Ne-Yo says he doesn't want to "predestine" his children's future.

The singer is father to two children with partner Monyetta Shaw; Madilyn Grace, 16 months, and Mason, five months.

He told People magazine that he was very picky when it came to choosing what he would call his kids because he didn't want to do the typical wacky celebrity baby names thing.

"We needed him to have a name that felt like a gentleman, like somebody you have to respect," he told the publication about deciding on his son's moniker.

"Mason Evan Smith, you have to respect that name. It's a very strong, very stout name.

"I'm not going to be that dude that predestines my children's future. I'm just going to do my best so that my daughter doesn't end up on a pole and my son doesn't end up on the corner. And whatever they do outside of that is pretty much their decision."

And Ne-Yo says juggling his busy schedule with fatherhood isn't always easy.

"Some people say, One day at a time,'" he noted. "I say, One minute at a time.'"