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| Ray J | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Ray Norwood Jr. |
| Also known as | Willie Norwood, Jr. |
| Origin | Carson, California, United States |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, rapper |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Atlantic, Knockout/Deja 34, E1, Koch Entertainment, Elektra |
| Website | www.rayj.com |
William Ray Norwood Jr. (born January 17, 1981), better known by his stage name Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor.
Early life
William Ray Norwood Jr. was born in McComb, Mississippi to Willie Norwood and Sonja Bates-Norwood. His older sister Brandy is an award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist. His first cousin, Snoop Dogg, is a multi-platinum recording rapper.
Early in Ray J's career, he was known for wearing a Pacers headband.
Music career
Everything You Wanted (1997)
Elektra Records in 1995 and recorded his debut album Everything You Want the next year. "Let It Go" appeared on the Set It Off soundtrack. It peaked number 25 in the U.S. and number 11 in New Zealand. The second single peaked at number 54 on the U.S. R&B chart. In 1997, he was dropped from the label. He produced, putting together the music for several commercials and a few of the demos for his second record.
This Ain't a Game (2001)
Ray J recorded "Another Day in Paradise" with Brandy, which was a Top Ten success in Austria, UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands and number 11 in Australia and France. The song was the lead single of the R&B/Hip Hop tribute Urban Renewal, in which he co-produced and performed songs. Norwood also worked with The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins and Lil' Kim, and several other producers and singers for his second studio album This Ain't A Game. The album was released in 2001. The lead single "Wait A Minute" peaked at #30 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart and #8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Formal Invite" followed at #54 on the R&B chart.
Raydiation (2005)
After a two year break, Norwood returned to recording studios, adding the finishing touches on his third studio album Raydiation with help from producers such as Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland, R. Kelly, and Rob Egerton. A joint venture by Sanctuary Records and Ray-J's own label, independent Knockout Entertainment, the album was finally released on September 27, 2005 in North America after several delays, debuting at number forty-eight on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 18,321 copies in the first week. The album's lead single "One Wish" was a top 20 success in the US, UK, Ireland, and New Zealand. Raydiation eventually sold over 400,000 copies domestically.
All I Feel (2008)
Knockout Entertainment announced a multi-million dollar album deal with Koch Records and Shaquille O'Neal's "Deja 34" entertainment company. The first album for this deal is Ray J's fourth album All I Feel, which features The Game and Yung Berg among others. It was released on April 1, 2008. The album's first single is "Sexy Can I" featuring rapper Yung Berg peaked at number three on the Top Singles (Hot 100) for six weeks. A video for the track, directed by R. Malcolm Jones, was shot in December 2007. J stars in the Black Christmas movie Dark Christmas under the direction from Deon Taylor.
Raydiation 2 (2010-present)
Ray J is currently working with his sister Brandy Norwood on their collaboration album Trust, Knowledge & Opportunity & his upcoming solo album Raydiation 2 with his first single "Last Wish" The sequel to his 2005 smash hit "One Wish" both produced by hit maker Rodney Jerkins.
Other Ventures
Acting career
Early in his life, he moved with his family from McComb, Mississippi to Carson, California, and in 1989 started appearing in television commercials for different companies. In 1989, at the age of eight, Norwood began auditioning for and appearing in television commercials; he played the foster son in "The Sinbad Show, from 1993-1994. This period in Norwood's life would shape his acting career to come. According to Bradley Torreano of allmusic, "his easygoing image and boyish looks appealed to the producers of Brandy's television show, Moesha", giving him a role on the UPN series starting in 1999 as Dorian "D-Money". In 2005, Norwood joined the cast of UPN's One On One, where he played the character of D-Mack for the final season. On both shows, Ray's character was related to Brandy's (cousin/half-brother on Moesha, brother on One on One).
Reality Television
In 2009, Norwood starred in his own VH1 reality dating show, For the Love of Ray J. The show premiered on February 2, 2009. For his show on March 24, 2009 he released the soundtrack/studio album called For The Love Of Ray J. On November 2, 2009, the show's second season premiered. In 2010, Norwood and his sister Brandy Norwood premiered the VH1 reality series Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business along with their parents. He also played the role of Roberto in the movie Christmas at Water's Edge in 2004.The show debuted in April 2010 and chronicled the backstage happenings of both siblings, while taking a bigger role in their family's management and production company, R&B Productions.
Personal life
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Ray J is the brother of singer Brandy Norwood and first cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg. He has dated Kim Kardashian. In February 2007, a pornographic home video he made with Kim Kardashian in 2003 was "leaked". Kardashian sued Vivid Entertainment for ownership of the tape. In late April 2007, Kardashian dropped the suit and settled with Vivid Entertainment for $5 million.
He attended the funeral for pop star Whitney Houston on February 18, 2012. As the casket was being carried from the church after the service, Ray J -- who was seated with his sister Brandy Norwood behind the Houston family at the front of the church -- reached up to touch the casket. Afterwards, he sat in his pew crying, while being comforted by his sister.
Discography
Main article: Ray J discography- Studio albums
- Everything You Want (1997)
- This Ain't a Game (2001)
- Raydiation (2005)
- All I Feel (2008)
- Raydiation 2 (2012)
- Soundtrack albums
- For the Love of Ray J (2009)
Filmography
Film
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Television
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References
- ^ Torreano, Bradley. "Ray J – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- Moss, Corey (September 26, 2006). "Snoop Reunites With Dre, Improves Macking Mojo On Blue Carpet". MTV News.
- "Ray J > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
- ^ "R&B Singer Ray J Readies 2008 Release of All I Feel". Singersroom. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
- HHWorlds.com – Ray J Signs W/Koch Taps Snoop, Game, & Lil Wayne Fore New LP (December 12, 2007)
- 'Chain Letter' Director Plans Holiday Horror with 'Dark Christmas'
- "UPN Adds Five Fresh New Faces To Ensemble Comedy "One On One" This Fall". Retrieved March 10, 2007.
- Moss, Corey (September 26, 2006). "Snoop Reunites With Dre, Improves Macking Mojo On Blue Carpet". MTV News.
- Vivid Entertainment (February 7, 2007). "Vivid Entertainment Spends $1-Million To Acquire Notorious Video 'Starring' Sexy Socialite [[Kimberly Kardashian|Kim Kardashian]] And Hip Hop Star Ray J". Hip Hop Press. Retrieved October 6, 2008.
{{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - Johnson, Richard (May 1, 2007). "Happy Ending". New York Post. Retrieved February 26, 2008.
- "The Enemy Within (TV 1994)". IMDB. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
External links
Template:Misplaced Pages books
| Ray J | |
|---|---|
| Discography | |
| Studio albums | |
| Soundtracks | |
| Singles | |
| Featured singles |
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| Related topics | |
- Use mdy dates from August 2010
- 1981 births
- Living people
- Actors from California
- Actors from Mississippi
- African American film actors
- African American musicians
- African American rappers
- African American television actors
- American male singers
- American rhythm and blues singers
- American child actors
- Atlantic Records artists
- Musicians from California
- Musicians from Mississippi
- Participants in American reality television series
- People from Los Angeles County, California
- People from McComb, Mississippi
- Rappers from Los Angeles, California