Tommaso Boddi/BET/Getty Images for BETThe story of how up-and-coming R&B vocalist Candice Boyd became a music industry success sounds almost too good to be true. Taken under the wing of Ne-Yo, who offered her a production deal with his label imprint, Compound Entertainment, Boyd was soon introduced to Epic Records.
“I met Ne-Yo through a mutual friend, his name is Sauce. Sauce hit me up and and was like, ‘Yo, Ne-Yo needs a demo singer. Can you come through?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah! I’ll come through!'” she tells ABC Radio.
“So I came down and he pretty much offered me a production deal…with Compound…the second day he asked me…and then Ne-Yo and Compound, of course, walked me into Epic, so that’s how that came about.”
Boyd also gained experience on the road, touring with none other than Eric Benet for two years. The performer refers to Benet as “real humble” and “a hard worker” and recalls Benet’s helpful nature on tour.
“You know, some people can kind of put you on the back burner, but he always brought me to the front of the stage, and he would be like, ‘Yeah, ya’ll know she’s ’bout to sign with Ne-Yo!’ and ‘You know, Ne-Yo done took my girl!’…he always kind of gave me a platform, so I appreciate that.”
Then there’s Boyd’s debut single, “Damn Good Time,” which features rapper French Montana. The music video for the track has gained more than 300,000 views on YouTube. Still, Boyd never had any doubts that it would be a success.
“Whatever we put out…we’re gonna make sure we give you guys quality, so I did expect it to get, you know, the reaction that it got, but, you know…I’m not gonna shout yet until I’m on the Grammy stage.”
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