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While in high school, Nicole Wray befriended hip-hop and R&B artist, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot. Missy had so much faith in Nicole that in 1998, after numerous studio sessions, Nicole was deemed the first artist on Missy's Goldmind record label.
In the summer of 1998, 17-year-old Nicole released her debut album Make It Hot, introducing such tracks as the "Eyes Better Not Wander," the sultry ballad "Curiosity," and the title track" Make It Hot." Her album became #2 on the Billboard R&B charts, #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and sold over 500, 000 copies within the first four weeks. Still only 17-years-old, Nicole had already shot 3 music videos and appeared as a guest artist on various albums. Shortly after, Nicole parted ways with Goldmind. Moving forward and never giving up, Nicole worked effortlessly on her songwriting. Four years later, Nicole was once again sought after, and is now the newest R&B songstress on Roc-a-fella Records.
With her new album LoveChild, Nicole educates listeners about love, life, relationships and struggle, all while staying true to her home. In this album, she demonstrates her immense growth as an artist and a young woman. Only this time it's not R&B, it's a movement.
- MTV
Discography
In mid-1998, her debut album Make It Hot was released. Although criticized for Elliott's heavy-handed involvement (she produced, wrote, and performed on much of the album),[2] the first single, "Make It Hot" peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold.[3] Nicole's second single, "I Can't See", only managed to make it as high as number 36 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart.[4] Later that year, Nicole released a song, "Without You," which appeared on the soundtrack to the film Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Make It Hot peaked at number nineteen on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (number 42 on The Billboard 200) and dropped off by the end of the year.[5][6]
In 1999, Nicole released a third single from Make It Hot, "Eyes Better Not Wander", which peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[7]
Later that year, Nicole appeared on Missy Elliott's second album, Da Real World, on the song "All n My Grill".
Unreleased albums:
In July 2001, Wray released a new single, "I'm Lookin'", that was reported to be from a forthcoming album to be called Elektric Blue[8] "I'm Lookin'" peaked at number 66 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[9] but the album was never released.
After parting ways with The Goldmind, Wray released "I Wanna Kiss You" on the soundtrack to the film Love Don't Cost a Thing.
In 2004, Nicole released the single "If I Was Your Girlfriend" on Roc-A-Fella Records. She was later placed with the Dame Dash Music Group where she began working on another album, Lovechild, which, like Elektric Blue, was shelved.
Recent activity:
In late-2007 interview, Wray told Spotlight Grooves that she hadn't yet decided on an album title but that she and Focus were "going make people feel the music like on her last album, Make It Hot.[10] Later that year, Wray appeared on two songs on Hurricane Chris's album 51/50 Ratchet. Currently Nicole is working with Sta Bizzi Entertainment in Atlanta, GA (http://www.stabizzient.com) who is developing her new album called 'Changes'. She currently is unsigned and looking for entities interested in her project.
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Bio
Nicole Wray resembles your refined Ella Fitzgerald “a tisket a tasket”, meets the modern raucous Lady Day of the streets. Nicole Wray personifies the cool girl next door - one moment she's kickin' it with the fellas, the next, she's blowin' down the stage in her sassy dress. One minute she's getting her nails “did” with the girls, the next, she's playing ball in the park. Nicole Wray epitomizes your down to earth diva with her larger than life, yet approachable persona. Her sultry yet compelling voice speaks to the core of your soul, demanding your attention in a calming, pre-flowing demeanor. Easy to talk to and honest, Nicole could simply be your best friend, or possibly your girlfriend in your fantasy, as she is soothingly soulful and sexy.
This young talented singer is destined to become music's next legend. Nicole was born in the glitz and glam state of California, predestined to become a star. Shortly after, she moved to the small town of Portsmouth, Virginia (across the bay from Ella's hometown of Newport News), where the performance bug bit her at an early age, and buzzed her way to her first recording contract as a teenager. Nicole crafted her soulful voice in church where she became one of the star choir members, and even began to model in local fashion shows, hence her unique style of contemporary classic meets urban.
It was during this time when Nicole gained camaraderie with Hip Hop/R&B music mogul Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot. Missy, impressed with Nicole's talents, gained confidence and devotion in Nicole's artistry. Subsequently, Nicole rose to fame as the first artist to be signed to Missy Elliot's Goldmind label and made her first professional recordings on Missy's “Supa Dupa Fly”. Nicole released her first debut album, Make it Hot, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide with sultry ballads such as “Seventeen” and “Curiosity”, to dance floor grooves such as “Make It Hot”, a top ten hit R&B banger produced by Timbaland. At 17, one can say Nicole was doing very well for herself. She had three music videos under her belt and various collaborations on assorted albums. Shortly after parting ways with Goldmind, Nicole honed in on her songwriting, by immersing herself into music legends of the past and the reserved awareness of the tuneful present, to make her groundbreaking mark in the future. Four years later, Nicole was once again sought after, and is now the newest R&B songstress on Roc-a-fella Records.
Now she is out on her own doing the independent thang. She has a blazin' mix tape called Independence Day, narrated by DJ Don Cannon, which includes Mike Jones, Beanie Sigel, and Realest. Nitti and Freeway are showing some love as well. Nicole receives so much love all around the world and wants to say to all of her fans, that she appreciates all the energy and passion and love and has been in the studio (Sta Bizzi Studios - Atlanta, GA) and promises one of the most powerful projects done to date. She will drop her new album Early in 2008. She wants her new album to involve the fans, so she invites your comments and support. She has stated that she wants her singles to be released chosen by the fans.
So Go sign up at all her sites:
http://myspace.com/whoisnicolewray personal
http://myspace.com/nicolewraymusic music
http://www.stabizzient.com Production
Label/Studio - Atlanta
In this new album (Changes), she demonstrates her immense growth as an artist and a young woman. Only this time it's not R&B, it's a movement ya'll!
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