Mayor Carolyn Goodman made an unbilled appearance during a show on the Vegas Strip. But Ne-Yo is no ordinary artist.
Goodman surprised the recording superstar, who was raised in Las Vegas, on Wednesday night at Encore Theater with a “Key to the City” and a proclamation designating Aug. 7, 2024, as “Ne-Yo Day” in our city.
Goodman arrived two songs into Ne-Yo’s first night of a three-show “Human Love Rebellion” series at the Wynn theater. Ne-Yo has sold out all three nights, returning Friday and Saturday.
Goodman joined the performance from stage right, unannounced and carrying a mic. “We have a special surprise tonight. I am the the luckiest person to call this wonderful man Family Las Vegas,” the mayor said.
Goodman produced the key by claiming, “Yours has extra jewels than the one we gave to Usher a couple months ago.”
Wiping sweat from his brow and wearing a righteous leopard-patterned suit, Ne-Yo accepted the honor and said he was trying not to be too emotional. “I can’t cry in this suit!”
Ne-Yo was recognized for his series of hits and philanthropic contributions to Las Vegas. He spent ample time in his youth at the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Club. He moved to town at age 9 with his mother, Lorraine, after moving from Arkansas. He attended Las Vegas Academy from the ninth through 11th grades, then graduated from Rancho High School.
The 44-year-old artist, whose legal name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, has won three Grammy Awards and collected more than 23 billion streams worldwide. Ne-Yo’s NPR “Tiny Desk” performance in April has generated nearly 7 million views in only three months since its release. This summer, the RIAA announced that his collaboration with Pitbull and Afrojack on “Give Me Everything” was officially certified diamond.
Today we honored @NeYoCompound by giving him a key to the city and proclaiming Aug. 7 as Ne-Yo Day!
The Grammy-award-winning artist is a Las Vegas native has a multiplatinum catalogue including hits “Closer” and “Miss Independent.” pic.twitter.com/otM8Wc3M76
— City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) August 8, 2024
Ne-Yo most recently played Vegas at the Lovers and Friends festival at Las Vegas Festival Grounds in May 2023. His debut single, 2005’s “So Sick,” ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quadruple-platinum (more than 4 million sales). He has since rolled up a series of hits with “Closer,” “Because of You,” “Miss Independent,” and “Push Back” (feat. Bebe Rexha and Stefflon Don).”
The recording superstar has also written hits for other international hit makers. He was behind Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” “Russian Roulette,” and “Take a Bow,” along with Beyoncé’s 2006 breakup anthem “Irreplaceable” and has written for such artists as Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and Mario.
The multi-hyphen artist also has built an impressive acting resume. Ne-Yo’s film and television credits include NBC’s “World of Dance,” Netflix’s “Dance Monsters,” “Empire,” “Stomp the Yard,” “Save the Last Dance,” “Battle: Los Angeles,” “George Lucas’ Red Tails,” “The Wiz Live!,” “Starz’ Step Up: High Water,” “HipHop Family Christmas Wedding” and “The Sound of Christmas.” Ne-Yo is to be starring in the upcoming season of 50 Cent’s acclaimed drama series “BMF” on STARZ. S: Las Vegas Journal
