Ray J

Mississippi born (January 17, 1981) Willam Ray Norwood Jr. , known as Ray J, is an American actor, songwriter, record producer, singer and occasional rapper. He is the son of gospel singer Willie Norwood and the younger brother of R&B singer Brandy. He is also a cousin of rock and roll performer Bo Diddley and rapper Snoop Dogg.

In 1997 he released his debut album Everything You Want, recorded the year before, which spawned two singles. "Let It Go" was the lead single of the smash soundtrack for Set It Off (Brandy also appeared on the soundtrack with her song "Missing You" with Tamia, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight). 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 2001, Norwood recorded "Another Day In Paradise" with Brandy, which was a Top Ten success in Austria, UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands and number 11 in Australia and France. Norwood also worked with The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins and Lil' Kim, and several other top producers and singers for his second studio album This Ain't A Game, a Hip Hop-oriented record that featured more of his rapping than his debut album. The album was released in 2001, but despite a strong promotional push from new label Atlantic Records, it wasn't a breakthrough success.

In 2002 he appeared in the video for his sister's smash-hit "What About Us?"

After a two year break, Norwood returned to recording studiosto release on his third studio album Raydiation with help from producers such as Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland, and R. Kelly. A joint venture by Sanctuary Records and Ray-J's own label, independent Knockout Entertainment, the album was finally released on September 27, 2005 in North America after several delays, debuting at number forty-eight on the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2007, he was featured on the single "Beds" by B2K-rapper Lil' Fizz as well as ThaRealest's second single "Let's Get It in."

Norwood's upcoming fourth album All I Feel will feature guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Lil’ Wayne, and The Game, among others. The album's first single is "Sexy Can I" featuring rapper Yung Berg.