Ne-Yo Honored With Key to Las Vegas During Residency Concert

Mayor Carolyn Goodman said the Vegas-native's key has more jewels on it than the one awarded to Usher.

August 8, 2024

Ne-Yo performs on stage wearing a long-brimmed fedora hat, chain necklace, and black ensemble

Pedro Gomes/Redferns

Ne-Yo got a special surprise on the opening night of his Las Vegas residency.

The 44-year-old, born Shaffer Chimere Smith, kicked off his Human Love Rebellion residency on Wednesday at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. However, the performance was interrupted shortly after it began when Mayor Carolyn Goodman took the stage to surprise him with a key to the city.

Mayor Goodman took a second to emphasize that Ne-Yo’s key has “extra jewels” compared to the key the city gave Usher last October, just months before he would perform at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

The three-time Grammy-winning artist was also given a proclamation designating August 7 as “Ne-Yo Day” in the city in recognition of his musical achievements and philanthropic contributions which includes his work with the Boys & Girls Club.

Although he was born in Camden, Arkansas, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the singer’s family moved to Vegas when he was 9 years old.

In June, Ne-Yo released “2 Million Secrets,” his first single as a fully independent artist following stints at Def Jam and Motown.

The singer will wrap up the residency on August 10.