For the past eight years, Ray J has kept himself busy. Actor, producer, and businessman, Ray J has starred on “The Sinbad Show” and alongside sister Brandy in “Moesha” ; has created tracks for Mattel and Candees; and is currently launching his own Knock Out Entertainment company. With talent and experience fueling each pursuit, Ray J now shows his strength as a singer on This Ain’t A Game, his major-label debut. The record, which features the single “Wait A Minute,” is packed with club anthems and twists of R&B; and with producers like The Neptunes and Rodney Jerkins behind the boards, the beats are addictively smooth. We managed to steal a minute from Ray J to talk about life and the record.
What unique quality do you feel you can offer the world of R&B? Having inevitably been exposed to much of the music world prior to your career because of the success of your sister, do you feel you know exactly what elements make a song and its singer better than the rest?
No one knows exactly how the consumer will feel your music. There isn’t a sure success formula that guarantees the success of a song. Each person is unique just by being an individual; however, I’m growing as an artist, exploring and experimenting as I go along. Hopefully what I sing, write or produce will relate to others, and they will appreciate my work.
How was it working with Lil’ Kim, The Neptunes, and Rodney Jerkins? How did you choose to work with them?
Lil’ Kim and I have been friends for a while. She was asked by the label to collaborate and agreed. The Neptunes and I had been kicking it two years prior to the production of “Wait A Minute.” They, like Rodney, knew me as person (my likes, dislikes, etc.), so it was easier for them to determine the type of songs for me.
Since you do all of the writing, arranging, and producing for some of the tracks, would you ever consider doing an album entirely on your own?
I don’t think I will ever do an entire album based on my skills alone. But never say never.
Since you’re so young, are you interested in anything beyond music in the future? Is performing the only concern right now?
I will eventually get back into acting. I’d like to produce as well as get into directing at some point in my career.
To celebrate the release of This Ain’t A Game, we’re giving away great Ray J items to randomly chosen readers. Three grand prize winners will receive an autographed Ray-J mini-basketball set and the “Wait A Minute” single, while three others will receive the single and an autographed poster. The single will go out to five runners-up as well. To enter, send us your name, address, and age. Winners will be notified via e-mail.
