Ray J. Paras Griffin/Getty Pictures for BET
Ray J’s life within the highlight has been something however predictable.
Ever since he launched his debut album All the pieces You Need in 1997, the singer has been making headlines for his private {and professional} life.
Whereas music was his first avenue into Hollywood, the “Horny Can I” singer discovered a complete new degree of fame when he entered the world of actuality TV with reveals like For the Love of Ray J, Brandy and Ray J: A Household Enterprise and Love & Hip Hop.
“After I’m in actual life, I’m simply hella calm, I’m cool,” Ray J informed BuzzFeed in 2014. “It’s all about enterprise. It’s all about being on time. It’s all about being skilled. It’s all about doing my job. After which the flip aspect to that’s that I dwell a turnt-up life and my job requires me to show all the way in which up, and in order that’s what they’re gonna get, what I’m saying?”
He mentioned, she mentioned. Kim Kardashian and Ray J’s previous relationship continues to be making headlines practically 20 years later, due to the singer’s former supervisor. Throughout an look on the the “Bootleg Kev” podcast in September 2021, Wack 100 claimed that he was in possession of “half two” of the notorious intercourse tape that the […]
That life has included many highs and lows which have typically been documented for public consumption. Have a look again at Ray J’s bumpy highway within the highlight and what may very well be subsequent:
The Notorious Intercourse Tape
Ray J and Kim Kardashian. John Shearer/WireImage
A then-unknown Kim Kardashian started relationship Ray J in 2003 after assembly him whereas working as a closet designer for his well-known older sister Brandy. Throughout their 3-year relationship, the couple made a intercourse tape that was launched in 2007, the identical 12 months that Kim’s Preserving Up with the Kardashians premiered on E!. The footage would deliver a complete new degree of fame to each events. “How completely different would all of us be?” Ray J requested on a June 2024 episode of the “Membership Shay Shay” podcast when envisioning a life with no intercourse tape. “How completely different would this complete f–king factor be? How completely different would this trade be? All the pieces can be completely different. There may not be any OnlyFans and all of the issues like that. All of the alternatives like that. Most likely extra folks can be going to varsity.”
A star-studded love life. Kim Kardashian‘s private life has been within the highlight for many years, irrespective of who she’s dated or married. Since 2000, Kardashian has been married thrice. At solely 19, she married producer Damon Thomas, who was 10 years older than her. The wedding lasted three years till she referred to as it quits […]
Ray J’s Music Profession
Though Ray J discovered success as a musical artist — maybe not as enormous as his sister — it was a profession he didn’t all the time see himself taking part in. “I by no means actually wished to do the music factor to start with,” he mentioned on an April 2023 episode of The Blackprint. “On the time, I wasn’t prepared. I wished to hang around with my buddies. I simply wished to be a younger child exploring the world. I don’t need to say I used to be pushed to do the music. However it was in my lap due to how the music trade was on the time and the way huge my sister was, and nonetheless is.”
Ray J. Paras Griffin/Getty Pictures for BET
With assist from legends comparable to Pharrell Williams, Rodney Jerkins and the late LaShawn Daniels, Ray J started making music his manner. Whereas he discovered mainstream success with hits like “Horny Can I,” “One Want” and “Wait a Minute,” Ray J made headlines when he launched the 2013 music “I Hit It First.” Within the opening verse, the artist sings: “I had her head going North and her ass going South, However now child selected to go West.” Whereas followers instantly speculated the music was about Kardashian, Ray J denied the claims saying the music is a few “idea” and mentioned folks had been going “manner too deep.”
Feuding With the Stars
Whether or not filming Love & Hip Hop for Vh1 or speaking about fellow artists, Ray J is rarely afraid to get into it with different Hollywood stars. In 2011, information broke that Ray J and Fabolous had gotten right into a fistfight in Las Vegas. They’ve since made peace, however not earlier than each events claimed they received the battle.
In 2023, Ray J additionally skilled a disagreement with Kodak Black the place he provided to finish the feud by combating. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” he mentioned through social media.
Mourning the Demise of Whitney Houston
After Whitney Houston was discovered lifeless in her Los Angeles lodge room in February 2012, Ray J spoke out about his on-again, off-again girlfriend. “I’ve tried to course of the vacancy that I’m experiencing. What my coronary heart feels can’t be expressed in phrases,” he informed Us Weekly the month of her demise. “The world misplaced an icon, however I misplaced my shut good friend. Nippy, I miss you a lot! You had been so pleased and full of affection. Your smile will dwell in my coronary heart eternally.”
Ray J and Princess Love’s Marriage
Ray J and Princess Love. MICHAEL TRAN/AFP through Getty Pictures
In 2016, Ray J and Princess Love appeared stronger than ever once they received married in a lavish ceremony. Though they created a lovely household with youngsters Melody, 6, and Epik, 4, the couple struggled to keep up a wholesome relationship. Though the pair filed for divorce and briefly reconciled a number of occasions, their newest cut up in February 2024 appeared rather more last. “Ray J and Princess have had an on and off relationship for a very long time. And although they’ve damaged up prior to now, this time feels very completely different,” a supply informed Us Weekly in April 2024. “They’re each strolling away realizing for certain that they really made an effort at saving their marriage.”
Ray J and Brandy’s Sibling Bond
Ray J and Brandy. Kevin Mazur/Getty Pictures for Sean “Diddy” Combs
Whereas rising up within the highlight, Ray J would typically make it clear that he and his sister had an unbreakable bond. However in a June 2024 interview, the “One Want” artist seemingly confirmed their relationship has turn into extra distant. “Brandy’s objectives for the reason that starting have been completely completely different from [mine],” he mentioned on the “Membership Shay Shay” podcast. “As a lot as that we’re all collectively, some issues I gotta, like, attempt to like keep over right here. Currently even sure occasions I feel they been having … I haven’t received the invite and I’m good with that. However I perceive why. It’s simply plenty of the s–t I’m doing now could be just a bit extra left discipline, a little bit extra outrageous, a little bit louder. A bit extra dramatic. A tad bit distasteful at occasions.”
Psychological Well being Struggles
In June 2024, Ray J was reportedly concerned in a bodily altercation with Zeus Community CEO Lemuel Plummer exterior of rapper GloRilla’s BET Awards afterparty. The incident appeared to take a toll on the singer, who confessed to followers that he was at a “breakin level.”
“To supply for my household and have generational wealth was all the time the plan. However cash is evil and individuals are dangerous and I can’t take it anymore!” he wrote through his Instagram Tales in July 2024. “This s–t that’s taking place is thoughts blowing. It’s making me suicidal and uncomfortable with the notion of actuality.”
Thanksgiving Day Arrest
The singer was arrested on November 27, 2025, after his ex-wife alleged he pulled a gun on her throughout a dispute. Ray J reportedly went dwell on Instagram early Thursday morning, per TMZ, to inform his followers he was having “the worst Thanksgiving within the f***ing world.”
His Mother Involves His Protection
On the identical Thanksgiving Day, Ray J’s mom handled a social media commenter who referred to as out her son’s alleged conduct.
“I hope every of you had a grateful Thanksgiving. The day began a little bit tough, however we had a very good household Thanksgiving. Love ya’ll, we’re again on the highway tomorrow,” the singers’ mother, Sonja B. Norwood, wrote through Fb on November 27. “Detroit! See you quickly!”
“You raised a horrible son,” one particular person wrote within the feedback part, referring to Ray J, actual identify William Ray Norwood, Jr. “Blissful Holidays!”
“Sorry, however I don’t assume so,” Sonja wrote again.
“You assume pulling weapons and tossing girls in swimming pools is an efficient illustration of the person you raised,” the commenter responded. “Properly, I hope I do higher by mine.”
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