Ray J Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Ray J’s Net Worth?

The net worth of Ray J, an actor, music producer, and rapper, stands at $14 million. Also referred to as William Norwood, Jr., he began his career in performance as an actor, initially appearing in commercials before landing a recurring role on “The Sinbad Show” during the early ’90s. Being the younger brother of renowned singer Brandy, it was inevitable that he would eventually channel some of his talents into music. He signed with Elektra Records and released his debut album in 1995, which enjoyed moderate success; however, he was dropped by the label in 1997. Subsequently, he returned to acting, portraying a role on his sister’s show, “Moesha,” for three seasons. In 2001 and 2005, he released new albums and resumed acting in 2005 with a role in “One on One.”

In 2007, Ray J found himself in the spotlight—but not due to his music or acting prowess. Instead, it was the notorious sex tape featuring him and his then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian that catapulted him to fame. This incident and the ensuing media frenzy made him a highly sought-after figure. In the same year, he signed with Shaquille O’Neal’s label and launched a successful album in 2008. The following year marked the beginning of his appearances in numerous reality shows showcasing the Norwood family.

Early Life

On January 17, 1981, Ray J was born William Ray Norwood, Jr. in McComb, Mississippi. He grew up in California under the care of his parents, Willie and Sonja Bates-Norwood. Ray J has the distinction of being the younger brother of multi-platinum singer Brandy and is also the cousin of well-known rapper Snoop Dogg.

Acting Career

Beginning his acting career in 1989, Ray J made appearances in various television commercials. He secured the role of the foster son in “The Sinbad Show” from 1993 to 1994. Additionally, he had a significant role in his sister Brandy’s show, “Moesha,” for two years, along with appearances in “One on One.” His film credits include works such as “Mars Attacks!,” “Steel,” and “Envy.” In 2005, he featured in UPN’s “One-On-One” and returned to television in 2009 with “For the Love of Ray J,” a VH1 reality dating series that aired for two seasons and led to a spin-off titled “Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business,” launching in April 2010. Although he was part of the UK “Celebrity Big Brother,” he walked off the set after just one week. More recently, he appeared in 2021’s “Good Looking Out,” “VH1 Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition,” and “Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked,” as well as “College Hill: Celebrity Edition” in 2022.

Music Career

Ray J signed with Elektra Records in 1995 to record his debut album, “Everything You Want.” Released in March 1997, the album featured the lead single “Let It Go” (not to be confused with the famous Disney song!). This single, which also made it onto the soundtrack for “Set It Off,” peaked at #25 on the U.S. R&B chart, while his second single reached #54. However, he was released from the label in 1997. The subsequent year, he contributed to the “Dr. Doolittle” soundtrack with his original single “That’s Why I Lie” and produced music for Mattel, in addition to creating commercial soundtracks.

Ray J collaborated with his sister Brandy on “Another Day in Paradise,” which became a top ten hit in various countries, including the UK, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, and the Netherlands. In June 2001, he released his second album, “This Ain’t a Game,” with the lead single, “Wait a Minute,” peaking at #30 on the U.S. chart.

Following a two-year hiatus, in 2004, Ray J established his own record label, Knockout Entertainment, which has released music for various artists.Ray J has collaborated with numerous renowned producers and artists, including Brandy, Shorty Mack, and himself. He has also partnered with other prominent figures in the music industry, such as R. Kelly, Timbaland, Lil Kim, and The Neptunes. During this period, he completed his third studio album, “Raydiation,” released in September 2005, which achieved a debut at #48 on the “Billboard” 200 chart. The album’s lead single, “One Wish,” became a top 20 hit across the US, UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, with domestic sales reaching 400,000 copies. Following this, Ray J launched his fourth album, “All I Feel,” featuring The Game and Yung Berg on the first single, “Sexy Can I,” on April 1, 2008. This single reached #3 on the Top Singles Hot 100, remaining there for six weeks. A music video for the hit was directed by R. Malcolm Jones, filmed in December 2007. In 2022, Ray J released “Raydemption.”

Other Pursuits

As the founder of Raytroniks, Ray J has created a line of consumer electronics that includes e-bikes, smartphone-controlled fans, and smartwatches. His promotional strategy for the Scoot E-Bike involved an extensive viral marketing campaign secured by product placements featuring various celebrities, including his cousin Snoop, Chris Brown, Sean Puffy Combs, Justin Bieber, and support from sports teams such as the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Rams. In November 2017, Ray J entered into a multi-million dollar agreement with Cowboy Wholesale to broaden the Scoot E-Bike’s product range to include items that complement an electric-based lifestyle, including Bluetooth audio and drones. Taking on an active role in this partnership, he serves as the Chief Strategy Officer, responsible for overseeing marketing and global branding. Additionally, in November 2017, he co-founded the direct-to-consumer electronics brand Raycon, where he manages brand strategy for the earbud and headphone business.

Kim Kardashian Sex Tape Royalties

A homemade sex tape featuring Ray J and Kim Kardashian, filmed in 2003, was made public in February 2007. As stated by Steve Hirsch, the President of Vivid Entertainment, Ray J generally earns $90,000 in royalties every three months from this “home video” with Kim Kardashian, totaling $360,000 annually, which is impressive 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,” it has been reported that Ray J’s royalties can surge to as much as $50,000 per week. In 2007, following a legal dispute, Kim received a one-time settlement of $5 million for her involvement in the tape.

Ray J Marijuana Tycoon

Ray J revealed in June 2019 his launch of a marijuana line called William Ray LA, having reportedly invested $5 million of his own funds into the venture. By August 2019, he had also announced his role as chief strategic media officer for MarijuanaStock.org, a position that, as per documents obtained by TMZ, entails a salary of $1 million annually!

Personal Life

During the final years of Whitney Houston’s life, Ray J maintained a very close friendship with her. While there were rumors of a romantic relationship, he has consistently stated they were simply friends and had never dated. Following her passing on February 11, 2012, he was in San Diego but rushed to the Beverly Hilton, where she had died. Upon arriving, he reportedly became upset after overhearing a police officer make a disrespectful remark about Houston, leading to an attempt to force his way into the hotel. At that time, Ray’s sister, Brandy, described him as being deeply distraught and depressed.

On May 21, 2012, Ray was discovered in his hotel room unable to get out of bed and was subsequently taken to the hospital by ambulance. The day prior, reports indicated that he encountered trouble at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards when Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law, Pat Houston, called security after noticing him seated next to Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney’s daughter.

In August 2016, Ray wed fashion designer Princess Love in Los Angeles. Their first daughter was born in May 2018, followed by a son in January 2020. However, in May 2020, Love initiated divorce proceedings. In January 2023, Ray J expressed joy in a birthday post, stating he had gotten his “wife back.”