Ne-Yo Toasts Fatherhood, New Album at Release Parties

Ne-Yo has a checklist of accomplishments to celebrate—he’s just stepped into fatherhood with the birth of his daughter—and the crooner kept the ball rolling Wednesday night (Nov. 17) with an invite-only affair to toast the completion of his fourth album, Libra Scale, at two NYC hot spots: vintage lounge Millesime and posh nightclub Lavo.

Dressed in a wine-colored V-neck, tan button-down, black slacks, and his signature cap, Ne-Yo arrived in style and greeted guests like Hot 97 radio personality Angie Martinez. As invitees softened their palates with red and white wine, the man of the hour’s triumphant hits blasted from the speakers.

Ne-Yo took to the venue’s stage, giving a brief introduction and performing a few old favorites and material from his new album, which drops Monday (Nov. 22). Cheers accompanied “So Sick,” as fans took a trip down memory lane while the Las Vegas native’s vocals rang through the room. He then brought it back to the present with the bittersweet tune “Beautiful Monster.” Before moving into “One in a Million,” the new father intimately opened up about the addition to his family. “There’s a whole new meaning behind this song,” he revealed. “Because I found my true ‘one in a million.'”

Before clinking glasses with a lady in the front row, the R&B gentleman, filled with utter joy, shared the moment with those in attendance. “We’re gonna break out the champagne and everyone gets a glass!” he exclaimed. On that note, the suave singer ended the affair at Millesime by performing “Champagne Life” to raucous applause. He later moved to midtown Manhattan to party the night away at Lavo, but not before joking that he had the doors locked, so everyone might as well drink.

–Tanya Remekie