Born Willie Raymond Norwood Jr. on January 17, 1981 in McComb, Mississippi, Ray J had to deal with feelings of being left behind and neglected by his mother, who always focused her attention on his only sibling, the famous singer Brandy.
Ray J revealed in an interview that it was due to his mother's lack of attention that he went to the streets where he found camaraderie and comfort from strangers.
During his early years, Ray J was making a living from commercials and minor roles on TV shows and movie films. However, he was motivated to begin a musical career, inspired by the success achieved by her sister Brandy and his cousins Bo Diddley and Snoop Dogg.
Ray J signed to Elektra in 1995 and recorded his debut album "Everything You Want" supported by prestigious producers and songwriters. In 1997, he performed by his sister's side on a TV special with no major success so Electra dropped him shortly after.
Ray J caught the attention of Brandy's television show producers and was hired to join the cast of "Moesha" in 1999. During those days Ray began to produce music for commercials and songs for his second album.
Ray J participated alongside his sister Brandy from 1999 to 2001 when the last episode of "Moesha" was aired. The siblings eventually recorded several songs that were featured in films such as "Set it Off" and "Another Day In Paradise" at the time that Ray began to focus on his musical career full-time.
From 2001 to 2004, Ray J recorded a number of hit singles that hit the top ten charts all over the world, collaborating at a time with other fellow musicians and bands including Lil' Kim, The Neptunes, and Rodney Jerkins among several others.
Ray's second album, "This Ain't A Game" was more pop oriented that his previous recording, obtaining the RIAA gold certification but not the breakthrough success that was achieved with his third album, "Raydiaton" released in 2005, an album that represents every mood of Ray J according to his own words.
Actually there are unconfirmed rumors talking of a forthcoming Ray's news album expected to be released sometime between 2007 and 2008.
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