Ne-Yo: Rihanna and Beyoncé Are in Competition
There’s an ongoing competition between Rihanna and Beyoncé that’s being perpetuated by the outside world, Ne-Yo said in an interview with the U.K.’s Capital XTRA. The singer-songwriter, who has worked with both ladies, discussed how Rih’s new album will satisfy her “Navy” of fans, along with the unofficial role that Queen Bey plays in the release.
“It’s an unspoken competition,” he said of the music superstars. “I don’t feel like they’re in competition with each other but the world kind of creates competition between the two of them. So Beyoncé came out, dropped a massive album that did incredible, so now everybody’s like ‘Okay, what’s Rihanna gonna do now?’”
He went on to say that Rihanna's new music is “absolutely incredible” thus far, but stopped short of giving up too many more details. “I can’t speak on what it sounds like because I’ll get in trouble but I definitely feel like people are gonna enjoy it,” he said. “Anybody that’s a Rihanna fan is gonna stay a Rihanna fan, and anybody that’s not might become a Rihanna fan behind what’s coming. Just gear up for it.”
Although Ne-Yo “contributed” to the forthcoming release and has helped Rihanna earn hit singles like “Unfaithful” and “Take a Bow," he’s not exactly sure what will make the final tracklist.
“It’s not personal, it’s business,” the father of two explained of the selection process. “You do a bunch of songs, and when you’re done you pick the ones that’s gonna best put out the idea that you want out, and if mine don’t make the cut, they don’t make the cut.”
Click here to enter the Beyond the Lights sweepstakes and win an all-expense paid trip to Black Girls Rock!
Watch Kevin Hart in a new episode of Real Husbands of Hollywood every Tuesday, 10P/9C.
BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
(Photos from Left: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment, Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET, GFR Media / Splash News)