NE-YO Debuts Confessional Single '2 Million Secrets' Addressing a Toxic Relationship: 'Took Growth to Write'

Along with his new single, the Grammy-winning hitmaker also revealed he’s now a fully independent artist for the first time in his career

NE-YO is giving himself a fresh start as he unloads a brand-new “personal” single.

On Friday, June 14, the Grammy-winning hitmaker, 44, debuted a track titled “2 Million Secrets,” produced by Hitmaka. The confessional cut, released via NE-YO’s Compound Entertainment, spares no details as the singer-songwriter addresses a toxic relationship — seemingly with his ex-wife, Crystal Renay — and admits to hiding heartbreaking secrets and infidelities.

“Have you ever, ever got caught? / Talkin' blood red-handed / Damn, I ain't as smooth as I thought (Type s---) / Talkin' each and every single lie,” NE-YO croons at the top of the song.

“Every one that you told played out on the phone that she found in your bag / And a couple of graphic videos (Oh no),” he continues, “She saw it all / She saw things she can't unsee (No way that I) / Could deny that it was me, it was me.”

Related: Crystal Renay Is 'Feeling Blessed and Grateful' After Divorce from NE-YO: 'I Chose My Self-Worth' (Exclusive)

NE-YO first previewed the single during his NPR Tiny Desk Concert, which premiered on April 26. The “Sexy Love” artist introduced the track by explaining that it “took a little bit of growth on my part to even write, even more to sing.”

“This song is basically about owning your s---. That’s the best way I can put it,” he shared with the small crowd. “Nobody is above mistakes, nobody is above redemption, and you do better and you keep pushing.”

Related: NE-YO Talks Scoring 'Coolest Dad in the World Points' with His Work: 'My Kids Actually Dig My Music'

In a statement about “2 Million Secrets,” the In My Own Words artist added, “It’s a personal song that took growth to write, but I’m proud to share it with the world.”

Along with the new single and accompanying music video, NE-YO also announced that — for the first time in his career — he’s a fully independent artist. “It’s a blessing to be in this position to control my own destiny as an independent artist,” he said in his statement. “My artistry means everything to me and I’m excited to embrace this new beginning with ‘2 Million Secrets.’”

“2 Million Secrets” arrives over a year after NE-YO and Renay, 38, finalized their divorce. The former couple were married for seven years and share three children: Shaffer Chimere Jr., 8, Roman Alexander-Raj, 6 and Isabella Rose, 3 this month.

Renay filed for divorce in August 2022 — four months after the now-exes renewed their wedding vows in Las Vegas — after publicly accusing her former spouse of cheating and having a baby with another woman. A Fulton County judge dissolved their marriage on Jan. 26, 2023, per court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Related: Crystal Renay Speaks Out After Filing for Divorce from NE-YO: 'Certain Things Can't Be Forgiven'

Now refocused on his career, NE-YO is gearing up for his upcoming Human Love Rebellion residency in Las Vegas. The R&B singer’s trio of summer shows will take place at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on Aug. 7, 9 and 10.

Prior to his new single, NE-YO last dropped his ninth studio album, Self-Explanatory, in 2022. That year, he also released a deluxe edition of his holiday album, Another Kind of Christmas. 

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