's] 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.”

Habetemariam added: “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.”

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Congrats to Ne-Yo! Look out for his upcoming fifth studio album arriving this Summer.
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In other R&B news, 90s R&B chart Queen Brandy is gearing up for a great 2012. Not only can you find her guest appearing on BET’s Popular sitcom The Game, she is recording her upcoming album for RCA and is preparing to make this one count.

After releasing great albums like Full Moon and Never Say Never, Brandy faultered with critically acclaimed albums like Afrodesiac and Human that failed to perfrom commercially. This time around Brandy wants to get things right.

“I really feel like this is my chance to get it right. I don’t want to make any mistakes,” the “He Is” singer said recently. “We want to make sure we have the first single, the right first single, so we don’t have to do a bunch of remixes and stuff like that.”

Continuing to break down how she feels about this project, which will include a collaboration with Monica, Brandy is clear about one thing — coming out strong after an admitted “unsuccessful album”.

“It’s really hard to follow up a “Never Say Never” and a “Full Moon”. Since this is 2012, I just want to make sure I put in the best work and the best album,” said Brandy. “I can’t come off of an unsuccessful album and do that again. I can’t do that. That’s why things are taking forever and I’m really trying to get everything right.”

“My intent is to give you guys what you deserve,”

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Brandy used to be “that chick”. I am excited to hear what she has in store on the new album. She has recorded a much-anticipated duet with Monica that is set to drop in two weeks. You can also hear her on Monica’s next Single, It All Belongs to Me, premiering on February 6th.