William Ray Norwood Jr. born January 17, 1981, known by his stage name Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, television personality and actor. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, he is the brother of recording artist and actress Brandy Norwood and the first cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg. In January 2017 he competed in the nineteenth season of the UK reality television programme Celebrity Big Brother.

He signed to Elektra Records in 1995 and he began to record his 15-track debut album Everything You Want the same year. "Let It Go" appeared on the Set It Off soundtrack. 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 1997, he was dropped from the label. In 1998, he appeared on the Doctor Dolittle soundtrack with the single "That's Why I Lie". He produced for toy company Mattel, putting together the music for several commercials and a few of the demos for his second record.