Ray J Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Ray J’s Net Worth: What Is It?

With a net worth of $14 million, Ray J is recognized as an actor, music producer, and rapper. Known as William Norwood, Jr., he kicked off his career in the early ’90s as an actor, featuring in commercials and landing a recurring role on “The Sinbad Show.” As the younger brother of multi-platinum singer Brandy, it was inevitable that he would transition into music eventually. Signing with Elektra Records, he released his debut album in 1995, which achieved moderate success before he was dropped from the label in 1997. Shifting his focus back to acting, Ray J spent three seasons on his sister’s show, “Moesha.” Subsequently, he released albums in 2001 and 2005 while also returning to acting with a role on “One on One” in 2005.

In 2007, Ray J became widely known, not primarily for his music or acting, but due to a sex tape featuring his then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian. This incident catapulted him into the public eye, making him a sought-after figure in the industry. Later that year, he signed with Shaquille O’Neal’s label and successfully released an album in 2008, followed by numerous appearances in reality shows that highlighted the Norwood family starting in 2009.

Early Life

Born William Ray Norwood, Jr. on January 17, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi, Ray J was brought up in California by his parents, Willie and Sonja Bates-Norwood. He is the younger sibling of multi-platinum artist Brandy and is also a cousin to rapper Snoop Dogg.

Acting Career

Ray J embarked on his acting journey in 1989 through various television commercials. He gained visibility as the foster son on “The Sinbad Show” from 1993 to 1994. Additionally, he starred alongside his sister Brandy on “Moesha” for two years and also appeared on “One on One.” His film credits include roles in “Mars Attacks!,” “Steel,” and “Envy.” In 2005, Norwood had a role in UPN’s “One-On-One.” He made a notable return to television in 2009 with the dating reality show “For the Love of Ray J” on VH1, which lasted two seasons and catalyzed a spin-off titled “Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business,” introduced in April 2010. Although he participated in the UK’s “Celebrity Big Brother,” he left the show after just one week. More recently, he appeared in “Good Looking Out” (2021), “VH1 Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition,” “Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked,” and “College Hill: Celebrity Edition” (2022).

Music Career

In 1995, Ray J joined Elektra Records and began working on his first album, “Everything You Want.” Released in March 1997, the lead single “Let It Go” was included in the film “Set It Off” soundtrack and reached #25 on the U.S. R&B chart, with the second single peaking at #54. However, Ray J was let go by the label in 1997. The following year, he featured with his original single “That’s Why I Lie” on the “Dr. Doolittle” soundtrack and composed tunes for Mattel, in addition to working on various commercials.

Collaborating with his sister Brandy on the track “Another Day in Paradise,” the song achieved top-ten success across several countries, including the UK, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Ray J’s second album, “This Ain’t a Game,” was released in June 2001, with the lead single “Wait a Minute” reaching #30 on the U.S. chart.

After a two-year hiatus, Ray J established his own record label, Knockout Entertainment, in 2004, which has released music for various artists.Such artists include Brandy, Shorty Mack, and Ray J himself. He collaborated with renowned producers and recording artists like R. Kelly, Timbaland, Lil Kim, and The Neptunes. In the course of this period, he finalized his third studio album, “Raydiation,” which saw its release in September 2005 and achieved a debut at #48 on the “Billboard” 200 chart. The lead single, “One Wish,” became a top 20 hit across the US, UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, with 400,000 copies sold domestically. On April 1, 2008, Ray J’s fourth album, “All I Feel,” was released, featuring The Game and Yung Berg on its first single, “Sexy Can I,” which peaked at #3 on the Top Singles Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks. R. Malcolm Jones directed the music video for the track, filmed in December 2007. In 2022, Ray J unveiled “Raydemption.”

Other Pursuits

Ray J founded Raytroniks, a line dedicated to consumer electronics, featuring products like e-bikes, smartphone-controlled fans, and smartwatches. For the Scoot E-Bike, he devised a comprehensive viral marketing strategy that included securing product placements through various celebrities, among them his cousin Snoop, Chris Brown, Sean Puffy Combs, Justin Bieber, and various sports teams like the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Rams. In November 2017, Ray J and Cowboy Wholesale completed a multi-million dollar deal to extend the Scoot E-Bike with products tailored to an electric-based lifestyle, including Bluetooth audio and drones. Ray plays an active role in this partnership, serving as the Chief Strategy Officer, and is responsible for marketing and global branding. Additionally, in November 2017, he co-founded the direct-to-consumer electronics brand, Raycon, where he oversees brand and strategy for the earbud and headphone company.

Kim Kardashian Sex Tape Royalties

A homemade sex tape featuring Ray J and Kim Kardashian, recorded in 2003, became public in February 2007. Steve Hirsch, President of Vivid Entertainment, stated that Ray J generally makes $90,000 every three months in royalties from his “home video” with Kim Kardashian, amounting to $360,000 annually, an impressive figure given the tape’s nearly two-decade age. Whenever Kim makes headlines—such as during her wedding or her nude appearance on the cover of “Paper Magazine”—Ray J’s royalties can surge to as much as $50,000 per week. Following a lawsuit, Kim received a one-time lump sum settlement of $5 million for her involvement in the tape back in 2007.

Ray J Marijuana Tycoon

In June of 2019, Ray J revealed that he had introduced his own marijuana brand, William Ray LA, having invested approximately $5 million of his personal finances into the venture. By August 2019, he disclosed his appointment as the chief strategic media officer at MarijuanaStock.org. According to documents obtained by TMZ, this role would secure Ray J an annual salary of $1 million!

Personal Life

During the final years of Whitney Houston’s life, Ray J shared a close bond with her. Even though rumors suggested a romantic involvement, Ray J has maintained that they were merely friends, never having dated. Following her passing on February 11, 2012, he was in San Diego but quickly made his way to the Beverly Hilton, the location of her death. Upon arrival, he allegedly became upset after overhearing a police officer make an insensitive remark about Houston. Attempts to enter the hotel were met with restraint. At the time of Houston’s demise, Ray’s sister, Brandy, noted that he was extremely distraught and depressed.

On May 21, 2012, Ray was discovered in his hotel room, unable to rise from bed, necessitating an ambulance trip to the hospital. The previous day, reports surfaced of a confrontation at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, where Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law, Pat Houston, had security called on Ray J after observing him seated beside Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown.

In August 2016, Ray wed fashion designer Princess Love in Los Angeles. They welcomed their first daughter in May 2018, followed by a son in January 2020. However, in May 2020, Love initiated divorce proceedings. By January 2023, Ray J announced via a birthday post that he had regained his “wife.”