Nicole Wray (born Nicole Monique Wray on July 1, 1981), is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Wray was born in Salinas, California, and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. Wray first rose to fame in late 1990s when she sang on rapper and music producer Missy Elliott's debut album, Supa Dupa Fly. In August 1998, Nicole released her debut album, Make It Hot. The album featured the top ten single Make It Hot. In 2000, Nicole started working on another album, Elektric Blue. The album featured the sultry ballad, I'm Lookin'. In 2002, Wray left Elektra/The Goldmind Inc. and later in 2003 signed to Roc-A-Fella Records.
In 2004, Wray release a single, If I Was Your Girlfriend. In 2006, Wray appeared in the underground film, State Property 2. In 2009, Wray's sophomore album "Ms. America" is to released in 2010.
Career
In 1997, Nicole appeared on Elliott's 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 album's first single was Make It Hot, received excellent airplay. The album's second single I Can't 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 Elliott's 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, I'm Lookin'. In late 2001, Elektric Blue was cancelled due to label problems. Shortly after the album's cancellation, Wray and Elliott ended their business relationship, however they both confirmed that the deal ended on good terms. In 2002, Pam & Dodi re-recorded Don't Have To, from Elektric Blue, and release the song as the lead single of their self-titled album.
Without Missy's 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, Cam'ron and Nicole release a single entitled Do Your Thing, which received excellent airplay. Later that year, Wray made an appearance on Cam'ron's 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 & 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, Wray's music is predominantly considered contemporary R&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 "Don't 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&B
* 2008: Who's The King Volume Five
Singles
1998: Make It Hot (ft Mocha and Missy)
1998: I Can't See (ft Mocha and Cam'ron)
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: I'm Lookin'
2002: Don't Have To (with Pam & Dodi)
2003: Welcome Home (with Dirt Mcgirt)
2004: If I Was Your Girlfriend
2004: Regrets (ft Jay-Z)
2005: Can't Get Out of the Game (ft Beanie Sigel)
2006: Do Your Thing (Cam'ron ft Nicole)
2006: Love My Life (Cam'ron ft Nicole)
2006: Dear Father
2008: Stand Up
2008: Dice Roll (ft Young Fell)
2009: I Like It
I Found You
Nicole Wray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh
Uh huh Ooh Hoo
Aye Aye
Uhay Uhay
Ohhh , yea!
[Chorus:]
I wanna hold you
Kiss you
So sexy
Drive me crazy
I wanna hold you
Kiss you
So sexy
Drive me crazy
[Verse 1:]
Care how I move (I don?t even care)
My mind is sayin? that it is you
(U know that it?s you)
With every lil thing you do
(Thing you do)
(Those things that turn me on)
Don?t you know I can put it on you
Wanna bet you less that I can make your life better
[Pre Chorus:]
I want to get next to you
For the sexy things you do
I?m gonna sip it out of my mind
Hopin? you would take your time
Just take your time
[Chorus:]
I wanna hold you (oh)
Kiss you (kiss you)
So sexy (Ooh)
Drive me crazy (crazy baby)
I wanna hold you (hold you)
Kiss you (kiss you) (said yea hey)
So sexy (sexy)
Drive me crazy (drive me crazy, ooh no)
[Verse 2:]
When I think about you
(You know I think about you)
My heart beats not one but two
(Yeah, yeah)
you blowin? my mind
you blowin? my mine (blowin? my mind)
I can?t deny
I can?t deny it (Ooh, I can?t deny it)
I?m out of my head
I?m out of my head
Wanna bet you less that I can make your life better
[Pre Chorus:]
I want to get next to you (ooh)
For the sexy things you do (ooh)
I?m gonna sip it out of my mind (ooh)
Hopin you would take your time (ooh)
Just take your time (Take your time!)
[Chorus:]
I wanna hold you (you)
Kiss you (kiss you)
So sexy (sexy baby)
Drive me crazy (Crazy! Ooh)
I wanna hold you (you)
Kiss you (Yeah Yeah!)
So sexy (sexy)
Drive me crazy (oooohhhhhhhh!!!!!!)
[Bridge:]
Hello, hello it?s nice to know
Someone like you
To turn me on
You stole my heart (My heart)
Right from the start (ooohhhh!)
Hello, hello it?s nice to know
Someone like you
To turn me on (Turn me on!)
You stole my heart
Right from the start (Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!)
[Chorus:]
I wanna hold you (ooh, yea)
Kiss you (yeah, yeah)
So sexy (so sexy baby)
Drive me crazy (drive me crazy)
I wanna hold you (hold you baby)
Kiss you (kiss you darlin?)
So sexy (ooh, yea hey)
Drive me crazy (ooh yea)
I wanna hold you (wanna hold you)
Kiss you (wanna kiss you)
So sexy (sexy, sexy)
Drive me crazy (drive me crazy, drive me crazy)
I wanna hold you (drive me crazy, drive me crazy)
Kiss you
So sexy
Drive me crazy, baby
[Outro (Man Talking):]
Ha ha
see to 7 (to 7)
And we rock (rock)
Nicole Wray (nicole wray)
C?mon On (ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Like that (ooh)
Thas it
(Fades)
In Nicole Wray's song, "I Found You," the artist expresses deep feelings of attraction and desire towards her love interest. She wants to hold and kiss her lover because they drive her crazy with their actions. The lyrics emphasize her determination to be with her lover despite any obstacles that may come their way, indicating that she is ready to do anything to make their relationship work. She is confident that she can make her lover's life better and is eager to prove it. In the bridge, she expresses gratitude towards her lover for turning her on and stealing her heart right from the start.
The chorus is the most striking part of the song, with repeated emphasis on how she wants to hold and kiss her love interest because they drive her crazy. The pre-chorus talks about her desire to get close to her lover, hoping they will take their time, while the verses emphasize her infatuation with her lover's actions, which leave her out of her head. The use of repetition in the lyrics emphasizes the intensity of her emotions towards her lover.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna hold you
I want to physically embrace and have you close to me
Kiss you
I want to press my lips against yours in a sign of tenderness and passion
So sexy
I find you incredibly attractive, with a lot of charm and allure
Drive me crazy
Your presence and influence over me cause strong feelings of desire and uncontrollable behavior
Care how I move (I don?t even care)
I am unaffected by what others might think of my actions or feelings, as a result of how strongly drawn I am to you
My mind is sayin? that it is you
My thoughts are constantly focusing on you, to the point where I believe that you are the one for me
With every lil thing you do (Thing you do)
Every small action that you perform acts as a trigger, igniting my desire even more
Don?t you know I can put it on you
I am confident in my ability to make you feel good and satisfy your needs
Wanna bet you less that I can make your life better
I am so certain that my presence and influence can make a positive difference in your life that I am willing to make a bet on it
I want to get next to you
I want to be in close proximity to you and have physical contact
For the sexy things you do
The way that you carry yourself and act in a seductive manner attracts me to you
I?m gonna sip it out of my mind
I am going to let my memories and thoughts of you linger and remain with me for as long as possible
Hopin? you would take your time
I am wishing that you would be patient and understanding when it comes to our relationship
When I think about you
You are constantly on my mind and in my thoughts throughout the day
My heart beats not one but two (Yeah, yeah)
You make me feel such strong emotions that it seems like my heart is beating twice as fast as usual
you blowin? my mind
You are impressing and captivating me with how amazing you are
I can?t deny
I cannot refuse or reject how I feel about you
I?m out of my head
I am feeling overwhelmed and consumed by how strongly attracted I am to you
Hello, hello it?s nice to know Someone like you To turn me on
It is a great feeling to have someone as desirable and attractive as you to be interested in me
You stole my heart Right from the start
I was immediately drawn to and enamored by you when we first met
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind