Ray J.
| Ray J | |
|---|---|
Ray J in December 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Ray Norwood Jr. |
| Also known as | Ray J |
| Born |
January 17, 1981 McComb, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Origin | Carson, California |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actor, television personality |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts |
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| Website | rayj |
William Ray Norwood Jr. (born January 17, 1981) known by his stage name Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, television personality and actor. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, he is the brother of recording artist and actress Brandy Norwood and the first cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg. In January 2017 he competed in the nineteenth season of the UK reality television programme Celebrity Big Brother.
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. Early in his life, he moved with his family from McComb, Mississippi to Los Angeles, 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 to 1994. This period in Norwood's life would shape his acting career. 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 as Dorian "D-Money", a role he played from 1999 until the show ended in 2001.
He signed to Elektra Records in 1995 and he began to record his 15-track debut album Everything You Want the same 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. In 1998, he appeared on the Doctor Dolittle soundtrack with the single "That's Why I Lie". He produced for toy company Mattel, putting together the music for several commercials and a few of the demos for his second record.
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