60 Seconds With Ne-Yo
Ahead of his gig in Macau, US R&B singer Ne-Yo shares a few words with Andrea Lo about negative reviews and his thoughts on rap lyrics about women.
HK Magazine: Do you prefer making energetic beats or slow jams?
Ne-Yo: I enjoy making music, period. Tempo is rarely a factor.
HK: How have you sustained longevity in the music industry?
NY: I do this because I love it. I think people can hear that in the music.
HK: Will you ever venture into rapping?
NY: I love hip-hop, so I won’t say no. If I have something to say that requires it, sure. But I’m a singer at heart.
HK: Your music has always celebrated women. How do you feel about songs in the R&B and hip-hop genres that can be seen as degrading to females?
NY: Music degrading women is the dark; music celebrating women is the light. You need one to appreciate the other. They’re both necessary in this way.
HK: How do you respond to negative reviews?
NY: I’m not disappointed. Times have changed. It’s about what’s real to me and how I portray music. I choose to keep it a touch classier. But everyone is entitled to express [their opinions].
HK: You are of Chinese descent. Do you identify with it?
NY: My father is part Chinese. I’ve always felt connected to Asian culture.