UB Soul Friday: Celebrating Ray J’s 20th Anniversary of ‘One Wish’

This weeks “UB Soul Friday” spotlights a multifaceted entertainer, Ray J; who’s celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his monster hit “One Wish.”

The single was released 20 years ago today, on July 25th, 2005. Another thing about the single and album to follow “Raydiation,” is UBG was apart of the roll-out and promotion of the project.

“UB Soul Friday,” spotlighting artists, albums, singles and videos that left a mark in R&B and Soul music!

Ray J is the Southern California-bred, McComb, Mississippi native, who 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.”

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

In 2005 he was on album three with “Raydiation,” released via Sanctuary Urban Records Group and his own KnockOut Entertainment.

Ray J produced a musical slideshow of his journey from rebellious teenager carving out his space in the world, to a confident young man ready to take it on.

The result was an album that’s contemplative, sensual and fun – a spectacular expression of who Ray J is, where he’s been and where he’s continuing to go.

In 2003, Ray J and producer Detail headed to the Hit Factory in Miami to begin working on tracks for “Raydiation” before any deals were in place. Ray J put his energy into writing and recording while he contemplated his business moves.

About 80% of the album was written and produced by Ray J and his partner.

After exploring his label options, Ray J decided to make “Raydiation” a joint release between KnockOut Entertainment and Sanctuary Urban Records Group (SURG), headed by Mathew Knowles.

“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 the retail climate at that time.

Ray J shared with UB his excitement of the single when it was released; “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.”

This year UBG is celebrating our 20th Anniversary and “Raydiation” was the first music project we worked. With UB on board with the team, Ray J showed his appreciation to us; “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!”

Ray J‘s first two albums, 1996‘s “Everything You Want” and 2001‘s “This Ain’t A Game,” had introspective songs, but more emphasis was placed on the more bouncy, party tracks.

“I understand where I should be in the music game, and that’s to be one of the young R&B singers creating music that touches people,” Ray J stated. “If it’s not something people can learn from, grow from; it will be something they can relate to or feel good about.

One of the albums highlights, “Melody” a sublime ballad that pays homage to some of soul music’s masters and two of Ray J‘s influences Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder.

Ray J also named his daughter after the song.

“War Is Over,” a duet with his sister Brandy, sends out a powerful message of peace to the soldiers and their families. It also talks about the inner war within us and the war in the streets of America.

On “Raydiation,” Ray J embraced his talent as a vocalist like never before. “I really enjoy singing, and it shows on this album. I really wasn’t enjoying singing before, but now I’m in a zone where, whatever I experience, I can sing about it, and people can relate to it.”

Some other songs included the Timbaland penned “Shake That” and the provocative, strip club anthem “Sexy,” a collaboration with Mýa.

“Whatever I’m feeling on a certain day, that’s what I go into the studio and record,” Ray J said at the time. “Sometimes I just feel like having fun, so I record some tracks that represent that part of me. But when it comes down to just flooding the airwaves with only party songs, I don’t think that’s necessary. I think that you should be versatile.”

There was a period where he rebelled against the image that everyone expected him to be. “I was trying to be over the edge to show people who compare me and Brandy that we were different artists. I partied and had my fun while I was in that stage. But I also got caught up in the streets and hung out with the wrong people. I’m thankful I was able to get out of that mode alive.”

“I named this album Raydiation because I am putting out music that’s the essence of me with a lot of my energy and passion.”

Aries from UB spoke with Ray J about the process of recording “Raydiation” and the monster lead single “One Wish.”

Ray J also gets candid about his place in the industry and shows love to Lil Kim, UBG and more!.

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.

Check Out The 20th Anniversary Version of “One Wish” with Jacquees!