Studio Album · No. 9
Highway 79 Songwriting Credits by Ne-Yo
Produced by Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly, Bonnie Dymond, Jimmy Robbins, Luke Laird
Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented
Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether Ne-Yo carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Ne-Yo built his reputation writing for other people before he recorded his own records, and on Highway 79 he holds a writing credit on all eleven tracks. What has changed is the room. The Nashville names on this album, Luke Laird, Jimmy Robbins, J. T. Harding and Charles Kelley of Lady A, are country writers rather than the R&B collaborators of his earlier work, and his longtime partners Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony appear on four tracks as both writers and producers.
Highway 79 is Ne-Yo's ninth studio album, released on July 10, 2026 through HSG Ventures and 10K Projects. His first since Self Explanatory in 2022, it leans country and Americana rather than R&B, with Nashville writers and producers throughout, including Luke Laird, Jimmy Robbins and Lady A's Charles Kelley. Eleven tracks run 37 minutes.
Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Up Out & Gone
|
Ne-YoMilan ModiLouis YorkDavid Tomasek | Shaffer Chimere SmithMilan ModiLouis YorkDavid Tomasek | Yung Lan | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Hate Me Now
|
Ne-YoChristopher Steven BrownJett HarveyShelby Keith Porras | Shaffer Chimere SmithChristopher Steven BrownJett HarveyShelby Keith Porras | Brody BrownKP | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Wish I Didn't Know You
|
Ne-YoSasha Alex SloanJ. T. HardingJimmy Robbins | Shaffer Chimere SmithSasha Alex SloanJ. T. HardingJimmy Robbins | Jimmy Robbins | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Thinking What I'm Thinking
|
Ne-YoClaude KellyChuck Harmony | Shaffer Chimere SmithClaude KellyChuck Harmony | Chuck Harmony | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Dance Right Now
|
Ne-YoDaniel BrelandSam SumserSean Small | Shaffer Chimere SmithDaniel BrelandSam SumserSean Small | Sam SumserSean Small | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Ms. Tundra
|
Ne-YoClaude KellyChuck Harmony | Shaffer Chimere SmithClaude KellyChuck Harmony | Chuck Harmony | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Next Round On Me
|
Ne-YoJesse Wilson | Shaffer Chimere SmithJesse Wilson | Jesse Wilson | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Simple Things
|
Ne-YoDave CohenMilan ModiChristian StalneckerMadi Yanofsky | Shaffer Chimere SmithDave CohenMilan ModiChristian StalneckerMadi Yanofsky | Dave CohenYung Lan | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Only Ever Been You
|
Ne-YoChuck HarmonyClaude KellyEmmi ElliotBonnie DymondJohn HallTommy Acker | Shaffer Chimere SmithChuck HarmonyClaude KellyEmmi ElliotBonnie DymondJohn HallTommy Acker | Bonnie DymondChuck HarmonyClaude Kelly | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Crooked Halo
|
Ne-YoBonnie DymondChuck HarmonyClaude Kelly | Shaffer Chimere SmithBonnie DymondChuck HarmonyClaude Kelly | Bonnie DymondChuck HarmonyClaude Kelly | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
If I Roped the Moon
|
Ne-YoLuke LairdCharles Kelley | Shaffer Chimere SmithLuke LairdCharles Kelley | Luke Laird | Ne-Yo (Lead Vocals) |