NE-YO's 7 Children: Everything to Know

NE-YO has seven kids — Madilyn, Mason, Shaffer Jr., Roman, Isabella, Braiden and Brixton — from three former relationships

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 daughter Madilyn Grace in 2010 and son Mason Evan in 2011, with his former fiancée, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Monyetta Shaw-Carter.

After his split from the reality star, NE-YO married Crystal Renay. The pair had three children before they finalized their divorce in 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, but my kids actually dig my music," he told PEOPLE in 2021. "They're actually the best people to get critiques on my music from."

The Masked Singer winner continued, “Normally I'll run a song by them, and if they like it, I know I'm going in the right direction."

Related: Every Winner of 'The Masked Singer': See Which Celebrities Took the Trophy

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

Madilyn Grace Shaw-Smith, 13

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 an Instagram post commemorating 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 a 2021 birthday post on Instagram as “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-YO threw a joint party for the teenager and her brother Mason. The father-of-seven made an Instagram tribute for 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 an Instagram account and YouTube channel with her younger brother Mason.

Mason Evan Shaw-Smith, 12

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

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

NE-YO promoted the book in an Instagram video at 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 his first music video for 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 on Instagram. "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 and Crystal welcomed their first child together, Shaffer Chimere “SJ” Smith Jr., on March 15, 2016, three weeks after getting married.

When Shaffer was just 5 months old, his parents took him for his red carpet debut at 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 account posted a picture of 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 on Instagram of his son wearing a cap and gown. “Proud of you lil’ man,” he captioned the photo. “Daddy loves you!”

Roman Alexander-Raj Smith, 5

NE-YO and Crystal welcomed Roman Alexander-Raj Smith on June 14, 2018.

When the singer and his then-wife announced that they were expecting 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 Christmas actor 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."

In June 2023, NE-YO celebrated Roman's 5th birthday by posting two photos on Instagram of his son playing. "HAPPY BDAY TO MY LIL’ THUG!! Daddy loves you Roman!!" the singer wrote in the caption.

Isabella Rose Smith, 2

NE-YO and Crystal announced in February 2021 that they were expecting 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 another Instagram post 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 his Instagram. "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 sons Braiden and Brixton Smith with Sade, in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

For Mother’s Day in 2023, NE-YO shared an Instagram post that 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 on Instagram with 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."

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