Singer-songwriter Ne-Yo’s songs are ubiquitous on radio stations across the country these days. His latest album, 2008’s Year of the Gentleman, propelled the Las Vegas local to the top of the charts, where he has remained with each subsequent single.

Las Vegas is proving itself to be a hotbed of musical talent, with Ne-Yo the latest in a string of Sin City hit-makers (The Killers and Panic at the Disco topped the charts before him).

The R&B star began his career penning hits for stars like Mario, Beyoncé and Rihanna, before eventually bursting onto the music scene with his own singles. In 2006 he released I n My Own Words, establishing his identity as a soulful singer in the vein of Usher and Chris Brown.

His second album, Because of You, was released the following year, and though Ne-Yo was becoming more popular, it wasn’t until Year of the Gentleman that the singer’s star truly began to shine. Songs like “Closer,” “Miss Independent” and “Mad” dominated the pop charts last year, and if those singles are any indication, 2009 may be this gentleman’s year as well.

Ne-Yo performs at the Palms February 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49, $59 and $69.

By Caitlin McGarry