R&B star Ne-Yo unveiled songs from his upcoming Def Jam album "Because of You," including the hit title track, during a short set last night (April 24) at a Hennessy-sponsored party at New York club Arena. "Because of You" is due May 1; the single moves 13-12 this week on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

With Def Jam honchos Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri looking on, the artist opened with three cuts from his 2006 debut, "In My Own Words": "Stay With Me," "When You're Mad" and the Hot 100 No. 1 hit "So Sick." Before the new album's "Do You," he explained that while the debut was about his first major relationship, "Because of You" finds him chronicling the demise of that pairing.

On "Do You," he talked his way through the news that his ex is engaged and had just given birth to a daughter, with lyrics based on a letter he wrote the woman: "Swear that I'm not trying to start no trouble / tell your fiancée he can relax / I'll leave you alone for good I promise / But there's a question I've just got to ask."

The set concluded with "Sexy Love" and "Because of You," but did not feature an in-the-flesh guest turn from Jay-Z on "Crazy," who appears on the studio version. Ne-Yo will be back in New York on the new album's release date for another party at Avalon.

The artist will also tour this summer but, for now, the lone dates on his schedule are June 1 and June 7 in Grand Prairie, Texas.