Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr., a.k.a Ne-Yo, fathers two children (daughter Madilyn Grace,18 months, and son Mason Evan, 8 months) who take his breath away. The singer loves spending quality time with his kids and expressed his love for fatherhood in People magazine’s special Father’s Day issue.
I’m not going to be that dude that predestines my children’s future. I’m just going to do my best so that my daughter doesn’t end up on a pole and my son doesn’t end up on the corner. And whatever they do outside of that is pretty much their decision.
Spending quality time with 1-year-old Madilyn.
“I’m the parent who Madi comes to when she wants to get tossed up in the air. Madi’s a little rough and tumble with me because she was my first kid. So all of the little boy things I wanted to do, I did with her. She and I wrestle, and she loves it.”
Choosing Mason’s name.
“We needed him to have a name that felt like a gentleman, like somebody you have to respect. Mason Evan Smith, you have to respect that name.”
Check out the full spread in PEOPLE magazine’s Father’s Day issue, available in retail stores and newsstands throughout the country.
Photo: People’s Latest Issue