NE-YO's 7 Children: All About His Sons and Daughters

Mar. 15, 2025

NE-YO and his ex-wife Crystal Renay with some of NE-YO’s kids.Photo:Ne-Yo Instagram

Ne-Yo Instagram

NE-YO’s children make him feel “blessed.”

The “Let Me Love You” singer, born Shaffer Chimere Smith, is the proud dad of seven children. He welcomed his first daughterMadilyn Grace in 2010andson Mason Evan in 2011,with his former fiancée,Real Housewives of AtlantastarMonyetta Shaw-Carter.

After his split from the reality star, NE-YO married Crystal Renay. The pair had three children before they finalizedtheir divorcein January 2023: Shaffer Chimere Jr. was born in 2016, Roman Alexander-Raj joined the family in 2018 and Isabella Rose was welcomed in 2021.

The Grammy winner’s youngest children, Braiden and Brixton, were born in 2021 and 2023, respectively, to influencer Sade Jenea Bagnerise.

In September 2011, NE-YO told PEOPLE, “[Fatherhood] has been a ride, but I’m loving every minute of it.”

The R&B star has said his children have even helped with his career. “I don’t know about any other entertainers and their kids, butmy kids actually dig my music,” he told PEOPLE in 2021. “They’re actually the best people to get critiques on my music from.”

Here is everything to know about NE-YO’s seven children, Madilyn, Mason, Shaffer Jr., Roman, Isabella, Braiden and Brixton.

Madilyn Grace Shaw-Smith, 14

NE-YO’s daughter Madilyn Grace Shaw-Smith.Ne-Yo Instagram

NE-YO and Monyetta welcomed Madilyn Grace Shaw-Smith on Nov. 12, 2010.

“I’ve been in love before but this feels like nothing I’ve ever felt,” the singer-songwriter told PEOPLE after his daughter’s birth. “Like I’m in love for the first time."

NE-YO dedicated his 2012 song “Alone With You (Maddie’s Song)” to his eldest child, and in anInstagram postcommemorating National Daughters Day in 2019, the singer said his firstborn was “one of the few things I’ve gotten right on the very 1st try.”

He described Madilyn in a2021 birthday post on Instagramas “a leader, an incredible big sister,” as well as “smart, talented, compassionate, beautiful, bold” and “clever.”

For her 13th birthday in November 2023, Monyetta and NE-YOthrew a joint partyfor the teenager and her brother Mason. The father-of-seven made anInstagram tributefor her milestone celebration, writing, “The words to express how proud I am to be your dad don’t even exist.”

He continued, “The world will try to break your spirit and tell you what to be. I’d be worried if I didn’t know how strong and smart you are. Shine on em’ my love. And if anything ever does shake you, know for a fact that dad will ALWAYS be there to hold you down.”

Madilyn shares anInstagram accountandYouTube channelwith her younger brother Mason.

Mason Evan Shaw-Smith, 13

NE-YO’s son Mason Evan Shaw-Smith.Ne-Yo Instagram

NE-YO and Monyetta welcomed their son Mason Evan Shaw-Smith on Oct. 9, 2011.

He is the inspiration behind his mother’s 2020 bookThe Chronicles of Nice Guy Maso,which “demonstrates what happens when one boy’s kindness becomes his unassuming superpower," perthe book’s website.

NE-YO promoted the book in anInstagram videoat the time, joking that he might be responsible for his son being “really good at singing” and “really good at dancing.”

The “Miss. Independent” singer also described Mason as “really funny” and “a super nice guy.”

In 2021, NE-YO’s eldest son released hisfirst music videofor the book’s theme song, “Nice Guy, Good Guy.” In the visual, Mason dances and sings with his dad and sister.

On his 12th birthday in October 2023, NE-YO posted a photo of himself and his firstborn son onInstagram. “One of the joys of my existence is watching your personality bloom. You’re funny, smart and talented of course…but above those things, you’re a genuinely good person,” the singer wrote in the caption. “Always wanting to help those in need. Not for any reward. But because it’s the right thing to do.”

He continued, “You’re a classy lil’ dude and I’m proud to be your dad!!”

Shaffer Chimere “SJ” Smith Jr., 8

NE-YO’s son Shaffer Chimere “SJ” Smith Jr.Ne-Yo Instagram

NE-YO and Crystal welcomed their first child together,Shaffer Chimere “SJ” Smith Jr., on March 15, 2016, three weeks aftergetting married.

When Shaffer was just 5 months old, his parents took him forhis red carpet debutat the Teen Choice Awards.

Like his older siblings, Shaffer also has a public Instagram account that he shares with his younger brother and sister. In 2018, the accountposted a pictureof NE-YO and Shaffer with the caption: “Daddy came home in time to take me to school for the first time yesterday! 🤗 He’s the best dad ever!”

Shaffer attended the NAACP Image Awards with his dad and his siblings in 2019. The kids' Instagram account posted pictures from the event. “Our dad is the coolest😎 We love you!” the caption read.

In 2021, when Shaffer Jr. graduated from preschool. NE-YO shared a photo onInstagramof his son wearing a cap and gown. “Proud of you lil’ man,” he captioned the photo. “Daddy loves you!”

Roman Alexander-Raj Smith, 6

NE-YO’s son Roman Alexander-Raj Smith.Ne-Yo Instagram

NE-YO and Crystal welcomedRoman Alexander-Raj Smithon June 14, 2018.

When the singer and his then-wife announced that they wereexpecting their second child together, Crystal posted a photo of herself and NE-YO and wrote, “I thank you for choosing us to be your parents!”

The Sound of Christmasactor told PEOPLE in 2021 that his “favorite Father’s Day gift of all time thus far has definitely been” his son Roman. He added, “He was born three years ago on Father’s Day — that’s the greatest one so far.”

Isabella Rose Smith, 3

NE-YO’s daughter Isabella Rose Smith.Ne-Yo Instagram

NE-YO and Crystal announced in February 2021 that they wereexpecting their third child together.

The couple’s daughter,Isabella Rose Smith, arrived on June 25, 2021. “She came 4 weeks early but right on time for mommy!” Crystal captioned a now-deleted Instagram post from the delivery room. “Born at 11:11 am (lucky lil lady) 5 lbs 7 oz of perfection 🥺🥰 My world is finally complete.”

In anotherInstagrampost from June 2021, the proud mom described Isabella as her “daddy’s twin.”

For his younger daughter’s 2nd birthday, NE-YO posted a tribute to her on hisInstagram. “GOD I THANK YOU FOR BLESSING ME WITH THIS LIL’ BUNDLE OF ENERGY AND ATTITUDE,” he wrote in the caption. “I LOVE YOU MY LIL’ PRINCESS!! HAPPY BDAY BELLA BELLA!! DADDY LOVES YOU!!”

Braiden and Brixton Smith

NE-YO welcomed his sonsBraiden and Brixton Smithwith Sade, in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

For Mother’s Day in 2023, NE-YO shared anInstagram postthat included photos of his mom, his sister and the three “beautiful mothers of my beautiful children:” Monyetta, Crystal and Sade.

In July of the same year, the singer posted a photo onInstagramwith his seven children, cradling Braiden and Brixton in his lap.

“I’m a FATHER before I’m anything else. Not money, not fame, not even the love of the craft,” he wrote in the caption. “I’m nowhere near perfect and that’s ok. My kids love me … The best thing I’ve ever done.”

source: people.com