Ne-Yo and Keyshia Cole’s first time working together didn’t exactly go as planned—and the vibe was anything but smooth.
During an appearance on the We Sound Crazy podcast, Ne-Yo opened up about an early studio session with Cole that quickly turned awkward. When asked if he’s ever clashed creatively with another artist, he didn’t hesitate to bring up their first attempt at working together.
“I remember trying to write for Keyshia Cole and just not being able to get it right,” he shared. “She came into the studio already fired up. I’m thinking, ‘What did I do? Why are you mad at me? I don’t even know you.’”
He explained that although Cole had been introduced to him as a fellow singer-songwriter, he already had a song idea ready. But when she sat down—clearly annoyed—she didn’t immediately engage. After about half an hour, she finally asked, “What you got?”
Ne-Yo sang his draft, and she simply responded, “Yeah that’s cool, hold on,” before walking out… and never coming back.
“I’m like, okay, I guess that’s the session,” he said with a laugh.
Luckily, the rocky beginning didn’t stop them from eventually teaming up. Years later, they came together on DJ Khaled’s 2011 track “Legendary.”
