Ray J’s Ups and Downs By the Years: Arrests and Extra

Ray J’s life within the highlight has been something however predictable.

Ever since he launched his debut album All the pieces You Need in 1997, the singer has been making headlines for his private {and professional} life.

Whereas music was his first avenue into Hollywood, the “Attractive Can I” singer discovered an entire new degree of fame when he entered the world of actuality TV with reveals like For the Love of Ray J, Brandy and Ray J: A Household Enterprise and Love & Hip Hop.

“Once I’m in actual life, I’m simply hella calm, I’m cool,” Ray J advised BuzzFeed in 2014. “It’s all about enterprise. It’s all about being on time. It’s all about being skilled. It’s all about doing my job. After which the flip facet to that’s that I reside a turnt-up life and my job requires me to show all the best way up, and in order that’s what they’re gonna get, you recognize what I’m saying?”

That life has included many highs and lows which have usually been documented for public consumption. Have a look again at Ray J’s bumpy street within the highlight and what may very well be subsequent:

The Notorious Intercourse Tape 

A then-unknown Kim Kardashian started relationship Ray J in 2003 after assembly him whereas working as a closet designer for his well-known older sister Brandy. Throughout their 3-year relationship, the couple made a intercourse tape that was launched in 2007, the identical 12 months that Kim’s Protecting Up with the Kardashians premiered on E!. The footage would carry an entire new degree of fame to each events. “How completely different would all of us be?” Ray J requested on a June 2024 episode of the “Membership Shay Shay” podcast when envisioning a life with no intercourse tape. “How completely different would this complete f–king factor be? How completely different would this trade be? All the pieces can be completely different. There may not be any OnlyFans and all of the issues like that. All of the alternatives like that. In all probability extra folks can be going to school.”

Ray J’s Music Profession 

Though Ray J discovered success as a musical artist — maybe not as large as his sister — it was a profession he didn’t at all times see himself taking part in. “I by no means actually needed to do the music factor at first,” he mentioned on an April 2023 episode of The Blackprint. “On the time, I wasn’t prepared. I needed to hang around with my pals. I simply needed to be a younger child exploring the world. I don’t need to say I used to be pushed to do the music. But it surely was in my lap due to how the music trade was on the time and the way huge my sister was, and nonetheless is.”

With assist from legends corresponding to Pharrell Williams, Rodney Jerkins and the late LaShawn Daniels, Ray J started making music his approach. Whereas he discovered mainstream success with hits like “Attractive Can I,” “One Want” and “Wait a Minute,” Ray J made headlines when he launched the 2013 music “I Hit It First.” Within the opening verse, the artist sings: “I had her head going North and her ass going South, However now child selected to go West.” Whereas followers instantly speculated the music was about Kardashian, Ray J denied the claims saying the music is a few “idea” and mentioned folks had been going “approach too deep.”

Feuding With the Stars

Whether or not filming Love & Hip Hop for Vh1 or speaking about fellow artists, Ray J is rarely afraid to get into it with different Hollywood stars. In 2011, information broke that Ray J and Fabolous had gotten right into a fistfight in Las Vegas. They’ve since made peace, however not earlier than each events claimed they received the combat.

In 2023, Ray J additionally skilled a disagreement with Kodak Black the place he supplied to finish the feud by combating. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” he mentioned through social media.

Mourning the Dying of Whitney Houston 

After Whitney Houston was discovered useless in her Los Angeles lodge room in February 2012, Ray J spoke out about his on-again, off-again girlfriend. “I’ve tried to course of the vacancy that I’m experiencing. What my coronary heart feels can’t be expressed in phrases,” he advised Us Weekly the month of her loss of life. “The world misplaced an icon, however I misplaced my shut buddy. Nippy, I miss you a lot! You had been so completely satisfied and full of affection. Your smile will reside in my coronary heart endlessly.”

Ray J and Princess Love’s Marriage

In 2016, Ray J and Princess Love appeared stronger than ever once they acquired married in a lavish ceremony. Though they created a wonderful household with children Melody, 6, and Epik, 4, the couple struggled to keep up a wholesome relationship. Though the pair filed for divorce and briefly reconciled a number of instances, their newest break up in February 2024 appeared far more ultimate. “Ray J and Princess have had an on and off relationship for a very long time. And regardless that they’ve damaged up previously, this time feels very completely different,” a supply advised Us Weekly in April 2024. “They’re each strolling away figuring out for positive that they honestly made an effort at saving their marriage.”

Ray J and Brandy’s Sibling Bond

Whereas rising up within the highlight, Ray J would usually make it clear that he and his sister had an unbreakable bond. However in a June 2024 interview, the “One Want” artist seemingly confirmed their relationship has grow to be extra distant. “Brandy’s targets for the reason that starting have been completely completely different from [mine],” he mentioned on the “Membership Shay Shay” podcast. “As a lot as you recognize that we’re all collectively, some issues I gotta, like, attempt to like keep over right here. Currently even sure occasions I feel they been having … I haven’t acquired the invite and I’m good with that. However I perceive why. It’s simply loads of the s–t I’m doing now could be just a bit extra left subject, a bit extra outrageous, a bit louder. Just a little extra dramatic. A tad bit distasteful at instances.”

Psychological Well being Struggles 

In June 2024, Ray J was reportedly concerned in a bodily altercation with Zeus Community CEO Lemuel Plummer outdoors of rapper GloRilla’s BET Awards afterparty. The incident appeared to take a toll on the singer, who confessed to followers that he was at a “breakin level.”

“To offer for my household and have generational wealth was at all times the plan. However cash is evil and persons are dangerous and I can’t take it anymore!” he wrote through his Instagram Tales in July 2024. “This s–t that’s occurring is thoughts blowing. It’s making me suicidal and uncomfortable with the notion of actuality.”

Thanksgiving Day Arrest

The singer was arrested on November 27, 2025, after his ex-wife alleged he pulled a gun on her throughout a dispute. Ray J reportedly went reside on Instagram early Thursday morning, per TMZ, to inform his followers he was having “the worst Thanksgiving within the f***ing world.”

His Mother Involves His Protection

On the identical Thanksgiving Day, Ray J’s mom handled a social media commenter who known as out her son’s alleged habits.

“I hope every of you had a grateful Thanksgiving. The day began a bit tough, however we had household Thanksgiving. Love ya’ll, we’re again on the street tomorrow,” the singers’ mother, Sonja B. Norwood, wrote through Fb on November 27. “Detroit! See you quickly!”

“You raised a horrible son,” one particular person wrote within the feedback part, referring to Ray J, actual title William Ray Norwood, Jr. “Joyful Holidays!”

“Sorry, however I don’t suppose so,” Sonja wrote again.

“You suppose pulling weapons and tossing ladies in swimming pools is an effective illustration of the person you raised,” the commenter responded. “Effectively, I hope I do higher by mine.”

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