US R&B star Ne-Yo is to receive $700,320 in damages from a concert promoter after he was removed from a tour with fellow musician R Kelly.

Ne-Yo was scheduled to support on R Kelly's tour last November but was dropped from the bill just a week into the jaunt.

At the time, the singer said it was because fans preferred him – an allegation that R Kelly publicly denied – but tour company Rowe Entertainment said it was because they could not obtain a full contract for the musician.

Ne-Yo sued the company in January. Rowe Entertainment never responded to the case.

A judge at Los Angeles Superior Court said last week that they must pay the performer, reports the BBC.

(by Jason Gregory)