Shaffer Chimere Smith, better known as Ne-Yo, was born in Arkansas but moved here as a kid and attended Las Vegas Academy, where he joined the R&B group Envy. Eventually, he struck gold with his solo career and as a songwriter, churning out singles not just for himself but for Mary J. Blige, B2K, Faith Evans, Mario and others. Neyothegentleman.com.

Runner-up: Toni Basil