NE-YO Enters a New Era With Country-Inspired Album ‘Highway 79’
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Editorial Dept.
NE-YO continues to expand his musical journey with a new album, Highway 79, that blends his signature R&B style with the storytelling traditions of country music. The album marks another milestone in a career that has spanned two decades – and produced some of the biggest songs in contemporary music. With new collaborations, recent performances, and a global tour underway, Highway 79 introduces a new chapter for the GRAMMY® Award-winning artist.
A press release from NE-YO’s team announced that Highway 79, which is his 10th studio album, is available now on all streaming platforms via Compound Entertainment.
To bring Highway 79 to life, NE-YO collaborated with country songwriters and creative voices, including Luke Laird, Charles Kelley (Lady A), BRELAND, Rhett Akins, Chuck Harmony and Tayla Parx. Highway 79 showcases the natural intersection between country storytelling and R&B soul. As NE-YO recently described it, “If R&B and country had a baby… it would be this album.“
The 11-track album follows the release of fan-favorite singles “Simple Things,” “Up Out & Gone,” “Ms. Tundra,” and “Thinking What I’m Thinking,” which introduced listeners to NE-YO’s country-inspired sound ahead of the full project. Adding to the excitement, “Up Out & Gone” is officially the No. 1 record at the R&B format this week, further underscoring the momentum surrounding Highway 79.
Stream Highway 79:
Beyond the album release, NE-YO took the stage at One Times Square in New York City as part of America250’s Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show, alongside Mary J. Blige and Brad Paisley. NE-YO also recently performed during Disney Celebrates America: Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash, joining an all-star lineup that included Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Boyz II Men, Nick Jonas, and The All-American Rejects.
He is also currently touring globally on the ‘Nights Like This’ global tour alongside Akon. The 57-city run kicked off April 24 in Dublin and continued through major cities across Europe and North America before concluding August 21 in Los Angeles. The Canada dates are now underway, and the U.S. leg begins July 10, coinciding with the release of Highway 79 and marking another major milestone in the album rollout.
Order the limited CD/Vinyl HERE
The release arrives during a milestone chapter in NE-YO’s career. Earlier this year, he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his landmark debut album, In My Own Words, the record that launched him into superstardom with era-defining hits including the quadruple-platinum classic “So Sick,” alongside favorites such as “Sexy Love” and “When You’re Mad.” NE-YO also marks another career milestone with Highway 79, his 10th studio album. Across two decades, he has amassed more than 23 billion global streams, earned three GRAMMY® Awards, scored five No. 1 singles in the UK, and built one of modern music’s most versatile catalogs spanning R&B, pop, soul, dance, reggae, and now country, continuing to evolve while remaining rooted in the timeless songwriting that has defined his career.
Highway 79 Track List
- Up Out & Gone
- Hate Me Now
- Wish I Didn’t Know You
- Thinking What I’m Thinking
- Dance Right Now
- Miss Tundra
- Next Round On Me
- Simple Things
- Only Ever Been You
- Crooked Halo
- If I Roped The Moon
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