Ne-Yo was born in Camden, Arkansas, but after relocating, he soon became a proud representative of Las Vegas, Nevada, a place he continues to call home. Moreover, he’s been rocking Sin City as of late with his Human Love Rebellion residency, a concert series that set the stage for a very special honor in his career. Moreover, the city’s Mayor Carolyn Goodman surprised the “2 Million Secrets” singer at his Wednesday show (August 7) and honored him with the Key to the City. Not only that, but Goodman also declared that Vegas will celebrate Ne-Yo Day on August 7 from this year onward.
“Yours has extra jewels [compared] to the one we gave Usher two months ago. You’re homegrown, my dear man … Congratulations!” the mayor told Ne-Yo two songs into his set. Goodman also remarked on his prowess, talent, and success as a musician, as well as his philanthropic efforts that have supported Las Vegas. While the 44-year-old still catches salacious headlines these days, such as dating rumors between his ex-wife and Maino, his music and art continues to speak louder than these elements… for better or worse.
Ne-Yo Honored By Las Vegas Mayor: Watch
“Thank you,” Ne-Yo emotionally told the crowd chanting his name as he accepted the Key to the City in a leopard print get-up. “I don’t want to get emotional, I’m trying to be fly. I can’t cry in this suit. Thank you to our lovely mayor, thank you to the city of Las Vegas, thank you all for being here.” This follows more concerning and divisive stories surrounding this legacy and career. He recently faced accusations from a former partner alleging assault and child neglect, though this hasn’t resulted in any sort of conclusion or verdict at press time.
But we know that Ne-Yo is in a very different, polygamous state right now when it comes to his love life. While there are still plenty of unanswered questions, these controversies exist within an otherwise beloved and continually successful trek as an artist. We’ll see what happens next, but for now, we can celebrate his artistry and acknowledge the great things he’s done for the city of Las Vegas. There will be a time, place, and due process for all the rest.
About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a music and pop culture news writer for HotNewHipHop. He started in 2022 as a weekend writer and, since joining the team full-time, has developed a strong knowledge in hip-hop news and releases. Whether it’s regular coverage or occasional interviews and album reviews, he continues to search for the most relevant news for his audience and find the best new releases in the genre. What excites him the most is finding pop culture stories of interest, as well as a deeper passion for the art form of hip-hop and its contemporary output.
Specifically, Gabriel enjoys the fringes of rap music: the experimental, boundary-pushing, and raw alternatives to the mainstream sound. As a proud native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he also stays up-to-date with the archipelago’s local scene and its biggest musical exponents in reggaetón, salsa, indie, and beyond.
Before working at HotNewHipHop, Gabriel produced multiple short documentaries, artist interviews, venue spotlights, and audio podcasts on a variety of genres and musical figures. Hardcore punk and Go-go music defined much of his coverage during his time at the George Washington University in D.C.
His favorite hip-hop artists working today are Tyler, The Creator, Boldy James, JPEGMAFIA, and Earl Sweatshirt.
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