Ne-Yo Joins Motown as New VP of A&R

Ne-Yo has inked that will take him from Def Jam to the Detroit based record label, Motown.

The R&B sensation will be bringing his talents to the legendary label, where he will not only release music, but also serve as the company's Senior Vice President of A&R, Billboard reports.

Ne-Yo will be a triple threat at Motown, as the company will take advantage of his singing, songwriting and producing skills. On top of that, the seasoned musician will act as a mentor for the labels artists as well as seek out new talent.

The musical entrepreneur is set to release his fifth solo album this summer, under the Motown banner.

His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark, Barry Weiss, chairman/CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown said in a statement.

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, he added.

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, Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr., said on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old performer has expanded beyond the studio these days. Ne-Yo currently stars in the George Lucas-produced film Red Tails, a picture about the Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots.

Ne-Yo is also set to appear on the upcoming season of NBC-TV's The Voice as a mentor for Cee Lo Green's team.