Nicole Wray

In 2004, Wray release a single, If I Was Your Girlfriend. In 2006, Wray appeared in the underground film, State Property 2. In 2009, Wrays sophomore album "Ms. America" is to released in 2010.

Career

In 1997, Nicole appeared on Elliotts debut album, Supa Dupa Fly. After appearing on the track Gettaway, Nicole worked with producers including Missy Elliott, Brian Alexander Morgan, and Timbaland on her first album. During the summer of 1998, Nicole released her first album, Make It Hot. The albums first single was Make It Hot, received excellent airplay. The albums second single I Cant See did not receive the success as the first single. In 1999, Nicole released the third single, Eyes Better Not Wander. Later that year, Wray appeared on Missy Elliotts second album Da Real World, on her second single, All N My Grill. Soon after, Wray announced that she would be getting back into the studio to work on her sophomore album. In 2000, Nicole finished working her album entitled Elektric Blue, although its release date was pushed to 2001. A promotion single called Bangin was released to build a buzz for the album. In 2001, Nicole released the first single from the album, Im Lookin. In late 2001, Elektric Blue was cancelled due to label problems. Shortly after the albums cancellation, Wray and Elliott ended their business relationship, however they both confirmed that the deal ended on good terms. In 2002, Pam and Dodi re-recorded Dont Have To, from Elektric Blue, and release the song as the lead single of their self-titled album.

Without Missys Guidance

In 2003, Nicole signed to Roc-A-Fella Records. Later that year, Wray teamed up with Dirt McGirt to release the single Welcome Home. In 2004, Wray was placed with the Dame Dash Music Group label to begin working on another album. In November 2004, Wray released her single, If I Was Your Girlfriend. The single built a buzz for the upcoming release of the album titled Lovechild. In late 2004, Wray released another single, Regrets, whiched featured Jay-Z. The album was scheduled to be released in February, but was pushed back to April. Due a feuding between Dame and Jay-Z, all Roc-A-Fella artists were moved to Def Jam and the album was never released.

In 2006, Camron and Nicole release a single entitled Do Your Thing, which received excellent airplay. Later that year, Wray made an appearance on Camrons album Killa Season, in a track called Love My Life which featured Nicole Wray. The song later became a single but failed to build a buzz. Soon after, Nicole announced that she signed to a new record company, Family Over Everything/A.Fam Entertainment and the upcoming of another album. In 2007, Wray released her mixtape InDepenDance Day. The mixtape also annouced her upcoming album. In late 2007, Wray left Family Over Everything/A.Fam Entertainment.

New Solo Projects

Between the time of December and January, Nicole was signed to Boss Up and Greenlight Records, but had quickly left the label. On January 3, 2008, Wray released a buzz single Stand Up, which received excellent airplay and built a buzz for her upcoming album, Ms. America. In June 2009, the lead single "I Like It". "Ms. America" was pushed back and is set to be released sometime in 2010.

LADY

In 2012, Nicole teamed up with fellow soulstress Terri Walker to form retro-soul duo Lady. They were signed to Truth and Soul Records and their self-titled debut album was released on March 5, 2013.

Music and Voice

Wray has cited various artists who influenced her music. She grew up listening to songs of Mary J. Blige and Aaliyah, the latter with whom she eventually collaborated with. She also cites influences from Chaka Khan, Rza, Shirley Caesar, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.

Wray is contralto and has demonstrated her voice in her first album. Wray has also proven to focus her voice through another vocal range known as mezzo-soprano. In addition, Wrays music is predominantly considered contemporary R and B, but has also included many touches of dance-pop, hip-hop, and soul.

Songwriting

Since the release of album in 1998, Wray has wrote many songs. She written songs for artists like Kenny Wray, Trina Broussard, Myrtis Wray and Lil Nikki. Nicole and her brother Kenny Wray, also write songs together. Wray has written or co-written all of her songs except but the album Make It Hot. Wray also composed several beats for her songs like "Raise Your Frown" and "Dont Have To".

Alias

During her time with Roc-A-Fella, Wray was given the new title of, "The First Lady at Roc" and "Betty Boo". Deejays also gave her the title, "The Original Princess of Roc-A-Fella/The First Lady of Dipset". In 2007, Aftermath producer and The Aphilliates referred to Nicole as "Billie Holiday of the Streetz". Close friends of Wray, refer to her as Nikki Wray.

Other Activies

In 2004, Wray appeared at the Hip-Hop Summit Race To The Polls. In November 2006, Nicole opened up the 13th Living Legends Foundation with the Nation Anthem. Many other artists made appearances like Monica, Fantasia Barrino, and Jay-Z. Since that time, Wray served as a client for Renown Records. Wray has appeared in cover of King, Baby Phat, and Smooth Magazine.

Discography

Albums

* 1998: Make It Hot

* 2001: Elektric Blue

* 2005: Lovechild

* 2010: Ms. America

Mixtapes

* 2007: InDepenDance Day: Volume One The Takeover

* 2008: Mattress Music R and B

* 2008: Whos The King Volume Five

Singles

1998: Make It Hot (ft Mocha and Missy)

1998: I Cant See (ft Mocha and Camron)

1999: Eyes Better Not Wander

1999: All N My Grill (Missy ft Nicole and Big Boi)

1999: I Like Control (Dj Clue ft Mocha, Nicole, and Missy)

2000: Bangin (ft Prodigy

2001: Im Lookin

2002: Dont Have To (with Pam and Dodi)

2003: Welcome Home (with Dirt Mcgirt)

2004: If I Was Your Girlfriend

2004: Regrets (ft Jay-Z)

2005: Cant Get Out of the Game (ft Beanie Sigel)

2006: Do Your Thing (Camron ft Nicole)

2006: Love My Life (Camron ft Nicole)

2006: Dear Father

2008: Stand Up

2008: Dice Roll (ft Young Fell)

2009: I Like It Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.