Ne-Yo has dropped his first new single of 2021, “What If.” The shimmering dancefloor banger finds Ne-Yo recalling a lost love and wondering what would have happened if they hadn’t parted.
The three-time GRAMMY® winner recorded “What If” in London with producers Ebenezer and Magnus Klausen. Curtis “Sauce” Wilson produced the vocals.
NE-YO performs along with a troupe of dancers in the striking black & white video for “What If,” which was made in partnership with Shutterstock.
“As a multiple GRAMMY Award winner and one of the most celebrated artists of this generation, Shutterstock was thrilled to be the behind-the-scenes photography partner for Ne-Yo’s ‘What If” music video,” said Candice Murray, VP of Editorial at Shutterstock.
“In addition to behind-the-scenes imagery, Shutterstock also provided visual and special effects from our robust library of over 400 million visual assets. We wish Ne-Yo every success for this music video release, and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration.”
“What If” follows Ne-Yo’s 2020 collaboration with Jeremih, “U 2 Luv.” In his career to date, Ne-Yo has sold a cumulative 20+ million adjusted albums worldwide. He has won three GRAMMY awards and been honored with a total of 14 nominations.
His first single, 2005’s “So Sick,” hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified quadruple Platinum. Since then, he has racked up a collection of hit singles – including “Sexy Love,” “Closer,” “Because of You,” “Miss Independent” and “Push Back” featuring Bebe Rexha and Stefflon Don. Three of his albums have entered SoundScan’s Top Current Albums chart at No.1.
15 years ago in February, R&B phenom Ne-Yo went from being an in-demand songwriter to a best-selling recording artist, with the release of his debut album, In My Own Words. UMe and Def Jam reissued a deluxe, digital edition of the album on February 26, featuring six previously-unreleased tracks.
Among the newly-added tunes are two new acoustic renditions of singles “So Sick” and “Sexy Love,” both of which were recorded at The Compound in Atlanta.
