Ne-Yo Realizes His Dreams, Announces Album Release Date

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GettyImagesNe-Yo's new album R.E.D. is on its way, due out September 18 on the relaunched Motown Records.  The announcement of the release date comes just as Ne-Yo delivers his second single "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)," the follow-up to his new album's lead song, "Lazy Love."

Late last year, when Ne-Yo first revealed to fans that he was working on a fifth studio album, the Grammy Award winner said the title would be The Cracks in Mr. Perfect.  Then in April, he announced that the disc would be called R.E.D., instead.  So why the switch? 

Ne-Yo tells ABC News Radio, "[I] changed the title because The Cracks in Mr. Perfect was just an excuse for me to complain about stuff."  With so many good things happening in Ne-Yo's life, the proud dad and hit-maker says that he found R.E.D., which is short for "Realizing Every Dream," to be a better fit.  "It's basically saying that I have nothing to complain about," Ne-Yo says of the new album title.  "In the grand scheme of things, I have no room to complain about anything," Ne-Yo says.

Looking at his life, Ne-Yo says, "Every dream that I've had from age nine to now, if I haven't realized it, I'm on my way to.  I'm blessed and highly favored."

In addition to being the first major artist to sign with the rebranded Motown, Ne-Yo is also the storied label's senior vice president of A&R.  "I love my job, man.  I can say that and mean it, and not very many people can," Ne-Yo says.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio