Ne-Yo To Sue R Kelly Over Recent Tour Dismissal

Ne-Yo has launched a lawsuit against fellow American R&B star R Kelly over his dismissal from the performer’s recent tour.

Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Smith, claims that he was fired from the tour because fans and critics favoured him more than R Kelly.

According to the lawsuit, Ne-Yo and Compound Touring are suing Row Entertainment Inc. – R Kelly’s concert promoters – over alleged breach of contract.

Ne-Yo was due to open every night of the 25 date tour but was removed from the line-up after just two shows. In the lawsuit he claims to have been fired.

The R&B star also claims that he is still owed $735,000 of his $785,000 appearance fee for the tour.

In a statement, a representative of R Kelly, who is not named as a defendant in the case, said it was the concert promoters decision to remove Ne-Yo from the tour.

“Ne-Yo may think blaming the situation on R. Kelly will improve his chances of collecting from the promoter, but if he does, he is sadly mistaken," they told AP.

 "Anyone remotely familiar with R. Kelly knows he is confident enough in his own abilities to be happy to share the stage with enormously talented people — the more talented, the better."