Ray J Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Ray J’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $14 million, Ray J, an actor, music producer, and rapper, has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Known as William Norwood, Jr., he kickstarted his career as an actor in the early ’90s, featuring in commercials and then securing a recurring role on “The Sinbad Show.” Being the younger brother of renowned singer Brandy, it was inevitable that he would explore music. In 1995, he signed with Elektra Records and launched his debut album, which had moderate success, but he was dropped by the label two years later in 1997. Shifting back to acting, he played a role in his sister’s show, “Moesha,” for three seasons before returning to music with releases in 2001 and 2005. He also re-entered the acting scene in 2005 with a stint on “One on One.”

In 2007, Ray J became widely known for reasons other than his music and acting. His sex tape with then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian brought him significant fame, transforming him into a sought-after figure. After signing with Shaquille O’Neal’s label in 2007, he released a successful album in 2008. The following year, he began his journey on reality TV, appearing in numerous shows featuring the Norwood family.

Early Life

Born on January 17, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi, Ray J, whose full name is William Ray Norwood, Jr., was brought up in California by his parents, Willie and Sonja Bates-Norwood. He is Brandy’s younger brother and the cousin of famous rapper Snoop Dogg.

Acting Career

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

Music Career

Ray J began his music venture in 1995 after signing with Elektra Records and working on his debut album “Everything You Want,” released in March 1997. This album featured the lead single “Let It Go” (not the one you might be thinking of), which was part of the “Set It Off” soundtrack and climbed to #25 on the U.S. R&B chart. His second single reached #54 before he was dropped from the label in 1997. The following year, he contributed to the “Dr. Doolittle” soundtrack with his original track “That’s Why I Lie” and also produced music for Mattel and various commercials.

A collaboration with his sister Brandy on “Another Day in Paradise” achieved top ten success across numerous countries, including the UK, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, and the Netherlands. In June 2001, Ray J 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, Ray J established his recording label, Knockout Entertainment, in 2004, which has produced music for several artists.Ray J has collaborated with renowned producers and artists, including R. Kelly, Timbaland, Lil Kim, Brandy, Shorty Mack, and himself, Ray J. At this time, he also completed his third studio album, “Raydiation,” which made its debut at #48 on the “Billboard” 200 chart after being released in September 2005. The album’s lead single, “One Wish,” achieved top 20 status in the US, UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, selling 400,000 copies domestically. Ray J’s fourth album, “All I Feel,” was released on April 1, 2008, featuring The Game and Yung Berg on its first single, “Sexy Can I,” which excelled by reaching #3 on the Top Singles Hot 100 for six weeks. Directed by R. Malcolm Jones, the music video for this single was filmed in December 2007. Additionally, Ray J launched “Raydemption” in 2022.

Other Pursuits

As the founder of Raytroniks, Ray J has established a line of consumer electronics that includes e-bikes, smartphone-controlled fans, and smartwatches. To promote the Scoot E-Bike, Ray developed an extensive viral marketing campaign featuring secured product placements involving various celebrities like his cousin Snoop, Chris Brown, Sean Puffy Combs, and Justin Bieber, along with support from sports teams like the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Rams. In November 2017, a multi-million dollar deal was finalized between Ray J and Cowboy Wholesale to enhance the Scoot E-Bike with products that align with an electric-based lifestyle, including Bluetooth audio and drones. As the Chief Strategy Officer, Ray actively participates in the partnership, managing marketing and global branding efforts. Additionally, in November 2017, he co-founded Raycon, a direct-to-consumer electronics brand where he oversees the brand and strategy for the earbud and headphone line.

Kim Kardashian Sex Tape Royalties

In February 2007, a homemade sex tape featuring Ray J and Kim Kardashian, which was filmed in 2003, became public. Steve Hirsch, the President of Vivid Entertainment, stated that Ray J typically earns $90,000 every three months in royalties from this “home video,” totaling $360,000 annually—an impressive amount given the tape is nearly two decades old. Whenever Kim appears in the news, be it regarding her wedding or her nude feature on the cover of “Paper Magazine,” Ray J’s royalties have reportedly surged to as much as $50,000 per week. After filing a lawsuit, Kim received a one-time $5 million lump sum settlement for her involvement in the tape back in 2007.

Ray J Marijuana Tycoon

In June 2019, Ray J revealed the launch of his own marijuana brand, William Ray LA, which he claimed to have funded with $5 million of his personal savings. By August 2019, he declared that he had embarked on a role as the chief strategic media officer for MarijuanaStock.org. Paperwork obtained by TMZ reported that this position would earn him a salary of $1 million annually!

Personal Life

During the last years of Whitney Houston’s life, Ray J maintained a very close friendship with her. Despite rumors suggesting a romantic involvement, Ray J has consistently maintained that they were merely friends and never dated. Upon her passing on February 11, 2012, he was in San Diego and quickly made his way to the Beverly Hilton, where she had died. Reports indicate that he became upset after hearing a police officer at the scene make an inappropriate remark about Houston. In a bid to enter the hotel forcefully, Ray J had to be restrained. His sister, Brandy, noted that Ray J was extremely distraught and depressed during the time of Houston’s death.

On May 21, 2012, he was discovered in his hotel room, unable to rise from bed, and was subsequently transported to the hospital via ambulance. Reports surfaced that he had an altercation at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards the previous day, when Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law, summoned security upon noticing him sitting alongside Whitney’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown.

In August 2016, Ray wed fashion designer Princess Love in Los Angeles. Their first child, a daughter, was born in May 2018, followed by the birth of their son in January 2020. However, in May 2020, Love initiated divorce proceedings. By January 2023, Ray J expressed in a birthday post that he had reconciled with his “wife.”