Published: Monday - July 28, 2008
Words by Kavelle "Kaboom" Christie
http://www.ballerstatus.com/... Ray Lavender's voice is as hypnotic as his surname suggests: smooth, satiating and sexy. That aside, and more importantly, Ray-L's engaging and approachable personality makes it easy for anyone to forget he/she isn't hanging out with a long-time friend -- a key ingredient to success.
It's this "openness" that caused Ray-L's current single, "My Girl's Got a Girlfriend," to raise a few eyebrows. You have to admit, it's not something many guys would openly confess to: (Ray Lavender: "It always goes back to reality and music. Somebody else wouldn't talk about something like tha...) -- but not Ray-L.
And from all indications, his upcoming album, X-Rayted, and imminent soulful ballad, "Stay" featuring Tank, are poised to be hits that might catapult him to the top of the R&B game in very much the same way "Locked Up" from the album, Trouble (2003), did for his mentor, Akon.
BallerStatus.com: How did you end up with Konvict Muzik?
Ray Lavender: Well I met Akon back in 1997 and at that time he as a producer for the Fugees, but nobody knew about Akon. Then I was working as a delivery driver and this guy I knew heard me and was like, "Yo, you can sing; I wanna introduce you to a producer," and when I went, Akon opened the door. He played some tracks and I loved them. So he asked me to sing and I did, and he loved it. Me and Akon, we have a great working relationship. It was inevitable that we would be working together even after he blew up, and once he did, he came back.
BallerStatus.com: Who are some of the people you've worked with in the industry?
Ray Lavender: Wow, I've worked with Teddy Riley, he's a guru and I learnt a lot from him. I've worked with Busta, and he's wild. His records tell his whole life. Then there's T-Pain, my brother and partner in crime. There's Akon and Tank, who I just finished a song with for my album. When I was working with him, I was like a kid in a candy store. Whatever he asked me to do, I tried to out-do, it was great.
BallerStatus.com: You went through a few names before settling on Ray Lavender, what's the reason for this name?
Ray Lavender: Well I went through a couple of name changes and there were already a lot of "Rays" out there already. My name is Earl Ray Lavender and so that's really where the "Ray" came from. When I was in school and was being bad, the teachers would always say, "Mr. Lavender, get your butt over here," so we attached the "Lavender" and the name sounded real R&B-ish.
BallerStatus.com: Over the years, there has been an influx of artists from the south, Atlanta in particular, but what will make you stand out?
Ray Lavender: It's my style, my swagger. When I get onstage, I own the stage. God, I don't wanna sound egotistical, but it's kinda like the new guy in school who's got a lot of women trying to get at him. That's me. I'm the new guy. I am that guy who can really interpret that song like none other. If I gotta say it, it's gotta be said and people end up loving it.
BallerStatus.com: Is that what happened with "My Girl's Got A Girlfriend?"
Ray Lavender: Yeah, that's why I'm true. It always goes back to reality and music. Somebody else wouldn't talk about something like that. But I found out that she (girlfriend) was cheating -- and it was with a girl at that. So I was like, "Since you already doing that, I'mma get up in there with you like the story said." But it messed with me 'cause that was my real girl. But I was like, "Since we not gonna get married anyway, I'mma get in and fit in."
BallerStatus.com: (Laughing). Okay, I hear you man. What's slated to be your next single?
Ray Lavender: It's the song, "Stay," with me and Tank, which we co-wrote. It's like, I got a girl, but there's another girl who me and her broke up and she found another man. It's like we want to be together, but I can't lose my girl and I see her out with her new man. I'm like "Yo, this can't happen, let's find a way to stay." So me and Tank got down on that song. I love that track.
BallerStatus.com: When can we expect the album?
Ray Lavender: It will be out in September. There's no date yet, but it will definitely be out this September.
BallerStatus.com: What are some of the sacrifices you've had to make because of your music?
Ray Lavender: That's a really good question; no one has ever asked me that before. I would have to say it's being away from home. I'm from the south, so I don't drink or do a lot of clubbing. I mainly stay home and watch DVDs, eat and that sort of thing. I spend a lot of time being away from home, so that means a lot to me, but I've sacrificed a lot. I remember I had no money at one point in time and I was almost homeless 'cause music wasn't paying that much. It's not like people are rushing to pay you that much when people don't know who you are, so it has been a lot of hard work and sacrifices.
BallerStatus.com: What is your definition of success?
Ray Lavender: Being happy: that's success to me. A lot of people are rich and not happy. I'm happy doing music; I mean I had to like it to do it when it wasn't going as fast as I wanted. When I wake up, I think of music ... money is the bypass product.
BallerStatus.com: Who was Ray Lavender before music and fame?
Ray Lavender: I'm a good old country southern boy because I haven't always had that whole "Ray Lavender" title going on.
BallerStatus.com: What is something about you that very few people know?
Ray Lavender: I can cook and barbeque very good. I'm good with that. I can make you fall in love just with my barbequing. So go tell your mama, you met somebody (laughing).
BallerStatus.com: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Ray Lavender: On someone's screen, acting. I see myself writing, being in movies, modeling, and singing with my own record label.
BallerStatus.com: Any final words?
Ray Lavender: Yeah, I just wanna say thanks to everyone for supporting me. Interscope (Records), my big homie, Akon, for taking a country boy and making him fly. I just wanna say thanks to everyone. Check out my MySpace page, Myspace.com/RayLavender.
Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas is still the sweet-smiling girl you know and love from the mega-selling group TLC. In fact, she’s better. She’s dealt with her share of fair trials and tragedy, and is ready to shake it off, strike out on her own and embrace new triumphs that life brings her way. Here, the down-to-earth diva talks about her new album, the joys of motherhood, the romance rumors, and her secrets to success within the industry.
