Ray J

William Ray Norwood Jr., known professionally as Ray J, is an American R‑B singer, songwriter, rapper, television presenter, actor, and entrepreneur whose career has spanned over three decades. Born on January 17, 1981 in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, he entered the entertainment industry at the age of eight, appearing in television commercials before landing a recurring role as D‑Money on the UPN sitcom Moesha (1999‑2001). His debut single “Let It Go” (1997) appeared on the Set It Off soundtrack and launched his first album Everything You Want, which entered the Top R&B/Hip‑Hop Albums chart. Subsequent releases such as This Ain’t a Game (2002) and Raydiation (2005) produced notable hits like “Wait a Minute” and “One Wish,” the latter reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2008, his fourth album All I Feel featured the platinum‑selling single “Sexy Can I,” peaking at No. 3 and cementing his status as a chart‑topper. Beyond music, Ray J has built a diverse television résumé, starring in reality series For the Love of Ray J, Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business, and Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, while also appearing on Celebrity Big Brother (UK) and hosting game shows. His entrepreneurial ventures include founding the tech company Raytroniks (2016) and co‑founding the direct‑to‑consumer audio brand Raycon (2017), expanding his influence into consumer electronics.

Ray J’s personal life has been equally public. He married Princess Love in August 2016; the couple share two children, daughter Melody (born May 22, 2018) and son Epik Ray (born January 7, 2020). The marriage dissolved amid a 2020 divorce filing. Notable controversies include the 2007 release of a private video with Kim Kardashian, a series of legal incidents from 2011‑2014, and his outspoken support for political figures such as Donald Trump. Despite these challenges, Ray J continues to release music, develop business projects, and maintain a presence in popular culture, illustrating a resilient and multifaceted career.