Willie Norwood

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Willie Norwood
Birth nameWillie Ray Norwood
Born (1955-11-30) November 30, 1955 (age 68)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Origin Greenwood, Mississippi, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer, vocal assistance, choir
Years active1975–present
Labels

William Ray Norwood Sr. (born November 30, 1955) is an American gospel singer. He is the father and voice coach of R&B singers Brandy and Ray J.

Contents

Career

1975–1992: Early career

Willie Norwood's career in the music industry began at Jackson State University on a band scholarship during the 1970s where he joined a soul music group named The Composers, becoming their lead vocalist and trumpeter.[ citation needed ] The group found a modicum of success playing the Mississippi club scene and began opening up for acts such as Rufus and Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls.[ citation needed ] Norwood soon moved to Hollywood with the group where they attracted a loyal following.[ citation needed ]

The fast-paced Hollywood scene caused Norwood to stray from his religious upbringing, causing him and his wife, Sonja Bates-Norwood, to move back to McComb, Mississippi, in the late 1970s to begin a family as well as to regain focus. He began working with local community choirs in Los Angeles while beginning post-graduate work at California State University. Norwood's work with the choirs afforded a young Brandy and Ray J the opportunity to enhance their blooming musical interest. [1] [2] [3]

2001–2004: Commercial debut

After putting together Brandy's Never-Say-Never World Tour, his first commercial album, Bout It was released in late 2001 under Atlantic Records, receiving a Dove Award nomination, and peaking at Number 13 on the Billboard Gospel Chart. Brandy was featured on the album, and such artists as Kirk Whalum, Billy Preston, The William Brothers, Ray J and Angie Winans.

Brandy and Ray J appeared as background vocals on Bout It. Whalum played saxophone and Preston sang on "I’ll Trade A Lifetime" and "Bout It". The Williams Brothers, who wrote and produced the title track and "The Search Is Over," also provided background vocals. "A Love Shared" was written by Angie Winans.

Norwood started working with Ray J and Brandy in the studio for their upcoming albums. He split with Atlantic Records in 2002.

2005–2007: New label and I Believe album

Norwood's second album I Believe was released on May 22, 2006, under new label Knockout Entertainment. It is a definitive and eclectic blend of a cappella Southern gospel songs. Norwood set up the KnockOut Vocal Studio in North Hollywood, CA and brought his Southern charm to a 12-song a cappella gospel interpretation of "old church" songs. After the release has he focused on the work as director to the group UCC, a 94-voice youth choir in South Central L.A. and minister of music at the Woodland Hills Church of Christ. [4]

2010-2011 Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business

Along with wife Sonia, Norwood appeared in Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business . The series follows his children as they overcome the daily struggles in their family business and follows their daily lives. [5]

A compilation album, A Family Business , was released on June 19, 2011, to accompany the series. The album features previously unreleased content from Norwood, Sonja, Brandy and Ray J, as well as contribution from Brandy's daughter Sy'rai, her half-sister Rain Smith, and fellow singers such as Tasha Scott. [6] Production on the compilation was handled by several producers, including Big Bert, Clinton Sparks, and The Jam. Upon release, critics such as The Washington Post declared it an "awkward and adorable and really, really wholesome collection."

2013: Christmas EP

On November 19, 2013, Norwood released a three-track EP titled Merry Christmas. It featured a duet with Ray J, "Noel". [7]

2020: B7

Norwood is credited as vocal coach on his daughter's seventh studio album, B7 . [8]

Personal life

Norwood, a member of Omega Psi Phi (1968 YE - Jackson State University), married Sonja Bates and had two children: Brandy Rayana on February 11, 1979, and Willie Ray, known as Ray J, on January 17, 1981. Norwood raised his children in a Christian home. His daughter started singing through his work as part of the local church choir, performing her first gospel solo at the age of two. [9] Willie has 3 older children from previous relationships.

Norwood became a grandfather to Brandy's only child on June 16, 2002, when Brandy gave birth to a daughter, Sy'rai Iman Smith. [10] [11] Norwood's son had two children with wife Princess Love: a daughter, Melody Love, born on May 22, 2018, [12] [13] and a son, Epik Ray, born on January 7, 2020. [14]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandy Norwood</span> American singer (born 1979)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray J</span> American singer, songwriter, rapper, television personality, actor, and entrepreneur (born 1981)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandy discography</span>

American singer Brandy Norwood entered the music business as a backing vocalist for R&B boy bands such as Immature, prior to launching her own career in 1994. Her discography, as a solo artist, includes eight studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play, 42 singles, 46 album appearances and 26 soundtrack appearances. Norwood has sold over 8.6 million albums in the United States, and more than 40 million records worldwide. Additionally, she has won over 100 awards as a recording artist. In 1999, Billboard ranked Norwood among the top 20 of the Top Pop Artists of the 1990s.

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<i>A Family Business</i> 2011 soundtrack album by Various artists

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<i>Bout It</i> 2001 studio album by Willie Norwood

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<i>Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business</i> American TV series or program

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Again (Brandy and Daniel Caesar song)</span> 2019 song by Brandy & Daniel Caesar

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Mama (Brandy song)</span> 2020 song by Brandy featuring Chance the Rapper

"Baby Mama" is a song recorded by American singer Brandy, featuring rapper Chance the Rapper. It was written by Norwood, Chance, Akil King, and Kimberly "Kaydence" Krysiuk for her seventh studio album B7 (2020), while production was helmed by Hit Boy and Norwood along with LaShawn Daniels. Built upon a bass-heavy, horn-led beat and a joyful melody, the R&B track is a Mother's Day anthem that pays homage to single mothers, while also celebrating Norwood's love for daughter Sy'rai.

<i>B7</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Brandy

B7 is the seventh studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on July 31, 2020, through her own label Brand Nu, Inc. and eOne Music. Her first studio album since Two Eleven (2012), the album features production from Darhyl Camper, Jr. and LaShawn Daniels, among others. B7 is an R&B album exploring themes such as self-love, tumultuous romantic relationships, mental health and single motherhood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Tomorrow, Pt. 2</span> 2020 single by Brandy featuring Ty Dolla Sign

"No Tomorrow, Pt. 2" is a song by American singer Brandy Norwood, featuring fellow American singer Ty Dolla Sign. It is a remix of the song "No Tomorrow" taken from Norwood's seventh studio album, B7 (2020). "No Tomorrow" is a minimalist mid-tempo track with instrumentation from synthesizers, a piano, bass kicks, and finger snaps. It was written by Norwood and Joshua "YXSH" Thomas, while production was handled by Norwood, Thomas and Cory Rooney, with co-production by Darhyl "DJ" Camper.

References

  1. ↑ Moss, Corey (September 26, 2006). "Snoop Reunites With Dre". MTV News . Retrieved October 10, 2006.
  2. ↑ Banks, $asha [@SashaBanksWWE] (November 5, 2014). "@Stankology yes" (Tweet). Retrieved July 18, 2017– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ DILLINGER, DAZ (April 5, 2016). "CUZZNZ @4everbrandy @rayj @sashabankswwe @snoopdogg ITS SUPERSTARS IN OUR FAMILY 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Willie Norwood I Believe". May 22, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  5. ↑ "VH1 to debut new 'Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business' on April 11" . Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  6. ↑ Weiss, Mitchell (April 16, 2011). "Review: Brandy & Ray J — A Family Business". SceneInTown.com. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Merry Christmas". November 19, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  8. ↑ Norwood, Brandy. B7. [Album Liner Notes]. Brand Nu, Inc. / eOne. Catalog SPV 783812.
  9. ↑ Hoadri Coker, Cheo (July 1, 2004). Not That Innocent . Retrieved June 28, 2010.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ Silverman, Stephen M. (June 19, 2002). "Brandy Has A Baby Girl". People. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Brandy And Her Husband On The Outs?". Yahoo! Music. LAUNCH Radio Networks. June 27, 2003. Archived from the original on January 18, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
  12. ↑ Spain, Jamie (May 22, 2018). "She's Here! Ray J and Princess Welcome Their First Child". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  13. ↑ Osmanski, Steph (May 24, 2018). "Ray J and Princess Love's Baby Was Born! See the Precious Announcement". In Touch Weekly. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ Harmata, Claudia (January 8, 2020). "Ray J Shares First Photos of Son Epik Ray Norwood: 'God is Truly Amazing'". People. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
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