UB Anniversary ReVisit: Ray J Talks One Wish, Lil Kim + UBG

Over the next few months, we’ll be spotlighting features from our e-zines from the last 25 years. T M H Entertainment, T M Hxone and Urban Bridgez.

As the longest running website for R&B online, since 1999 – We’ve been able to conduct some amazing interviews with R&B Royalty, as well Hip Hop Legends.

UB has also been blessed to speak with some of black cultures, biggest icons & executives.

Ray J was born in McComb, MS and moved with his family to Carson, CA, when he was still a toddler, landing him in the center of the entertainment industry.

He started auditioning for commercials at age eight, scoring several gigs until he caught the eye of comedian Sinbad, who was casting children for his upcoming TV show.

Ray J played his foster son, until the series was canceled in 1993. From there, he began acting in films, appearing in “Steel” and “Mars Attacks!”

He signed with Elektra in 1995, releasing “Everything You Want” in 1997.

In 2005, with the launch of Urban Bridgez Group. We had the pleasure of welcoming Ray J to our client list. We helped with pre-album promotion for his album “Raydiation.”

“Raydiation” was his first independent project, and in-fact Ray J‘s biggest selling album, till this day. Ray J said about the release at the time to Billboard; “My main thing was to show my versatility. It’s been two years of blood, sweat and tears. But I’m happy.”

The first he unleashed as the master of his own destiny via his own Knockout Entertainment company. That album features the single that changed the entire direction of his career, the galvanizing ballad “One Wish“, marking his defiant state of liberation after two albums on “major” labels.

As an independent artist, Ray J earned his first #1 single on the R&B charts with “One Wish” which helped push his “Raydiation” album over the 400,000 sales mark which is phenomenal for an indie release in today’s retail climate.

In recent years, the multitalented business shifted his focus from music, to the tech world. He secured a $31 million deal securing the launch of his electronics transportation brand Raycon. The $31 million deal, paid in the form of equity and cash, was finalized between Ray J and Cowboy Wholesale, a leading distributor of consumer electronics based in New York City. Ray J takes an active full-time role in the newly formed partnership, overseeing marketing and global branding strategy.

Having conquered the music game and learned the TV world as the star of shows like Sinbad, Moesha, One On One, and the Rickey Smiley Show – Ray J created, executive produced and starred in two of the most successful and talked about reality shows of the last decade, VH1’s #1 hit For The Love Of Ray J and Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business.

In which Urban Bridgez Group was involved with marketing and designing the official sites at the time for Brandy, Sonja Norwood & Ray J.

Continuing his entrepreneurial spirit, Ray J changed the equation by adding the moniker of author to his long list of accomplishments via the book Death Of A Cheating Man. Ray J stars in the VH1 smash #1 hit TV series “Love & Hip Hop Hollywood” and now in Miami.

In 2017 he married Princess Love with whom he has two children.

In this spotlight, Aries spoke with Ray J about the process of recording and the release of “Raydiation” and the monster lead single “One Wish.”

Ray J also gets candid about his place in the industry and on the episode of PUNK’D where he appeared with sister Brandy.

Plus he shows love to Lil Kim and UBG.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you think “One Wish” can be your “U Make Me Wanna?”
Ray J: Exactly! I think this could really be my big record. It showcases my talent. I mean I’ve done the in the club songs and all of that, but this is something new for me and the fans to see. This is really my opportunity to showcase my talents.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you hate being constantly reminded that your Brandy’s brother? Like you forgot?
Ray J: Nah, I just feel happy to still be standing. I mean she is the one that did it all for me, I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for her. I need my shine and crossover success and I think when that happens it will go away. Brandy is my mentor, my all.

UrbanBridgez.com: What can we expect from “Raydiation?”
Ray J: It’s the complete package. I think everybody will be able to relate to it. I mean it’s about my life, troubles and how I changed all of that around. I mean as a man I know what my responsibilities are. I want people to listen to my voice and my runs – I changed a lot through these last few years and this album reflects that.

UrbanBridgez.com: Will you incorporate any dancing in your videos? Like you did with “Let It Go” back in ’96?
Ray J: Yep. “One Wish” I’m doing some spins and turns in the video (laughs). See in “Let it Go” I was in training, basically doing what Elektra wanted me to do, that was their vision. You can see my passion now. This time it’s mine, I’m the one that wants to do spins and be energetic and just be me. So fans can see the passion now because it’s actually coming from me.

UrbanBridgez.com: Will the song “War Is Over” with Brandy be a single?
Ray J: Man I really want it to be. But if it’s not, it’s going to be the campaign song for the Norwood Kids Foundation. I wanted it to be on any type of compilation for anything dealing with the War going on in the world.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who is someone that you would like to work with that you haven’t already?
Ray J: Dr. Dre. I’m such a hip-hop fan and such a Dr. Dre fan. I mean I’ve had the opportunity to work with all of the other producers I wanted to. Pharrell, R. Kelly, Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins. I didn’t work with Pharrell on this project, but with “Wait A Minute.”

UrbanBridgez.com: You’ve been through a lot with the process of making this album, what was the most memorable moment?
Ray J: There have been so many, but I would have to say when my mom sent me to Miami. She wrote me a check and said go! I got in the hit factory and just started recording. Before I had a deal or anything. My mom just said go and give your all and everything will fall into place and it did. Me and Detail (Knockout Entertainment) just started working and ended up hooking up with Timbaland and R Kelly. We was recording in a little studio, not bigger then this room I’m talking to you in right now. I just wanted to show my all this time around.

UrbanBridgez.com: You worked with Lil’ Kim on your second album. How do you feel now that she has to serve some time in prison? What is your advice to Kim now that she is one of the first female rappers, if not the first, to go to prison?
Ray J: I feel real bad. I just want her to keep her head up and to do real good once she gets in, so she can get out early. She was one of the first to really believe in me next to my mom and Brandy. She gave me a shot early and I really appreciate her for that.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you feel you deserve way more credit than what you get?
Ray J: Nah, I appreciate what I do get. I made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I’m moving forward. I’ve learned from those mistakes. I feel I’m where I’m suppose to be at this point. I want people to feel my talent as a singer, I think that’s where I’m misunderstood.

UrbanBridgez.com: Not too long ago, on PUNK’D Brandy was exploiting her stardom and riches to get out of trouble. Do you think celebs should be let off easy just because they are stars and looked as “innocent teens”?
Ray J: (Laughs) – No not at all, everybody should be treated the same. That would send the wrong message. What I do feel is if someone recognizes you from TV they shouldn’t automatically assume you’re a criminal. Search your car and things of that nature. Have pregnant woman getting out of their cars and laying on the ground. I don’t think that’s right, but yeah everybody should be treated the same and equally under the law.

UrbanBridgez.com: I know what the next single is because of your mom, but do you want the fans to know what the next single is yet?
Ray J: (Laughs) – What did my mom say?

UrbanBridgez.com: “Melody”
Ray J: Yeah we’re pushing for “Melody.” The label at first wanted to go with “Quit Acting.” But I wanted to do something different, I’ve did those type of songs and the fans have seen that. So this time I wanted to showcase my talent. I needed to show me as a singer, something new for them to see.

UrbanBridgez.com: Any shout outs or comments you want to send out to the UBG Street and Online Teamers?
Ray J: UBG! Man I’m speechless. I mean out here I just got moms, me and the Knockout crew, so it’s like nine of us. But with y’all, we’re beating them. It’s more of us together. I mean and know I’m down for whatever, if it’s talking to fans on the phone, chatting with them online, or any other type of shit I need to do to show my fans I appreciate them, I’m down for it. The next step is seeing them face to face. And thanks man for just showing your support throughout the years to our whole family. “One Wish” is about to go down!

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s next for Ray J, any acting?
Ray J: “Raydiation” man, just getting it out and promoting. “One on One” I start the first show next week. We’re going to see what happens with that and the role may turn into a recurring role. I’m happy to be back at UPN. I also gotta show mad love to BET for everything they’ve done for me. They show me so much love. My show on BET has been the #1 and #2 show, next to 106 and Park. Thank you to the fans for supporting it and watching and just everything.

UB Anniversary ReVisit: Brandy Talks Discography, Whitney + Haters

UB Anniversary ReVisit: Sonja Norwood Talks ‘Business’ In Two-Part UB Interview