Hennessy Artistry brought LL Cool J and Ne-Yo to The Kress last night for the Los Angeles leg of the premium cognac's annual concert series. And LA.com is bringing you a few minutes with Ne-Yo.

He's been blessed with a swoon-inducing voice and incredible songwriting abilities that have snagged him a Grammy and countless nominations. Humble and gentlemanly (it's his Southern roots), the crooner cutie has not let his industry success jade him into being another inaccessible pop-star divo. It's that gentlemanly swagger that gets us his fans weak in the knees.

How did you get involved with the Hennessy Artistry Tour?
We've actually been working with Hennessy for a while. But it had a lot to do with my new album Year of the Gentleman. I feel like the essence of a gentleman has been lost and we're both just trying to bring it back. One of the key elements of being a gentleman is diversity and I think that diversity is something that Hennessy prides itself on. You can find Hennessy in a party with suits and ties and gowns and you can go to a club in Hollywood with spiked hair and mohawks and find Hennessy there, too. It's diverse in that it can rock with a bunch of different kinds of people.

What's your favorite Hennessy cocktail?
If I'm drinking Hennessy, it's Hennessy and cranberry juice.



You've collaborated with so many incredibly influential musicians. What has been the most memorable collaboration so far?
It was one that I just recently did with Michael Bolton (insert LA.com gasp here). They told me that I was working with Michael Bolton and I said, "Uhhhh, Okay." I had no idea what to expect from this man. But he walked in and was the coolest guy ever. He's nothing like you would expect. He's very much a man's man that sits on the couch watching football and eating popcorn. Honestly, I expected him to be a little uptight, but he ended up being the coolest cat on the planet. And the song we did together "Call My Name" came out really hot. The chemistry was absolutely there.

What is your favorite venue to perform at in Los Angeles?
Staples Center is always nice.

Where do you like to go out to when you are in Hollywood?
This is my first time at The Kress, but it definitely won't be my last. I love the decor here. Geisha House is always great. And I think The Highlands and Opera are really nice spots. The thing is that usually when I come here, I don't get to go out because it's work. It's airport, hotel, venue, hotel, airport, home.

If you could collaborate with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Prince. I'm a HUGE Prince fan. I've met him one time. Def Jam threw a party here around Grammy time for everyone that was nominated for a Grammy and he crashed my party! It was unexpected and I was like "Oh my God, it's Prince!"

Where do you keep your Grammy?
My mom has it (insert LA.com "awwwwwww" here). She has it on this pedestal that spins with a light on it and everything.

OK, our last and most important question. Who would win in a fight - Beyonce or Rihanna?
I'm friends with both of them so I can answer this question honestly. I think Beyonce might kick Rihanna's ass. For one, Beyonce is taller than Rihanna and Beyonce is NOT fat but she's heavier than Rihanna, so there's a weight class difference. Plus, Beyonce is from Texas and they do not plaaay in Texas. Texas will kick your ass.

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