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| Ray J | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Ray 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.
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.
Sex tape
In February 2007, a pornographic home video he made with Kim Kardashian 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.
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 (2011)
- 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.
- "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 Humphries]] 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.
External links
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| Ray J | |
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| 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