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Because of You (Ne-Yo album)

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Because of You
Studio album by
Ne-Yo
ReleasedApril 25, 2007
Length49:57
Label
Producer
Ne-Yo chronology
In My Own Words
(2006) 		Because of You
(2007) 		Year of the Gentleman
(2008)
Singles from Because of You
  1. "Because of You"
    Released: February 13, 2007[1]
  2. "Do You"
    Released: September 22, 2007
  3. "Can We Chill"
    Released: September 29, 2007
  4. "Go On Girl"
    Released: December 4, 2007

Because of You is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Ne-Yo. It was released by Compound Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings on April 25, 2007 in the United States. Ne-Yo reteamed with many previous collaborators to work on the follow-up to his debut album In My Own Words (2006), involving Ron "Neff-U" Feemster, StarGate, and Shea Taylor, as well as new and upcoming musicians such as The Heavyweights, Eric Hudson, Timothy Bloom, Knobody, and Syience. Next to them, Because of You features guest vocal contributions from rapper Jay-Z on "Crazy" and fellow R&B singer Jennifer Hudson on "Leaving Tonight".

Because of You debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, selling over 250,000 copies in its first week, and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also reached the top ten in Canada and the United Kingdom but was commercially less successful than In My Own Words elsewhere. Released to generally positive reviews from most music critics, who complimented the album for the advancement over its predecessor,[2] it won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2008.

Background

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After years of songwriting, Ne-Yo had his major breakthrough when Mario's hit single "Let Me Love You," which he co-wrote, became a worldwide number-one hit in 2004. The success of the song led to a meeting with Def Jam executive L.A. Reid, and although not actively seeking a deal,[3] Ne-Yo was signed by then-CEO Jay-Z after performing for the label.[3] In My Own Words, his debut album with Def Jam, was released in February 2006 and earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album. A commercial success, it debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 1.4 million copies domestcially,[4] while also producing four singles, including the number-one hit "So Sick."[3]

For his next album with the label, the singer reteamed with many previous collaborators from his debut album to work on new material, including Ron "Neff-U" Feemster, StarGate, and Shea Taylor.[4] Ne-Yo also consulted new and upcoming musicians such as Eric Hudson, Timothy Bloom, Knobody, and Syience.[4] Planned additional studio sessions with producer Timbaland failed to materialize due to their scheduling.[4] Initially titled Know Me,[4] the project was re-titled Because of You a month before its release,[5] which he felt "makes the most sense. It's because of the people that inspire me to make music. Because of the love of the music. Because of the fans. Because of you, that I do what I do."[5]

Promotion

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Because of You was preceded by its same-titled lead single. Issued to radios on February 13, 2007, it emerged as Ne-Yo's highest-charting single since "So Sick" (2006), becoming his first number-one hit in New Zealand, while also reaching the fop five in the United Kingdom and the United States.[6] The up-tempo track also earned him his second consecutive Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.[7] While Ne-Yo had initially hoped that "Crazy" featuring Jay Z – then titled "Call Me Crazy" – would be released as the album's second single,[4] Def Jam decided to release the downtempo song "Do You", produced by The Heavyweights, as the follow-up to "Because of You" in September 2007. The song peaked at number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[6] "Can We Chill", and "Go On Girl" were as the album's third and fourth singles, respectively, while "Leaving Tonight" was issued as a radio single only.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic74/100[2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
The A.V. ClubB[9]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[10]
Los Angeles Times[11]
PopMatters9/10[12]
Robert Christgau(dud)[13]
Rolling Stone[14]
Slant Magazine[15]
Stylus MagazineC+[16]
Yahoo! Music UK[17]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 74, which indicates "generally favorable" reviews, based on 14 critics.[2] PopMatters's Colin McGuire found that with Because of You Ne-Yo "relishes in his disgust for a sophomore slump by fighting back with an album that leaves his first solo effort so far in the dust." He felt that the album "might end up being the best R&B album of the year."[12] Similarly, AllMusic editor Andy Kellman noted that "the key to the album's potency and freshness is its differences from In My Own Words [...] Making it to number one on your own, writing a major hit for one of the planet's most popular entertainers, and qualifying as the heir to R. Kelly can have that effect."[8] Simon Vozick-Levinson from Entertainment Weekly noted that "indeed, the album is an unmistakable attempt to channel Michael Jackson's early work such as Off the Wall [...] and the effort often pays off beautifully [...] Ne-Yo's lithe falsetto puts the many others who've been labeled Jackson-esque to shame."[10]

In his review for The A.V. Club, Nathan Rabin wrote that the album "is a real sleeper that reveals considerable strengths upon repeat listens [...] Best of all, with a running time of just over 59 minutes, Because of You is largely devoid of filler, and it never threatens to wear out its welcome."[9] Slant Magazine also compared the album's sensual ballads to Janet Jackson.[15] Kelefa Sanneh, writer for The New York Times, found that Ne-Yo "got a silky voice and a clear knack for chronicling obsessive love and lust; maybe one day he’ll create a half-crazed R&B masterpiece. But in the meantime, Because of You is a likable little album: 12 girl-crazy songs from a boy who can stop anytime he wants. Honest."[18] Sarah Rodman from The Boston Globe called the album a "sexy and sweet sophomore release"." She found tht "although several different hands are employed, the album flows as if from one mind, with an emphasis on crafty vocal arrangements, crisp snap-and-clap percussion, and breezy keyboard work" and noted that Because of You "mostly avoids the filler problem that plagues many contemporary R&B albums. And what filler there is [...} is arranged so lusciously that it does not offend."[19]

Commercial performance

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Because of You became Ne-Yo's second number-one album in the United States. It debuted atop both the US Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the week ending May 19, 2007, selling 251,000 copies.[20] It was certified Gold and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 12, 2007.[21] Billboard ranked the album 13th on its Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums year-end listing.[22] By March 2008, Because of You has sold over 931,000 copies domestically, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[23]

Track listing

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Because of You track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Because of You"
4:26
2."Crazy" (featuring Jay-Z)
Feemster4:21
3."Can We Chill"
4:24
4."Do You"
  • Smith
  • Marcus Allen
  • Melvin Sparkman
  • The Heavyweights
  • Ne-Yo[a]
3:48
5."Addicted"
3:46
6."Leaving Tonight" (featuring Jennifer Hudson)
5:15
7."Ain't Thinking About You"
  • Smith
  • Hudson
3:41
8."Sex With My Ex"
  • Smith
  • Taylor
3:39
9."Angel"
3:28
10."Make It Work"
  • Smith
  • Taylor
4:09
11."Say It"
4:41
12."Go On Girl"
  • Stargate
  • Ne-Yo[a]
4:21
UK bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."That's What It Does"
  • Smith
  • Taylor
3:32
Japanese bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."That's What It Does"
  • Smith
  • Taylor
3:32
14."Spotlight"
  • Smith
  • Hermansen
  • Eriksen
  • Stargate
  • Ne-Yo[a]
4:04
Notes
  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • "Leaving Tonight" contains elements of "Baby Come Close" written by Smokey Robinson, Marvin Tarplin, Pamela Moffett-Young, and performed by Smokey Robinson.

Personnel

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Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[24]

  • Marcus Allen – producer (track 4)
  • David Barnett – viola (tracks 4, 11)
  • Timothy "Keys" Bloom – producer (track 11)
  • Jeff Chestek – engineer (track 4)
  • Tom Coyne – mastering
  • Joe Davi – guitar and bass (track 6)
  • Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing (tracks 2–11)
  • Andrew Dawson – engineer (track 9)
  • Mikkel S. Eriksen – producer, engineer, and all instruments (tracks 1, 12)
  • Ron "Neff-U” Feemstar – producer (track 2)
  • Larry Gold – string arrangement and production (tracks 4, 11)
  • Jaymz Hardy-Martin III – engineer (tracks 4, 11)
  • Tor Erik Hermansen – producer and all instruments (tracks 1, 12)
  • Ricardo "Slick" Hinkson – assistant engineer (tracks 4, 7, 10, 11)
  • Bob Horn – engineer (track 2)
  • Josh Houghkirk – assistant mixing engineer (tracks 1, 12)
  • Eric Hudson – producer and all instruments (tracks 3, 7)
  • Jennifer Hudson – vocals (track 6)
  • Jay-Z – rap (track 2)
  • Gloria Justen – violin (tracks 4, 11)
  • Knobody – producer (track 6)
  • Olga Konopelsky – violin (tracks 4, 11)
  • Emma Kummrow – violin (tracks 4, 11)
  • Danielle Laport – additional recording (track 10)
  • Espen Lind – guitar (track 12)
  • Jennie Lorenzo – cello (tracks 4, 11)
  • Ne-Yo – vocals (all tracks), co–producer (tracks 1, 3–12)
  • Deepu Panjwani – assistant engineer (tracks 4, 7, 10, 11)
  • Syience – producer (track 9)
  • Melvin Sparkman – producer (track 4)
  • Brian Springer – engineer (track 9)
  • Brian Sumner – engineer (track 3)
  • Igor Szwec – violin (tracks 4, 11)
  • Phil Tan – mixing (tracks 1, 12)
  • Shea Taylor – producer and guitar (tracks 5, 8, 10), saxophone and horns (track 5)
  • Michael Tocci – engineer (all tracks)
  • Shane "Bermuda" Woodley – assistant mixing engineer (tracks 2–11), engineer (tracks 3, 7)

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for Because of You
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[44] Platinum 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[45] Platinum 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Gold 100,000*
United States (RIAA)[21] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Table of release dates, formats, editions and record labels
Region Date Format Editions Label
Japan April 25, 2007
Standard
Australia April 27, 2007
Europe
United Kingdom April 30, 2007
United States May 1, 2007
Canada May 26, 2007
Sweden

References

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  1. ^ "FMQB: CHR". FMQB. Archived from the original on June 2, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Because of You". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Gracie, Bianca (May 9, 2007). "Ne-Yo Remembers 'In My Own Words' at 15: 'Let's Just Have Fun & the Hits Will Come'". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Concepcion, Mariel (February 22, 2007). "Ne-Yo In The 'Know' On Sophomore Album". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Billboard Bits: Ne-Yo, Reba McEntire, KRS-One". Billboard. March 22, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Ne-Yo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  7. ^ Leeds, Jeff (February 9, 2008). "Allowed In, Winehouse Chooses to Stay Home". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Because of You - Ne-Yo". AllMusic. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  9. ^ a b Rabin, Nathan (May 22, 2007). "Ne-Yo: Because of You". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  10. ^ a b Vozick-Levinson, Simon (April 22, 2007). "Because of You". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  11. ^ Kim, Serena (April 29, 2007). "Tori's torn in pieces". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  12. ^ a b McGuire, Colin (June 7, 2007). "Ne-Yo: Because of You". PopMatters. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  13. ^ Christgau, Robert. "CG: Ne-Yo". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  14. ^ Sheffield, Rob (May 14, 2007). "Ne-Yo: Because Of You". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on May 26, 2007. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  15. ^ a b Cinquemani, Sal (April 29, 2007). "Ne-Yo: Because Of You". Slant Magazine. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  16. ^ Soto, Alfred (May 9, 2007). "Ne-Yo - Because of You - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  17. ^ Britten, Anna (April 30, 2007). "Ne-Yo - 'Because Of You'". Yahoo! Music UK. Archived from the original on May 18, 2007. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  18. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (April 30, 2007). "New CDs". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  19. ^ Rodman, Sarah (May 1, 2007). "Ne-Yo's smooth R&B; finds its groove on "Because of You"". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  20. ^ Boucher, Geoff (May 10, 2007). "Ne-Yo On Top Of Uncommon Combination". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "American album certifications – Ne-Yo – Because of You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  22. ^ a b "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Year-End 2007". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  23. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (March 27, 2008). "Ne-Yo In A Rat Pack State Of Mind With New CD". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  24. ^ Because of You (booklet). Def Jam. 2007.
  25. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Ne-Yo – Because of You". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  26. ^ "Ultratop.be – Ne-Yo – Because of You" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  27. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  28. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ne-Yo – Because of You" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  29. ^ "Lescharts.com – Ne-Yo – Because of You". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  30. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Ne-Yo – Because of You" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  31. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Ne-Yo". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  32. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Ne-Yo – Because of You". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  33. ^ "ビコーズ・オブ・ユー" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  34. ^ "Charts.nz – Ne-Yo – Because of You". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  35. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  36. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ne-Yo – Because of You". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  37. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  38. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  39. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  40. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  41. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2007" (PDF). UK Charts Plus. 2007. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  42. ^ "Billboard 200 Year-End 2007". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  43. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  44. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Ne-Yo – Because of You" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2025. Select 2007年5月 on the drop-down menu
  45. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Ne-Yo – Because of You". Radioscope. Retrieved July 26, 2025. Type Because of You in the "Search:" field.
  46. ^ "British album certifications – Ne-Yo – Because of You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
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