Ne-Yo gained recognition for his songwriting abilities when he wrote Mario's 2004 hit single "Let Me Love You". Its successful release prompted a meeting between Ne-Yo and Def Jam's then-president Jay-Z, resulting in a contract in which he released four commercially successful studio albums and numerous hit songs for the label. Ne-Yo's debut single, "Stay" (featuring Peedi Peedi) was released in 2005 to lukewarm commercial reception, although his second single released later that year, "So Sick" became his breakthrough hit as it topped the Billboard Hot 100. Both of which, along with the follow-up singles "When You're Mad" and "Sexy Love," preceded the release of his debut studio album In My Own Words (2006), which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and saw positive critical reception. Furthermore, the album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and attained platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as United Kingdom, Japan and Australia.
