Pregame festivities for Game 4 of the 2026 World Series will include a rendition of the national anthem by three-time Grammy Award-winning artist NE-YO, setting the stage for the Tampa Bay Rays' do-or-die game to keep their championship hopes alive against the Milwaukee Brewers.
NE-YO first gained national recognition as the songwriter behind Mario’s 2004 hit "Let Me Love You," a chart-topping single that led to his own recording contract with Def Jam Recordings in 2005.
The following year, NE-YO released his breakthrough debut album, "In My Own Words," in 2006. The album featured his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, "So Sick," and went on to achieve platinum status. In addition to "So Sick," the album spawned other popular singles, including
"Sexy Love" and "When You’re Mad."
In addition to his 20-year musical career, NE-YO has also made notable appearances in television and on Broadway. Most recently, he competed in season 10 of "The Masked Singer" as “Cow” and emerged as the winner.
In 2025, NE-YO released the single "Simple Things," and that same year, he made his Broadway debut in "Hell’s Kitchen," Alicia Keys’ semi-autobiographical musical, where he played the role of Davis. NE-YO followed up in 2026 with the release of his album, "Highway 79," marking his first album release after a four-year hiatus.
The Brewers stand on the brink of a historic achievement, aiming to complete a series sweep over the Rays and capture their first-ever franchise championship.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is singing World Series Game 4 national anthem? 3-time Grammy winner NE-YO to perform
