Moo-ving Victory: Ne-Yo Unmasked as 'Masked Singer' Winner

Photo Credit: Michael Becker/Fox

The enigmatic journey of Grammy-winning R&B sensation Ne-Yo took a surprising turn on Wednesday night when he was triumphantly unmasked as the winner of Fox's hit show, "The Masked Singer," leaving fans wondering with renewed interest, "Where has Ne-Yo been?"

After nearly three months of mesmerizing audiences disguised as a retro diner waitress cow, Ne-Yo clinched the Season 10 title. His final performance, a rendition of Rihanna's "Take a Bow" delivered while still in costume, left both judges and viewers in awe. Panelists Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger correctly identified the masked artist, while Jenny McCarthy and Ken Jeong were delightfully surprised.

'Masked Singer' Season 10 Winner NE-YO Shares Why He Decided to Perform as a 'Busty' Female Cow

“I was trying to figure out any possible way to throw them that much further off my scent. When the producers came to me with the costume, they were like, “We want you to be a cow,… pic.twitter.com/ED5CTSbr12

— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) December 21, 2023

Ne-Yo revealed a strategic reason for choosing the "female cow" persona. "I intentionally threw them off track," the singer — who previously competed on the U.K. version of "The Masked Singer" where he was a finalist but did not win — said. His calculated move worked, allowing him to outwit the judges and ultimately defeat fellow finalist John Schneider, masked as Donut.

The 44-year-old artist, renowned for hits like "Miss Independent" and "Because of You," dedicated his victory to the powerful women who shaped his life, particularly his mother. "What I learned in that house is the strength of a woman — I’m talking physical and mental," he shared. He elaborated on the valuable lessons he learned from these influential figures, emphasizing the importance of listening, emotional intelligence, and self-reliance. "My mother has been my rock my whole life, — she still is to this day," he added.

Ne-Yo (as Cow) performs "Rhythm Nation" by Janet Jackson on The Masked Singer.

Full vocal showcase:https://t.co/g4xeXlS03E#Vocals #Singing #VocalRange

— Hugo Vermello (@hugovermello) December 21, 2023

Now joining the esteemed ranks of "Masked Singer" champions like T-Pain, Jewel, and Teyana Taylor, Ne-Yo celebrated his victory as a remarkable return to the limelight. Reflecting on his unexpected win and unconventional costume choice, he expressed pure joy. "I had so much fun. Even if I hadn't won, I still would've just totally enjoyed the experience. I never thought that one of my most fun stage performances would be with me dressed up as a female cow of all things. I never would've imagined that."

Unstoppable Force: 'Pink Friday 2' Cements Nicki Minaj as Billboard Charts Ruler with Triple Crown

In a resounding triumph for Nicki Minaj, her latest release, "Pink Friday 2," has not only asserted her dominance in the rap genre but has also etched her name in the annals of music history. The album's success has catapulted Minaj to new heights, securing her status as the female rapper with the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, a remarkable three in total. Additionally, "Pink Friday 2" claims the title of the biggest female rap album of the decade.

Nicki Minaj best selling albums GLOBALLY (CSPC)(Equivalent Album Streaming Units)

1. Pink Friday — 9,989,000
2. Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded — 9,814,000
3. The Pinkprint — 6,956,000
4. Queen — 3,162,000
5. Pink Friday 2 — 1,453,000 (NEW)

Total: 53.8 Million Album Units… pic.twitter.com/NkomtL1aZ7

— 📈📉 (@QCWorldwide) December 20, 2023

The album's impressive performance, amassing over 228,000 units in total consumption and boasting 170 million album streams, underscores Minaj's unwavering influence in the industry. With this feat, she becomes the first female rapper to achieve a No. 1 album in two different decades, a testament to her enduring chart-topping prowess.

"Pink Friday 2" not only dominated the overall Billboard 200 but also clinched the top spots on the "Album Sales," "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums," and "Rap Albums" charts. The success culminates in a top-ten overall album debut for the year, solidifying Minaj's reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Minaj's impact extends beyond album sales to Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart, where she notches her 50th top 10, tying for the third-most among all acts. The achievement is propelled by three new tracks from "Pink Friday 2," including "Everybody" (No. 3), "FTCU" (No. 5), and "Barbie Dangerous" (No. 10). This accomplishment positions Minaj alongside rap heavyweights Kanye West and reflects her exceptional influence in the rap genre.

As she secures her place in the upper echelons of Hot Rap Songs, Minaj's tally of top 10 hits now stands at 50, sharing the third position with Kanye West. Drake and Lil Wayne hold the top two spots with 133 and 54 top 10 hits, respectively.

Nicki Minaj takes accountability on instagram live and explain to her fans that they can’t be mad at labelmate Taylor Swift vinyls being in stores because “there’s a demand for it”

—“Taylor Swift is on a roll right now”pic.twitter.com/GAMhLE0w4O

— Stats of Minaj (@statsofminaj) December 20, 2023

"Pink Friday 2" doesn't stop at the three top 10 hits, extending its impact with nine more debuts on the Hot Rap Songs chart. These include tracks such as "Let Me Calm Down," featuring J. Cole, and "Beep Beep," reinforcing Minaj's versatility and widespread appeal.

This monumental success aligns with Minaj's recent birthday celebration on December 8th, marking her forty-first year and coinciding with the album's release. Despite a career spanning over a decade and a half, "Pink Friday 2" stands as only Minaj's fifth studio project, emphasizing the thoughtful pace at which she crafts her albums.

While the album showcases Minaj's signature rap style and features collaborations with artists like Lil Uzi Vert and J. Cole, it also delves into introspective moments. The track "Are You Gone Already" reflects on the tragic death of Minaj's father in a hit-and-run in 2021, adding depth to the album's narrative.

However, the extensive length of "PF2" – twenty-two tracks over seventy minutes – poses a challenge, leaving the album feeling somewhat unfocused. Minaj's biting humor and rap prowess shine through, but the sheer volume of tracks occasionally dilutes the impact of her message.

Despite its minor shortcomings, "Pink Friday 2" has secured Minaj's record as the female rapper with the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, reinforcing her indelible mark on the rap landscape. As Minaj continues to shape the narrative of female rap, her achievements with "Pink Friday 2" serve as a testament to her enduring influence and artistry.

T-Pain Auto-Tunes into Vegas with First-Ever Residency

Image Courtesy Zouk Group

In a city where musical legends are becoming synonymous with residency announcements, T-Pain is gearing up to make a memorable entrance into the Las Vegas entertainment scene. Joining the ranks of recent hip-hop and R&B residency revelations like Jodeci and Wu-Tang Clan, T-Pain is set to headline his first-ever residency at Zouk Nightclub and Ayu Dayclub in 2024.

Las Vegas is primed for a hip-hop and R&B takeover in 2024, with the newly announced residency joining a growing lineup of genre powerhouses like Jodeci and Wu-Tang Clan. Following their super-smash 1995 album, Jodeci will bring "The Show, The Afterparty, The Vegas Residency" to House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, kicking off on March 15th.

The "Buy U A Drank" singer T-Pain announced the news on Instagram Tuesday, expressing his fervent anticipation for the venture. "Full speed towards 2024," he declared, tagging @zoukgrouplv and @ayudayclub. "I'm proud to officially announce that I'm kicking off my FIRST EVER Vegas residency at Zouk Nightclub and Ayu Dayclub. Catch my very first show on Thursday, February 8th at #ZoukNightclub – Tickets are live, join me for a ride you won't forget."

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Meanwhile, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan will paint the town with "Wu-Tang Clan: The Saga Continues… The Las Vegas Residency" at Theater at Virgin Hotels during Super Bowl weekend in February and again on March 22nd and 23rd during March Madness.

T-Pain joins this vibrant tapestry with his first-ever residency, set to ignite Zouk Nightclub and Ayu Dayclub throughout 2024. Kicking off on Super Bowl weekend with a bang on February 8th at Zouk Nightclub, his shows promise to blend chart-topping hits, his trademark infectious energy, and some "special surprises" for Vegas audiences.

Zouk Group and Resorts World Las Vegas echoed the enthusiasm, officially welcoming T-Pain as their newest resident headliner for 2024.

"We are thrilled to start off the year with an artist of T-Pain's caliber gracing our venues," expressed Joe Lopez, Vice President of Zouk Group Las Vegas, in a statement released by the company. "He's a true icon in the music industry, and his residency perfectly aligns with our commitment to delivering unmatched entertainment experiences for all our guests."

The residency will kick off on Super Bowl weekend, February 8th, 2024, at Zouk Nightclub, and fans will have the opportunity to witness T-Pain perform at both Zouk Nightclub and Ayu Dayclub throughout the year.

More than just a chart-topping artist with over 50 million singles sold, billions of streams, and 10 iconic #1s on the Billboard Hot 100, T-Pain is a cultural force. His unique blend of Auto-Tune-infused vocals and witty lyricism reshaped the landscape of pop, hip-hop, and R&B, influencing artists across genres. While his reality TV appearances and entrepreneurial ventures have solidi his position as a multi-faceted entertainer and businessman.

Tickets for the residency are on sale now here.

Residency Dates:
Thursday, February 8th at Zouk Nightclub
Saturday, April 20th at Zouk Nightclub
Sunday, May 26th at Ayu Dayclub
Thursday, July 11th at Zouk Nightclub