By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Being on top is the best place to be.

Just ask R&B crooner Ne-Yo, who has the best-selling album this week with his new opus, titled 'Because of You.'

Featuring collaborations with Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and hip-hop impresario Jay-Z, the self-produced Def Jam disc has sold more than 250,000 copies sold in its first week, confirms his record label publicist Jana Ryanne Fleishman.

'Because of You,' is the Camden, Arizona native's second #1 debut. His platinum-plus selling debut 'In My Own Words,' also stormed the Billboard 200 chart.

According to Fleishman, the album's chart-topping was propelled by the title track, which is the first single -- a Top 10 staple at pop and urban radio stations across the country. The next single, 'Do You,' is slated to hit radio later this month.

After making a string of notable TV appearances, including Live with Regis & Kelly, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Tavis Smiley Show, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Ne-Yo is now preparing for an 18-city nationwide tour kicking off May 31 at The Norva in Norfolk, Virginia,. With Trey Songz as an opener, the jaunt will play through through July 5 in San Antonio, Texas. (Dates below)

On a serious side, Ne-Yo (born: Shaffer Chimere Smith) recently founded The Compound Foundation which is committed to service at risk and disadvantaged youth. In addition to building two new group homes in the Atlanta area, The Compound Foundation will sponsor performances, motivational speakers and mentorship opportunities with leaders and business people within the community.

NE-YO U.S. TOUR DATES

May 31 Norfolk, VA The Norva

June 1 Washington, DC Love Nightclub
2 Mansfield, MA Tweeter Center
5 Atlanta, GA Center Stage
7 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre at
Grand Prairie
8 Kansas City, MO Voodoo Lounge
9 Sacramento, CA Raley Field
11 Phoenix, AZ Marquee Theatre
12 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
13 San Diego, CA House of Blues
14 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
15 San Francisco, CA Fillmore
17 Seattle, WA Show Box
21 St. Louis, MO Six Flags
22 Detroit, MI Chene Park
24 Bridgeview, IL Toyota Park
28 Agawam, MA Six Flags
29 Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues
30 New York, NY Copacabana

July 2 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest
5 San Antonio, TX Six Flags