‘I am disappointed that I won’t be able to perform for my fans,’ says singer

NEW YORK - R. Kelly should have more time in the spotlight: Ne-Yo has been dropped from the singer’s nationwide tour over an apparent contract dispute with the promoter.

Ne-Yo had only performed on two dates of the tour, which got under way this month and features R&B singers Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday.

“I am disappointed that I won’t be able to perform for my fans. I love being on stage in front of fans because of the immediate feedback you get,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday. “You know right away if they are feeling you; and they were really feeling our show.”

Allan Mayer, a spokesperson for R. Kelly, said the singer did not have a role in Ne-Yo being booted off the tour: “Ne-Yo’s departure from the ‘Double Up’ tour was the result of a contractual issue between him and the tour promoter. R. Kelly had nothing to do with it.”

A representative for the tour said she did not have further information.

The “Double Up” tour is scheduled to end in January in Richmond, Va.

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