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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > December > 15 > Entry
Ne-Yo Delivers — A $30,000 Gift To Atlanta School
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Students should have known it wasn’t going to be Monday as usual at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School when the convertible blue Bentley pulled up in front of the auditorium. Followed by a tinted, high-end Mercedes-Benz. Followed by another bright blue sport utility vehicle.
That’s how Atlanta R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo arrived to present director Arthur McClenton and his band students an oversized $30,000 check for instruments; courtesy of VH1’s Save The Music Foundation, and a generous anonymous donor.
“Music is not what I do, it’s who I am,” said Ne-Yo, a VH1 Save The Music ambassador and this city’s leading Grammy nominee - with six — this year. “If you cut off off my arm right now a song would probably fall out…And I know it may be cliche, but these kids are our future. And we are going to have some very smart, but very boring, very bland kids if we don’t keep programs like these in the schools”.
Ne-Yo was joined by his sister and mother — “who helped me fall in love with music” — and entertained questions from the students. Nine-year-old bass clarinet player Mylan Johnson (pictured above, with Ne-Yo) started the brief Q&A, asking when the Grammy winner when he first knew he wanted to be a musician. (“I’ve wanted to do it since I was 5-years-old,” Ne-Yo replied).
For the most part though, the children were almost motionless and incredibly quiet. “I think they’re in shock Ne-Yo,” prinicipal Margul Retha Woolfolk remarked.
Ever contributed to or benefited from VH1’s Save The Music program? Are you or were you ever a band student? And if so, do you agree with Ne-Yo in that it made a less boring, less bland person?
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Comments
By Arlene
December 15, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Very proud of Ne-Yo showing love and support to those kids.
By Jodi
December 15, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
I like that Ne-Yo gives back like that.
By c mitchell
December 15, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
i’ve seen ne-yo interviewed a few times and he appears to be a really classy guy. way to go ne-yo.
By Yulanda
December 15, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
2 B EXPECTED HE’S A LIBRA MAN..10-16 CHECKN OUT
By John
December 15, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
What is a Ne-Yo? Stupid thug names.
By S.P.
December 15, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Almost as stupid as “John.” How cliche? What have you done lately for the community, John? Your name is synonymous with “toilet,” John. Your name is boring, John. You’re no one, John, and that just makes you mad.
By Perplexed (Quintavious)
December 15, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what a Ne-Yo is either. He was wearing the sun glasses and MV7 starter kit.
Did his mother name him Ne-Yo?
Ne-Yo silver…
His message was that you, too, can grow up to be a R&B singer and drive a Bentley…and have a posse. Half the kids will be NBA stars, the other half rap “artists”.
I feel secure knowing America’s future is firmly established.
KEEPN IT REAL.. VIRGO MAN..10-100 CHECKN OUT
By MrsBanks
December 16, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
KUDOS to Ne-Yo for giving back to the kids in a positive way - let the haters (John & Perplexed) continue to hate - by the way, have either of you heard of “stage names” - you know like “Marilyn Manson” & “The Grateful Dead”? Idiots…
By Nesia
December 16, 2008 6:10 AM | Link to this
You know, the name for people like John nd Quintavious is “HATER,” *(Another word for that is JEALOUs…..
By AJ
December 16, 2008 6:13 AM | Link to this
Congratulations to the M. A. Jones students on receiving such an honor!!
By KBC
December 16, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Congrats and a big thank you Ne-Yo for giving back to the community and those in need. It’s sad that we still have people like John & Perplexed in this world (probably some racist bigots lol). Remember love is all we need! GOD doesn’t see colors & he doesn’t make any mistakes!! Merry CHRISTmaas!!!
By Darrell Adams
December 16, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
I was there!!!!He presented a positive message for hte kids. and stressed that if you have the talent andwant to succeedthat you need school. His primary example was If you sign a contract, you should be able to read (go to school), Also how are you going to count the money you make (go to school).
By Darrell
December 16, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
I was there!!!!He presented a positive message for hte kids. and stressed that if you have the talent andwant to succeedthat you need school. His primary example was If you sign a contract, you should be able to read (go to school), Also how are you going to count the money you make (go to school).
By HD
December 16, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Shaffer Chimere Smith is his real name. To lift as you climb is something that all of us should do daily. Good Job Ne-Yo. I think that some people always have to find negativity in everything to exist. Those are usually people who can not find happiness in their own lives.
By BlackGirl
December 16, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
OMG! Ne-Yo is his stage name!!! Have you ever heard an interview by him. He’s extremely talented, writing many of the top hits for today’s superstars.
Ne-Yo thank you for giving back. Particularly to the music departments which are dwindling in many public schools. Who’s next?
By taylor
December 16, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
good for Ne-Hi, more R&B singers should follow his example.
By taylorallen
December 16, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Good for him, more artist should follow his example!
I heard his music on some awards show and was actually impressed. and this is coming from a hillbilly white boy!
By taylor
December 16, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Sorry, I meant Ne-Yo
By sudo
December 16, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Hey Ne-Yo I could use a new strat.
I’m hoping more rappers will see the success this guy has and convert to R&B and get away from all that gangsta rap crap….
Kudos Ne-Yo
By P
December 16, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
I think it is great to give back to the community and all. However, I have meet NeYo in person is his personality is extreamly cockie. Why does it take three cars for one person to drop off one check. I don’t get it. But Great job NeYo now let work on the attitude, oh and the weight gain :-)
By P
December 16, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
I think it is great to give back to the community and all. However, I have meet NeYo in person is his personality is extreamly cockie. Why does it take three cars for one person to drop off one check. I don’t get it. But Great job NeYo now let work on the attitude, oh and the weight gain :-)
By Mrs. Belinda
December 16, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Great job! And, Merry Christmas & a victorious New Year to everyone!
By jazz
December 16, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
I don’t mean to pick on anybody.but everybody know who ne-yo is. are you a thug. What is a Ne-Yo? Stupid thug names.
he is the only artist doing someting. for inner-city kids. what are you doing. two thumps up NeYo
By Amber
December 24, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
stupid idiots ne-yo is a stage name, it is from th ematrix because he sees music as neo saw the matrix it was given to him by a producer
i love e-yo i expect him to win a few grammy’s