Ne-Yo delivered a tearful performance at George Floyd’s funeral, which has taken place at the Fountain of Praise Church in Houston Texas.
Floyd died on 25 May after a white policeman knelt on his neck for nine minutes despite pleas that he couldn’t breathe.
In response to his passing, Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality and systemic racism have erupted across all 50 states and internationally.
Ne-Yo began his performance with an emotional speech in which he thanked Floyd for the “sacrifice” he made.
The “Miss Independent” singer began: “Fifty states are protesting at the same time, this man changed the world. He changed the world for the better.
“I just want to personally thank George Floyd for the sacrifice so that my kids can be alright later on. I appreciate the sacrifice, my brother, I genuinely do.”
He added: “Much love and strength to the family of George Floyd. Much love and strength to the families here of anybody that’s been lost.”
The 40-year-old went on to sing an acapella performance of Boyz II Men’s “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday”.
Viewers tweeted their praise for the musician’s performance.
One wrote: “If Ne-Yo did not bring tears 2 your eyes u have an icebox where ur heart should be..”
Another user said: “Simply beautiful..brought me to tears”.
“Ne-Yo busting out in acapella for 4 minutes is everything,” a third said.
Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum were among the celebrities in attendance at the funeral.
