Multi- platinum, 3-time Grammy Award-winning Def Jam recording artist Ne-Yo adds two new credits to his long list of successes over the last three years, starting with the announcement that his new song, “Never Knew I Needed” will be the featured end credit song in the new Walt Disney Pictures The Princess and the Frog animated motion picture event.   The single will blast out to Urban, Urban AC and Rhythmic radio today, October 14th. and plans for the video, directed by Melina, will be announced shortly.  The soundtrack album will be available November 23rd, and the movie, whose action takes place in New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou, will open in theatres on December 11th.
 
           It was also announced that Ne-Yo has joined the all-star cast of the upcoming sci-fi war movie Battle: Los Angeles starring Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Michael Peña, and Lucas Till. Ne-Yo recently attended boot-camp to prepare for his role as a U.S. Marine. The new movie – whose filming coincidentally began in Louisiana – marks Ne-Yo’s first non-movie musical role, following star turns in Save the Last Dance 2 (2006) and Stomp the Yard (2007).  Battle: Los Angeles, set for 2011 release on Columbia Pictures, is directed by Jonathan Liebesman (The Killing Room, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, Rings).  
 
           Ne-Yo – who will be 30 on October 18th – made headlines one year ago when his most recent RIAA platinum album Year Of The Gentleman debuted at the top of the Soundscan and UK national charts.  The album went on to generate a league-leading total of five Grammy Award nominations – with its #1 R&B smash single “Miss Independent” winning in the Best R&B Song (songwriters award) and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance categories.  Year Of The Gentleman followed up Because Of You (released May 2007), which won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and In My Own Words (February 2006) – both of which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
 
           Ne-Yo (aka Shaffer C. Smith) founded The Compound Foundation which is committed to service at risk and disadvantaged youth.  In addition to building two new group homes in the Atlanta area, The Compound Foundation sponsors performances, motivational speakers and mentorship opportunities with leaders and business people within the community.