R & B star Ne-Yo on fatherhood and his baby boy

In an interview with OK magazine,  R & B artist / songwriter Ne-Yo (nee Shaffer Smith), 23, couldn’t hide his delight over being a father to his baby son Chimere and how much his life has changed for the better. 

Fatherhood changes your outlook on life. Nothing looks the same anymore.It flips up your whole perspective.  Everything is a risk, but he’s the reason I breathe.

Before, the reason I did music was about living my dream, but now I need to make sure that Chimere never has to worry about anything.  I need to make sure that if he wants to got to college, he’s going to go there.  To hell with being tired.  I’m going to get to the studio and write this song, make sure I get these songs placed, make sure this song is the best it can be so that the album sells so that Chimere will be all right. Everything is about him now.

Ne-Yo’s baby momma is a woman named Jesseca White, who he says is one of his best friends. The two share bi-coastal parenting responsibilities, in which he says he wishes he could be more involved with on a regular basis.

I don’t get to see Chimere as much as I would like, which is why I have the utmost love and respect for his mother. He stood up by himself for the first time yesterday, Jesseca called to tell me.  They’re in California and I’m in New York, and I missed it.  While she’s taking care of him, I’m taking care of them from afar.  They don’t have to worry about finances-I got that side of it-she’s taking care of his day-to-day.  But when I’m in California, all my time is given to him.

Ne-Yo is known for his hit songs, "So Sick" and "When You’re Mad" off of his platinum album, "In My Own Words." He also wrote such popular songs as Rhianna’s "Unfaithful" and "Let Me Love You" by Mario.

Source: OK, July 10, 2006, pg. 80

Thanks to CBB reader Tamika for the name correction.

Comments

i love how he talks about his son,its so beautiful.him and jessica sound like they make a great parenting couple

- carly on July 7th, 2006

Are they together? I guess not, but the way he speaks of her is very special..You can tell he does provide for them. I can’t imagine being on another coast from my child.

- Yonni on July 7th, 2006

His son name is spelt Chimere
and you can see the mother’s myspacepage
http://www.myspace.com/jessecawhite
There is even a pic of Ne-YO with Chimere on her page in the interactive album under “about me”. Cute baby.

- Tamika on July 7th, 2006

I loved writing this story because I am such a huge NeYo fan… I listen to his CD everyday. I was so happy to hear how in love he is with his son and how driven he is to provide for hin. That’s almost a rarity now a days.
Nisha
CBB Contibutor

- nisugar on July 8th, 2006

orrrr i luv neyo hes so lovely n seems 2 b a really carin dad!! bless him luv him 2 bitz xxx

- katie on November 2nd, 2006

I love ne-yo and his music and i talk to jesseca and shes really nice and sweet and she doesnt have any intentions of taking advantage of ne-yo they are both caring loving great parents and i have so much respect for them both because what black single parents can keep a firendship and not be enemies not anyone i know except them…!!! i have both of his albums and they are great.

- Ronnise on June 8th, 2007

your son is so cute and when i hear
that you had a baby i said i don’t even
have to look at him beacause he is so cute
like is father…

ne-yo i am a big fan of you i love you so much i love you baby alot…

i wish that chimere could be my baby and
your’s……

- yamile on October 24th, 2007

Ne-yo your son is so cute he look just like you and I bet that he will be just like you when he grow up

- takeshia belton on May 21st, 2008

I forgot to mention this to you Ne-Yo you look so good on all my children I am in love with you you are so sexy i would love to meet you in person

- takeshia belton on May 21st, 2008

I’m a fan of Ne-yo and so much in love with his middle name Chimere which he also gave to his son. My question is, how did Ne-yo parents come up with the name chimere? and what is the meaning? My father is from Nigeria and i know the great meaning of that name chimere,but just need to find out if Ne-yo have the same meaning.

- Peter Ubah on October 14th, 2008