American RnB musician Ne-Yo /HANDOUTIf you have ever watched a Ne-Yo performance, there is a good chance you noticed the hat before you noticed the suit.
Tilted just so, paired with a sharply tailored outfit and usually finished with dark shades, the fedora has become one of the most recognisable parts of the American RnB star’s image.
However, the hat was not always about style.
Ne-Yo, born Shaffer Chimere Smith, began wearing hats when he was younger after becoming self conscious about his hairline.
What started as something practical gradually became part of the image fans would come to associate with the singer.
By the time Ne-Yo emerged as one of RnB’s biggest names, the hat had become almost as familiar as his smooth vocals.
His fashion has long drawn from the polished style of the 1940s and 1950s, particularly the era of the Rat Pack, with its suits, ties, hats and carefully put together looks.
In a 2008 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ne-Yo described his approach as being more interested in personal style than simply following fashion trends.
He also spoke about his admiration for an era when performers were expected to look the part both on and off stage.
That influence is easy to spot.
Over the years, the singer has been photographed in everything from three piece suits and fitted blazers to more relaxed looks, but the hat has remained a constant and it is not just fedoras.
His collection has included Panama hats, cowboy hats, beanies and baseball caps, showing that his relationship with headwear goes beyond one particular style.
He has also been involved in the Francis Ellargo headwear line in partnership with the Bollman Hat Company.
Still, it is the fedora that has stuck.
The slightly tilted brim, the tailored suits and the polished shoes have helped create the gentlemanly image that has followed Ne-Yo throughout his career.
It is a look that fits the music, too.
From So Sick and Miss Independent to Closer, Ne-Yo built much of his reputation around smooth R&B, romantic lyrics and performances that leaned into old school showmanship.
Now the look is coming back to Nairobi.
Ne-Yo is set to headline One Night Only: Brunch Edition at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Tuesday, October 20, as part of the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The event is scheduled to run from 3pm to 11pm, with UK showband Sol and The Gang also on the line up.
It will mark Ne-Yo's return to Kenya after his previous visit in 2015.
For fans planning their outfits, the occasion comes with a distinctly Ne-Yo-friendly dress code.
Think polished rather than overly formal as linen and cotton can also work for the afternoon, while neutral colours, smart separates and comfortable footwear fit the daytime to evening setting.
A crisp shirt with tailored trousers, a linen set or a structured blazer can capture the dressed up feel without looking like you are heading to a boardroom.
As the sun goes down, a light jacket or blazer can also come in handy.
Perhaps the easiest way to capture the Ne-Yo mood is to remember the accessory that started it all which is a fedora, tilted just enough.
For Ne-Yo, the hat stopped being something he wore and became part of who audiences expected to see when the music started.
Ne-Yo will bring the magic to Nairobi and the event will combine live music, brunch and entertainment, with him expected to perform songs from his extensive catalogue.
Tickets are currently listed on https://cms.ticketyetu.com/r/Zft, with Gold going for Sh15,000 and the Gold Couple or Friends package at Sh20,000.
Platinum four-seater and eight-seater tables are also available at Sh160,000 and Sh320,000 respectively.
