RAY LAVENDER

RAY LAVENDER
Over the years, Atlanta, Georgia has introduced & credits its fair share of music superstars to the world and with the introduction of Singer/Songwriter/Actor/Model, Ray Lavender, that tradition will undoubtedly live within this ultimate entertainer. Coming to Atlanta by way of Monroe, Louisiana, Ray is poised to become one of music’s’ brightest young stars with his sensual yet hard-edged brand of R&B with a universal appeal. Growing up, Ray admired a wide array of artist: Fred Hammond, Shirley Murdock, and Prince, just to name a few. But it was R. Kelly who truly inspired Ray to pursue his passion. “He inspired me to write, sing, and become a hard working musician”. This work ethic has stayed with Ray to this day and has only grown as he is equally passionate about songwriting as he is about singing. It all started with a music executive over-hearing harmonies from a group called Collabo at a studio in Atlanta, and was blown away by the lead singer, which happened to be Ray Lavender. Ray later began recording as a solo artist, and the music industry would begin to take notice. After performing on Soul Train, his tireless pursuit of success gained him the respect of the industry's top of producers including Jazze Pha, Dallas Austin, Teddy Riley and Tricky Stewart. It also gave the world the first peek at his work as he wrote the song "Knock, Knock, Knock" for Gerald Levert's "A Stroke of Genius" album. Ray then began to seek production for his debut solo project , so he decided to reach out to prominent musician, Akon. There was an instant chemistry between the two and Ray was immediately signed as the first act to Akon's Kon Live Distribution label. Ray records his album under the creative mastery of the multi-platinum selling producer/artist Akon. Though his peers in the industry serve as a major motivator, it is from his life that Ray draws his greatest inspirations. Coming from a large family of music lovers, Ray was destined for the stage, but it was the untimely loss of his father that motivated him to make a difference. Not only for himself, but for his family. The other inspiration for this handsome talent was the ladies of course. Handsome looks, along with a sweet Southern drawl & charisma, have made him a woman's crush for many years now. “Women are the most beautiful creatures on earth, why wouldn't a wise man express that through a song?”, Ray says with a smile and a laugh. With hit singles “My Girl Gotta Girlfriend” featuring Fabolous & Red Cafe', “Put It Down” featuring T-Pain, & “Stay” produced by Tank, Ray shows how versatile his music can be, but it's his hypnotizing charm blended with luring instruments & sounds that makes up his 2010 debut single "Text Me A Pic", that's on path to surge text message mayhem. Debut self-titled album, "RAY LAVENDER", convincingly displays to be nothing shy of a conglomerate of musical satisfactions & fulfillments to its' upmost expectations. Ray has delivered diversity, range, quality, & consistency with his masterpiece song collection that makes up his album. "RAY LAVENDER" is proof of a brilliant musician at his best!