Ne-Yo lashes out at lip-syncing singers: 'Learn how to entertain' Ne-Yo has taken aim at singers who lip-sync, saying they need to learn how to entertain. SOUL superstar Ne-Yo says lip-syncing singers should learn how to entertain - or get off the stage. The singer-songwriter, whose hits include Irreplaceable and Because Of You, told Confidential: "If you're an artist, your job is to learn how to entertain. As an artist, you need to learn to sing or dance, or sing and dance at the same time. That's your job. You can't be a mechanic, but let somebody else fix the car. Why would they bring it to you? They'd just take it to the guy who's fixing it. The same thing is true about being an artist. If I want to hear what you sound like on the CD, I'll just listen to the CD. His comments come as Beyonce was busted miming at US President Barack Obama's inauguration, and Britney Spears lip-syncing entire concerts. Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Smith, 33, also took aim at performers using production to cover weaknesses. He said: "If you don't do sing so well, or dance so well, and you need a bunch of pyro, smoke and mirrors to cover up that fact, I have an issue, because I'll feel like I haven't got my money's worth." Ne-Yo also revealed his dilemma over songs he wrote for the late Michael Jackson. He said: "There were six songs Mike had picked out that I had written. I honestly can't say what will happen with those songs. It's a touchy subject. I can't put them out and try to sell them because everyone will think I'm trying to make money off Mike. And I can't give them away or sing them myself because they're Mike's songs. Jackson planned to record Ne-Yo's songs after his 2009 This Is It Tour. Jackson died on the eve of the concerts. "Mike wanted songs about love and positivity," Ne-Yo said. He felt there was enough negativity going in the world and we didn't need another person singing about it. He wanted to create smiles through all the tears and frowns. I believed it. Ne-Yo will co-headline Supafest with T.I and 50 Cent at Perth Arena on April 25, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, April 26; Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, April 27; RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane, April 28.