Ray J | Interview (2005)

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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. Pharell, R. Kelly, Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins. I didn't work with Pharell on this project but with "Wait A Minute."

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): What was it like working with R Kelly and Mya and how did those calabos come about?
Ray J: R Kelly came because I had this deal with Dreamworks before it folded and they set up a meeting with Kells. We met and just started kicking it. We would go to clubs, play basketball and be in the studio. When I was in the studio with him, I would just watch him and learn. It took us a whole month to record that one song "Quit Acting." Being that I didn't have a deal anymore, R. Kelly did it on love because I didn't have a budget, but I later paid him. With Mya, Detail met her in Hollywood. They became friends and one day he just brought her by the crib. I let her here this song "Sexy" she was vibing to it. So I was trying to convince her to jump on it, like telling her you would sound so sexy doing the song (laughs). So she decided to get on it and wrote her part and we recorded it.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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?

Aries (T M H/UBG): "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.

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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!

Aries (T M H/UBG): 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.