American RnB musician Ne-YoIf So Sick, Miss Independent and Closer are somewhere on your RnB playlist, then Ne-Yo probably needs no introduction.
There is more to the Grammy-winning singer than the smooth voice, sharp suits and trademark fedora.
From writing some of the biggest songs for other artists to appearing on screen and judging dance competitions, Ne-Yo has built a career that stretches well beyond the microphone.
Now, as he prepares to return to Nairobi for One Night Only: Brunch Edition on Mashujaa Day, here are 15 things you may not know about the man behind some of RnB's most memorable hits.
1. His real name.
Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Chimere Smith in October 1979.
The name Ne-Yo came later, inspired by Neo, the central character in The Matrix.
2. Breakthrough
Ne-Yo's breakthrough came with So Sick, the lead single from his debut album In My Own Words.
Released in 2005, the heartbreak anthem climbed to number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and established Ne-Yo as one of the defining voices of 2000s R&B.
3. He was writing hits before becoming a star
Before fans knew him as a performer, Ne-Yo was already making his mark as a songwriter.
One of his earliest major successes was Mario's Let Me Love You, released in 2004.
The song became a massive hit and helped open the door for Ne-Yo's own recording career.
4. Beyoncé has a Ne-Yo song in her catalogue
Ne-Yo co-wrote Beyoncé's Irreplaceable, one of the biggest songs from her early solo career.
The track became a global hit and is still instantly recognisable thanks to its famous opening line and unforgettable breakup message.
5. Rihanna is another major name on his songwriting list
Ne-Yo has songwriting credits on several Rihanna hits, including Unfaithful, Russian Roulette and Take a Bow.
That puts his pen behind songs from two of the biggest female pop stars of the past two decades.
6. He has three Grammy Awards
Ne-Yo's career has earned him three Grammy wins, cementing his place among the major RnB and songwriting names of his generation.
His Grammy recognition has covered both his own music and his work as a songwriter.
7. His first two albums both topped the Billboard 200
Ne-Yo's debut album In My Own Words and his follow-up Because of You both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
That is quite a start for an artist's first two studio albums.
8. His catalogue has billions of streams
Ne-Yo's music has travelled well beyond the era when his songs dominated radio.
According to figures cited ahead of his Nairobi show, his catalogue has accumulated more than 23 billion combined streams globally.
9. He has also tried his hand at acting
If you have seen Stomp the Yard, Red Tails, Empire or BMF, you may have spotted Ne-Yo away from the recording studio.
He has built a parallel acting career alongside his music.
10. He was part of one of the biggest songs of 2011
Ne-Yo featured alongside Pitbull and Afrojack on Give Me Everything.
The 2011 club anthem became a global hit and introduced his voice to an even wider audience outside the R&B space.
11. He has worked with some of music's biggest names
Ne-Yo's songwriting and collaboration catalogue stretches across artists including Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Mario, Beyoncé and Rihanna.
His career therefore includes both the songs he sings himself and the ones he helped other artists bring to life.
12. Kenya is not new territory for him
Ne-Yo has been to Nairobi before.
His first visit came in 2015 when he appeared on the third season of Coke Studio Africa.
During the project, he worked with Kenyan rapper Wangechi, Tanzania's Ali Kiba, Uganda's Maurice Kirya and Nigeria's Ice Prince.
He also later collaborated with Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz on Marry You.
13. He has a television judging credit
Ne-Yo also served as a judge on World of Dance, the dance competition series featuring dancers from around the world.
So yes, the man who has spent years writing and performing music has also had a front-row seat to judging other people's moves.
14. The fedora is part of the Ne-Yo look
The suits and fedora are almost as recognisable as the songs.
Over the years, Ne-Yo has developed a distinctive performance style built around sharp tailoring, polished choreography and the unmistakable hat that has become part of his public image.
15. He is bringing all of that experience back to Nairobi
More than a decade after his last Kenyan visit, Ne-Yo is returning for One Night Only: Brunch Edition on Tuesday, October 20.
The event will take place at Ulinzi Sports Complex from 3pm to 11pm, giving fans a daytime R&B experience on the Mashujaa Day public holiday.
Ne-Yo will headline the show, with UK showband Sol and The Gang also joining the lineup.
The event will combine live music, brunch and entertainment, with Ne-Yo expected to perform songs from his extensive catalogue.
Tickets are currently listed on https://cms.ticketyetu.com/r/Zft, with Gold going for Sh15,000 and the Gold Couple or Friends package at Sh20,000.
Platinum four-seater and eight-seater tables are also available at Sh160,000 and Sh320,000 respectively.
With more than two decades in music, a catalogue packed with RnB favourites and a songwriting list that includes some of the industry's biggest names, Ne-Yo is returning to Nairobi with plenty more than So Sick in his repertoire.
