Grammy-winning R&B hitmaker NE-YO is officially expanding his sonic footprint into the country music space with the announcement of his forthcoming country-inspired album, Highway 79, scheduled for release on July 10 via Compound Ent.
To accompany the announcement, NE-YO has released a new single titled “Ms. Tundra.” Produced by Chuck Harmony, the track is described as a high-tempo, line dance-ready anthem that seamlessly fuses NE-YO’s signature smooth vocal delivery with upbeat country instrumentation and crowd-driven storytelling.
Recorded entirely in Nashville, Highway 79 marks a deliberate genre-blending exploration for the veteran artist. The album’s title serves as a deeply personal homage to his roots, referencing both his birth year (1979) and Highway 79, located in his birth state of Arkansas.
In addition to “Ms. Tundra,” the forthcoming project will feature previously released tracks such as “Simple Things” and “Up Out & Gone.”
This new musical chapter builds upon NE-YO’s increasing presence in the country music landscape throughout 2025. His transition into the genre was highlighted by a milestone debut at the historic Grand Ole Opry, where he premiered “Simple Things” and performed a medley of his classic R&B hits, including the chart-topping “So Sick.”
NE-YO is currently supporting his new musical era on the road with the “Nights Like This Tour,” featuring special guest Akon. The massive 57-city trek kicked off on April 24 at the 3Arena in Dublin and will make stops in major international and domestic markets—including London, Paris, Atlanta, Houston, and Toronto—before concluding on August 21 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
“Ms. Tundra” is available now across all major streaming platforms, with pre-orders for Highway 79 officially open ahead of its July 10 release.