With major radio airplay on over 60 Urban radio stations and 50 Rhythm stations in just two weeks, Def Jam recording artist Ne-Yo has earned the highest Rhythm chart debut of his career this week, entering at #29-bullet with “Because Of You,” his brand new single and the first track to be released from his hotly anticipated second album, due April 24th.

“Because Of You” was the #1 most-added song on the Rhythm format after its impact date last week, virtually doubling its audience to 8 million from 4 million. The track impacted at Urban radio yesterday, where it was the # 1 most added and has an audience over 7.5 million.  It is already # 62 bullet on the Hot 100 Airplay Chart w over 20 million in audience, increasing over 1,000 spins in one week. 

Early indications point to a huge explosion when the song impacts at Pop on March 5th.  “Because Of You” debuted at #20-bullet on the AOL Top 40 Songs list, over 41,000 plays; and has had over 44,000 plays on Yahoo! Radio.  The track is LIVE on 170 Clear Channel radio station websites (comprising Urban, Urban AC, Pop and Rhythmic stations).

The multi-talented Grammy-nominated #1 RIAA platinum-selling artist Ne-Yo, named Male R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards, was one of the top success stories of 2006. 

His debut album ‘In My Own Words,’ nominated for a Grammy as Best Contemporary R&B Album, entered at #1 on the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, selling over 305,000 copies in it’s 1st week.  It started late-2005 with Ne-Yo’s debut Def Jam single, “So Sick” (produced by Stargate).  The album garnered two Grammy nominations for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the # 1 single “So Sick” and Best Contemporary R&B Album. 

 Most recently, Ne-Yo is credited as co-writer of Beyoncй’s #1 single, “Irreplaceable.”  “Irreplaceable” had just made its best audience week, which was the #2 highest total audience impressions in Nielsen- BDS history (i.e. since 1992).  The song with the #3 all-time highest audience total was also co-written by Ne-Yo – namely Mario’s “Let Me Love You.”

In addition to finishing his album, Ne-Yo is currently writing for Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Golden Globe winner, Oscar nominee; Jennifer Hudson.  He also just made his big screen debut in the # 1 movie, Stomp The Yard.

Taken from M&C