Ne-Yo sings about the "imperfection of perfection" on new album ‘R.E.D.’
The US artist has a new song, ‘The Cracks in Mr Perfect’, which explains how everybody, including seemingly flawless stars, have their weaknesses.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I’m a gentleman, but I’m a human being first, and a human being is not always polished and pretty.
"’The Cracks in Mr Perfect’ speaks on the perfection of imperfection. Coming into the game, I didn’t realise the perception of the artist as this perfect being."
Ne-Yo, 30, almost called his album after the song, but was cautious of sounding like he was complaining about the privileged position he is in.
He said: "It just seemed like an excuse to complain, I realise I have nothing to complain about."
The singer and songwriter – who has previously worked with Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Beyonce Knowles – credits his musical abilities to his mother, who encouraged him to express himself when he was younger.
He added: "My mum saw I was a pent up kid. So she gave me a pen and said, ‘Write it all down’."
‘R.E.D.’ is released on Monday (05.11.12).