Ne-Yo Leaves Def Jam, Signs With Motown As Artist & Senior VP Of A&R

                The smooth crooner moves his Compound Entertainment imprint to Motown. 

Ne-Yo has announced that he is parting ways with Def Jam and moving to Motown Records, where he will also serve as senior VP of A&R. According to Billboard.biz, the smooth crooner is bringing his Compound Entertainment imprint to the label.

He will serve as a producer and mentor to Motown artists and discover and sign new talent. "I'm honored that I¹ve 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,” said Ne-Yo. "His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark," added Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown chairman/CEO Barry Weiss. "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."