William Ray Norwood Sr. (born November 30, 1955) is an American

gospel Gospel originally meant the Christian message (" the gospel"), but in the 2nd century it came to be used also for the books in which the message was set out. In this sense a gospel can be defined as a loose-knit, episodic narrative of the words a ...

singer. He is the father and voice coach of R&B singers Brandy and

Ray J William Ray Norwood Jr. (born January 17, 1981), known professionally as Ray J, is an American singer, actor, and television personality. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Carson, California, he is the younger brother of recording a ...

Career

1975–1992: Early career

Willie Norwood's career in the music industry began at

Jackson State University Jackson State University (Jackson State or JSU) is a public historically black research university in Jackson, Mississippi. It is one of the largest HBCUs in the United States and the fourth largest university in Mississippi in terms of studen ...

on a band scholarship during the 1970s where he joined a soul music group named The Composers, becoming their lead vocalist and trumpeter. The group found a modicum of success playing the

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

club scene and began opening up for acts such as

Rufus Rufus is a masculine given name, a surname, an Ancient Roman cognomen and a nickname (from Latin '' rufus'', "red"). Notable people with the name include: Given name Politicians * Rufus Ada George (born 1940), Nigerian politician * Rufus ...

and Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls. Norwood soon moved to Hollywood with the group where they attracted a loyal following. 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 McComb is a city in Pike County, Mississippi, United States. The city is approximately south of Jackson. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 12,790. It is the principal city of the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statist ...

, in the late 1970s to begin a family as well as to regain focus. Eventually, California would once again play an important role musically for Willie Norwood and family. 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

the opportunity to enhance their blooming musical interest.

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 Kirk is a Scottish and former Northern English word meaning "church". It is often used specifically of the Church of Scotland. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it. Basic meaning and etymology As a common noun, ''kirk' ...

, Billy Preston, The William Brothers,

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 Knockout Entertainment is singer Ray J's vanity label, founded in 2001. The label specializes in R&B, hip hop, and gospel. Originally released under Sanctuary Records, a press release in December 2007 announced a new partnership with E1 Records. ...

. 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.

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. 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. Production on the compilation was handled by several producers, including

Big Bert Robert Anthony Smith, known as Big Bert, is an American record producer, songwriter and musician. He made a break in the industry when Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins consulted him to join his Darkchild collective in the late 1990s. He went on to co ...

Clinton Sparks Clinton Charls Sparks (born September 18, 1975) is an American DJ, record producer, songwriter and singer from Boston, Massachusetts. He initially started his career as a rapper, dancer, producer, and DJ who gained notoriety by making bootleg r ...

, and The Jam. Upon release, critics such as ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

'' 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".

2020: B7

Norwood is credited as vocal coach on his daughter's seventh studio album, '' B7''.Norwood, Brandy. ''B7''. lbum Liner Notes Brand Nu, Inc. /

eOne Entertainment One Ltd., trading as eOne, is an American-owned Canadian multinational entertainment company. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the company is primarily involved in the acquisition, distribution, and production of films and television s ...

. Catalog SPV 783812.

Personal life

Norwood, a member of Omega Psi Phi (1968 YE -

), married Sonja Bates and had two children: Brandy Rayana on February 11, 1979 and William 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 Solo or SOLO may refer to: Arts and entertainment Comics * ''Solo'' (DC Comics), a DC comics series * Solo, a 1996 mini-series from Dark Horse Comics Characters * Han Solo, a ''Star Wars'' character * Jacen Solo, a Jedi in the non-canonical ''S ...

at the age of two. Willie has 3 older children from previous relationships, Monica, Candy and son Danyelle Brown, an aspiring rapper. They also have family who still reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that they haven’t had contact with in many years. Brandy and Ray J have many first cousins. Norwood became a grandfather to Brandy's only child on June 16, 2002, when Brandy gave birth to a daughter, Sy'rai Iman Smith. Norwood's son had two children with wife Princess Love: a daughter, Melody Love, born on May 22, 2018, and a son, Epik Ray, born on January 7, 2020.

Discography

*2001: '' Bout It'' *2006: ''I Believe'' *2011: '' A Family Business'' *2013: ''Merry Christmas – EP''

References

External links

Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Norwood, Willie 1955 births Living people American gospel singers American members of the Churches of Christ American rhythm and blues singers American soul singers African-American Christians 20th-century African-American male singers American male singers Singers from Mississippi Musicians from Cleveland People from McComb, Mississippi 21st-century African-American people