Ne-Yo has just seen it all in his decorated career. But the hitmaker was caught off guard during his Residency Human Love Rebellion concert in Las Vegas on Wednesday night (August 7) as he received a prestigious accolade.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman surprised him on stage with the key to the city of Las Vegas and also officially renamed August 7 as Sin City Ne-Yo Day.
He broke the show into two songs to present the singer — born Shaffer Smith — with the key to the city, while giving him his flowers for his success as a musician, as well as his philanthropic efforts in the city where he grew up. “Yours has extra jewels [compared] to the one we gave Usher two months ago,” Goodman said. “You are home, my dear… Congratulations!”
Rocking a leotard suit and with the crowd chanting his name, Ne-Yo began to get emotional. “Thank you,” he began. “I don't want to get emotional, I'm trying to fly. I can't cry in this suit. Thank you to our wonderful mayor, thank you to the city of Las Vegas, thank you all for being here.”
NE YO
Wynn Las Vegas
It's been a celebratory year for Ne-Yo, who began his independent journey in June after two decades in the major label system with Motown and Def Jam Records. “It's a blessing to be in this position to control my own destiny as an independent artist,” he said at the time. “My art means everything to me and I'm excited to embrace this new beginning with '2 Million Secrets.' It's a personal song that took some growing to write, but I'm proud to share it with the world.”
Ne-Yo's Human Love Rebellion residency continues this weekend with a pair of shows at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, where he'll take the stage on August 9th and 10th.
Watch the video below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/ne-yo-key-las-vegas-day-named-after-him-1235749177/
