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Ray J | |
|---|---|
 Norwood in 2011 | |
| Born | William Ray Norwood Jr. January 17, 1981[1] McComb, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Works | |
| Television | |
| Spouse |
Princess Love (m. 2016) |
| Partner | Kim Kardashian (2002–2006) |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Willie Norwood |
| Relatives | Brandy Norwood (sister) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | R&B[2] |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | |
| Website | rayj |
William Ray Norwood Jr. (born January 17, 1981),[1] known professionally as Ray J, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, television presenter, and actor. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, he is the younger brother of singer and actress Brandy.[3]
Ray J's 1997 debut single, "Let It Go", was released by EastWest Records for the soundtrack to the F. Gary Gray film, Set It Off. Both moderate hits, the song peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and additionally served as lead single for Ray J's debut studio album, Everything You Want (1997), which entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. He then signed with Atlantic Records to release his second album, This Ain't a Game (2002). Led by his second top 40 single, "Wait a Minute" (featuring Lil' Kim), the album became his first to enter the Billboard 200–at number 21. His 2005 single, "One Wish", peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded his third album, Raydiation (2005), which commercially trailed the success of both the song and his previous album. The albums were each met with mixed critical reception.
In 2007, he co-starred in the controversial adult film, Kim Kardashian, Superstar, opposite then-relatively unknown actress Kim Kardashian. This foresaw the release of his fourth album, All I Feel (2008), which was critically panned, but yielded his furthest commercial success at number seven on the Billboard 200, also spawning his highest-charting single, "Sexy Can I" (featuring Yung Berg), which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Released independently, his 2013 single, "I Hit It First" (featuring Bobby Brackins), peaked at number 51 on the chart, providing a brief period of resurgence as it discomfited his previous affair with Kardashian.
In January 2017, he competed in the nineteenth season of the British reality television series Celebrity Big Brother. In his entrepreneurial career, he launched the technology company Raytroniks in 2016, as well as the Raycon line of direct-to-consumer earbuds in 2017.[4]
- ^ a b Torreano, Bradley. "Ray J – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ "Ray J Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
- ^ "Ray J, Biography". HERDsay.com. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
- ^ "RAY J REVEALS FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS WHILE LAUNCHING HIS TRONIX TELEVISION NETWORK". Blackenterprise.com. March 29, 2024.