NE-YO: 'MUM'S ADVICE SAVED MY VOICE'

NE-YO: 'MUM'S ADVICE SAVED MY VOICE'

NE-YO has his mother to thank for his singing career - because she taught him how to have a more manly voice.
The Because of You star admits his vocals weren't very macho when he kicked off his music career.
And it was some invaluable advice from his mum - to try to imitate Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder - that caused him to change his style of singing, setting him on the path to stardom.
He tells USA Today newspaper, "I hated my voice. I thought it was too high and tinny and nasal. I wanted to have more of a growl, you know?
"She (my mother) said, 'Study these artists, because their tone is similar to yours, and you'll find your own voice'. And sure enough, I did."