March 27, 2008

By By Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.

R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo will release his third album titled "Year Of The Gentleman," on June 24 via Def Jam Records. The set, says the Las Vegas native, is inspired by the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.

"Years ago, if you weren't wearing the right suit or have a correct crease in your pants, you couldn't even get in the door--let alone on stage to perform," said Ne-Yo via a press release. "For me, the sharpness of Sammy and Sinatra is the kind of style I strive for in clothes and music. 'Year of the Gentleman' is named in honor of those guys."

The album's first single is the Stargate-produced "Closer," a funky yet classic Euro-disco track.

In addition to working on his own project, Ne-Yo has recently penned tracks for Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Celine Dion among others.

"Gentleman" comes at the heels of last year's "Because Of You," which reached penthouse position on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. The set has sold 931,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan. His debut album, 2006's "Because Of You," moved 1.6 million units to date.

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