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| **Ray-J** |
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| **Biography** |
  A quick scan of Ray J's resume reveals the 15 year old singer/actor wasted little time when it came to working on his chops. "Learned to walk and talk at an amazingly early age," it states under a heading marking the first year of his birth. It would figure, then, that it was only a matter of time until this confident young man would put the gifts God gave him to maximum use. You can be fairly sure it was no surprise to Ray J's parents that he sought and secured his first acting job at the age of eight, and that he finished one of the most anticipated debut R&B albums of the year even before he could get a driver's license. But if the brash funk and tempting hooks of his debut album, Everything You Want, impact like industry insiders are predicting, Ray J will be needing a set of wheels to keep one step ahead of all the commotion that's sure to surround him. But then again, Ray J is familiar with commotion.  "I do keep active, I'll admit to that," he laughs. "I've always been motivated to act and perform, I guess, to express myself." The multi-talented singer is modestly discussing his already numerous acting roles which include L.J., the son of Sinbad on the 1993 TV sitcom "Sinbad," participation in 1995's BET presentation, "When We Were Colored," with director Tim Reid and Phylicia Rashad; the 1994 HBO Special "The Enemy Within," with Forrest Whitaker; and to a myriad of commercials over the years for a host of companies, including McDonald's, Denny's, Walt Disney and Nintendo. He recently garnered a role in the 1996 Tim Burton directed opus, "Mars Attacks," and has just completed the upcoming movie "Steel" with Shaquille O' Neal. Even though, as he likes to point out, he "put off the singing career for awhile to pursue acting," (not realizing the irony of a 15 year old lamenting that he hasn't worked on his singing enough) he has always had "an album inside my head waiting to get out." His musical aspirations were gently nurtured by both parents. "My father directed the choir at our church so I sang there at an early age. My mother always recognized I had a special knack for singing but never pushed me." The effects of such generous but cautious support cannot be understated. Ray J, who is obviously loaded with talent, was never goaded (like a lot of young stars) into over-reaching. "My family has always been musical, so I progressed naturally. Even though my sister started a lot earlier than me, I always knew I would get a chance to show the singer inside of me." This step-by-step approach is made all the more amazing when you consider that the "sister" Ray J is talking about is the superstar singing/acting sensation Brandy. Twenty three months older than him, she started singing at the tender age of two. But a few minutes spent with the talkative Ray J reveals no trace of the kind of ominous shadow often cast by showbusiness siblings. Even in the most casual conversation, the love and support they have for each other shines through. You can also see it in the many guest appearances Ray J has made in Brandy's videos. And the sure-handed grooves and powerful vocal poise that Ray J displays on his LP, like the sumptuous "Can't Run, Can't Hide," or the tantalizing "Goodthangs" confirms that their musical talent just may be in the genes. He's more than willing to add to the family's hit making legacy, but make no mistake that there's also something distinctly unique about this young singer. He combines an extremely knowledgeable musical ear with raw but confident ëI-got-your-back' vocal dynamics that recalls a seasoning beyond both of their years. He's one of a handful of young singers today that knows how to dramatically pinch and extend his vocals, much like a player of an instrument. "I listen to a lot of music, it doesn't matter whether it's old or new, and I don't rule anything out," he says about the influences that have brought him such an early musical maturity. The musical well he draws from ranges from old school R&B, to current artists like Jodeci, Brandy, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Da Brat, Bobby Brown, and Whitney Houston. Such open-mindedness tempers a hint of bravado in the teenager. Ray J radiates both a polite respectfulness and a kind of infectious swagger that reflects the joy of whatever peaks his curiosity. "I like a lot of hip hop, when I'm out with my friends just hanging, that's what I'll listen to. A lot of my friends are singers or into show business somehow so a lot of our conversation when we're playing ball or riding dirtbikes, which I love to do, will revolve around what we're listening to, what we're working on." Whether it's brainstorming about ideas or jamming in the studio, Ray J's all for it. He recently contributed a track, "Let It Go," to the platinum-plus Set It Off soundtrack, which whetted his appetite for more musical collaborations. It was so well received it's the first single from his album Everything You Want. Born in McComb, Mississippi, Ray J moved to California with his family when he was two years old. And even though his obvious talent had him auditioning at an early age, he has always been able to establish a circle of peers who, as he says: "Make me feel comfortable. We have fun and I couldn't be doing all this at such a young age if it wasn't fun." You can visualize the kind of environment he's talking about on the free-for-all intro that kicks off the LP. Friendly catcalls and teasing taunts of support swirl around Ray J, literally popping off the speakers on this rousing, mood-setting opening. It's a virtual playground of sounds, with Ray J making his prophetic own pronouncement about where he tends to take the listener with this stunning debut: "I feel the funk on the horizon - I'm realizin' that funk is coming back."   It's the perfect call to arms from a new singer who not only knows his beats, but has gathered around him some of the purest purveyors of new funk to supe up his debut effort. "There isn't a loop or a sample on this record," boasts the young singer. Keith Crouch, who has produced Ray J's sister Brandy and Toni Braxton, among others, helms many of the tracks, including "Can't Run, Can't Hide," "Goodthangs," and the silky ballad "The Promise." "I love Keith, he's my mentor," Ray J beams, "I couldn't imagine making this record without his guidance." The thick, smoothed over layering of sound slithers with subtle nuances, but also drops the bombastic now and then, with Ray J's agile voice conveying the kind of honest emotion rarely heard these days on a teen album. Additional production is provided by noted songwriter Kipper Jones ( he's written for Brandy and Denise Williams, among others) who lends his expertise to the LP. Jones co-produces with Keith on "Everything You Want," which he co-wrote with Ray J, and the funk-infested Prince-like creation "Thank You," Brandy shares the spotlight with her brother on the track, one of the highlights of the LP. The song is a thumping, textural tapestry of driving beats, complemented by Ray J's rolling/breathy vocal, a percolating-noizy breakdown complete with flute solo, and like the rest of the LP, utilizes all originally crafted sounds and instruments throughout. Hot new producer Delite (currently working with Billy Lawrence) brings his talent to the track, "Changes." Ray J, aspiring to be a songwriter/producer, shows his skills on "Because Of You," co-written with Keith Crouch and "Rock Me," co-written and co-produced with Keith Crouch. The entire album sustains a cohesive, near-liquid production that makes that "funky horizon" that Ray J talks about a reality from beginning to end. Ray J plans to use the magic they created in the studio as a jumping off point for his live show. He's had an incredible amount of performing experience, including touring with Boyz II Men and Brandy in 1995, a stint at New York's famous Apollo Theater, and a month long role in an off Broadway musical, "Twist," in Philadelphia. "I think performing live on stage is the place where I'll be able to use what I've learned in acting," he says. "Whether you're doing a scene in a TV show or a movie or you're trying to get an emotion across when you're singing some ballad, you're still coming from the same place (the heart). You're trying to reach people so that they come away feeling what you want them to feel." His career goals are increasing every day. He will continue to act, sing, and produce. "The great thing now is I'm able to do both, which hopefully will help me to grow," Ray J says thoughtfully. "Well, at least I have time to grow," he corrects himself, spoken like any multi-talented 15 year old who believes there is always a ray of hope.  __________________________________________________________________________________________ Music has the power to instantly set a mood, whether it be sad, serious, or fun. So when Ray J began working on his Atlantic debut, "THIS AIN'T A GAME," his goal was to inject the energetic, raw vitality so often absent from R&B. The handsome, multi-talented 20-year-old born Willie Norwood, Jr. has created a sophomore album that ignites with the flare of a hip hop party record while incorporating plenty of R&B sparks. Combined, these elements are destined to keep his throngs of female fans happy. The Southern California-bred, McComb, Mississippi native began his pursuit of stardom at age 8, when he started receiving calls to do television commercials. By 12, Ray J was on television in a co-starring role on the critically acclaimed The Sinbad Show. Ray J's future as a successful entertainer was inevitable. His singing abilities landed him a recording deal when he was just 14. "EVERYTHING YOU WANT," Ray J's well-received first album proved that - like his big sis, recording and television superstar Brandy - he has what it takes to grab the entertainment world by storm. With a string of movie roles, a co-starring spot on the top-rated UPN sitcom, Moesha, and a brand new gig hosting The Source Sound Lab, Ray J has carved out a major niche for himself. Ray J's musical vision has expanded tremendously since his 1996 debut. "Then, I didn¹t know what type of direction I wanted to go in," says Ray J. "Being that Brandy came out and blew up, I just went with the flow. But after my album dropped and I saw what was out there, I started to develop my own ideas about what I wanted to do with my music." Since 1996, Ray J has appeared on the RIAA platinum and double-platinum soundtracks to the major theatrical releases Set It Off and Dr. Dolittle, respectively. His years of honing his production skills also earned him an opportunity to produce music for Mattel. The leading toy manufacturer hired him to produce music for the commercials advertising Brandy's Barbie doll. The young producer, who also wrote and produced a jingle track for Candees, is currently developing his own production company, Knock Out Entertainment, and continues to produce music in his spare time. "I started producing when I was 12," says Ray J. "When the (keyboard/drum machine) ASR10 first came out, I got that. I messed with that for a few years, and then I got a MPC, and then I just built around that. I just mess around with the beats and just started putting my company together." At the urging of Ray J's keen music tastes, he summoned the best producers around to contribute to the new "THIS AIN'T A GAME." The Neptunes (Kelis, Mystikal, Jay Z) produced "Wait A Minute," featuring Lil' Kim. This track already has mix show and club deejays across the country going wild - not to mention the major bombs Funk Master Flex has been dropping for the record all over New York's Hot 97. New York's premier mix tape icon, DJ Clue, produced "I Got It All," the fiery "Wait A Minute" B-side. Both allow Ray J to showcase his crisp, convincing rap skills. Teaming with producer Rodney Jerkins and The Dark Child camp, Ray J proves transcendent on the uplifting infectious mid-tempo ballad, "Keep Your Head Up To The Sky" - an instant classic if ever there was one. Bryson Evans and Lil' Mo, solo artist and one of Missy Elliot's writing partners, produced the anthemic "I Tried," a fictional account of a girlfriend gone ballistic. And up-and-coming producer Antonio "4Eva" Mobley has composed the hot album pick, "Where Do We Go From Here," a standout ballad that stresses the strains extensive traveling puts on relationships. On the flip side of that sentiment is the hip hop-flavored, Neptunes-produced "Formal Invite," a sex-fueled joint that sees Ray J complemented by a rap from Neptune Pharrell Williams. "People might think that I'm coming out hardcore," Ray J says of parental advisory themes heard on "Formal Invite." "I've never been hardcore. I'm just on the edge. I don't feel like I got a clean-cut image, and it feels good to be able to do what I want to do. Whatever I go through in life, I just put it on my album this time." "I really don't want to come off more as a rapper or singer," continues the artist. "I'm really trying to come off more as an entertainer."  Ray J's knack for being able to switch emotional gears so effortlessly comes from his numerous years of acting experience. He proved his versatility with key roles in Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored, with Al Freeman, Jr. and Phylicia Rashad; The Enemy Within, with Forrest Whitaker; Mars Attacks!, with Jack Nicholson; Steel, with Shaq O'Neal; and Aftershock: Earthquake In New York, with Charles S. Dutton and Cicely Tyson. But, the weekly grind of playing Dorian on the top rated UPN sitcom Moesha has shaped him into an even better actor. "Acting is like a big challenge to me," Ray J says humbly. "There are a lot of challenging roles that I got to play, but my role on Moesha is my best right now. I think I graduated when I got on Moesha. I learned a lot more." In fact, Ray J's character on Moesha, Dorian, isn't a far cry from his real life persona. For instance, when he's not working, the personable, charismatic artist spends his spare time hanging out with family and friends. A huge car buff, Ray J enjoys his cars (namely his 1964 Chevy), ATVs, dirt bike, and newly acquired motorcycle. Though he is now coming of age, his personality is the same as it was while growing up in Carson, California, where he loved to sing in his family church, watch movies, and play sports and video games. In 1997, it was only natural for him to stand in support of The Norwood Kids Foundation alongside his sister. Through the performing arts, the charitable organization has provided activities for more than 250 disadvantaged and at-risk youth in both Los Angeles and McComb, Mississippi. Staying grounded has helped Ray J evolve as an all-around artist, and the results of the new album are incredible. |
| **More Biography On Ray-J** |
 Name: Willie Raymond Norwood, Jr. Age: 20 Birthday: January 17 Home: Carson, CA Hometown: McComb, MS Mom: Sonja Dad: Willie Sibling: Brandy Norwood Girlfriend: He's single, (according to Brandy) Soundtracks: Set It Off, Dr. Doolittle (the new one) Debut Album: Everything You Want Sitcoms: The Sinbad Show, Moesha Movies: Once Upon A Time...When We Were Colored, Mars Attack, The Enemy Within, Steel   |
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