He was signed with Elektra in 1995 by Darryl Williams. In 1997, he performed in a television special with his sister, but despite the mainstream attention, he was dropped by Elektra soon after. His easygoing image and boyish looks appealed to the producers of Brandy's television show, Moesha, scoring him a role on the popular UPN series starting in 1999. He also started producing, putting together the music for several commercials and a few of the demos for his second record. In 1997 he also released his debut album Everything You Want, recorded the year before, which spawned two singles. "Let It Go" was the lead single of the smash soundtrack for Set It Off (Brandy also appeared on the soundtrack; and her song "Missing You" with Tamia, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight peaked also at number 25). It peaked number 25 in the U.S. and number 11 in New Zealand. The second single peaked at number 54 on the U.S. R&B chart.
After appearing on the last episode of Moesha in 2001, Norwood stepped back into the studio and recorded "Another Day In Paradise" with Brandy, which was a Top Ten success in Austria, UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands and number 11 in Australia and France. The song was the lead single of the R&B/Hip Hop tribute Urban Renewal, in which he co-produced and performed songs. Norwood also worked with The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins and Lil' Kim, and several other hitmaking producers and singers for his second studio album This Ain't A Game, a Hip hop-oriented record that featured more of his rapping than his debut. The album was released in 2001, but despite a strong promotional push from new label Atlantic Records, it wasn't a breakthrough success. The lead single "Wait A Minute" appeared in the lower half of the charts in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Great Britain. The second single did even worse peaking on the R&B/Hip hop chart only.
In 2002 he appeared in the video for his sister's smash-hit "What About Us", which was produced by Jerkins, and was released as her third album, Full Moon's lead single during the first quarter of 2002 (see 2002 in music). While "What About Us?" entered the Top 20 on the majority of the charts it appeared on, it reached the Top 10 in Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, the UK, and the United States.
After a two year break, Norwood returned to recording studios, adding the finishing touches on his third studio album Raydiation with help from producers such as Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland, and R. Kelly. A joint venture by Sanctuary Records and Ray-J's own label, independent Knockout Entertainment, the album was finally released on September 27, 2005 in North America after several delays, debuting at number forty-eight on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 18,321 copies in the first week. Boosted by the album's lead single "One Wish," a top 20 success in Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, the U.S.. Raydiation eventually sold over 400,000 copies domestically.[2]
In 2005, Norwood joined the cast of UPN's One On One,[3] where he played the character of D-Mack for the final season.
More recently, Knockout Entertainment announced a multi-million dollar album deal with Koch Records and Shaquille O'Neal’s "Deja 34" entertainment company.[2] The first album for this deal is Norwood's upcoming fourth album All I Feel, which featuresThe Game, and remixes with Manny and Gil (MP Productions) among others. It was released on April 1st,2008.[4] The album's first single is "Sexy Can I" featuring rapper Yung Berg peaked at number three on the Top Singles (Hot 100) for six weeks. A video for the track, directed by R. Malcolm Jones, was shot in December 2007
Gifts
Ray J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said shawty got gifts, gifts, gifts... gifts damn girl
Said shawty got gifts, shawty got gifts, shawty got gifts
Shawty got lips
Shawty got hips in the club
Shawty make a nigga wanna give tips
She climb up to the top
Shawty know how to make her body do tricks
Said shawty got a name
You lookin' real fly
You lookin' real cute in your birthday suit
Girl you know I'm gone stare
You know I'm gone shoot
You're my number call me
Girlfriend if it's cool
Have drinks for the pool
Call it a deuce
Why I'm tryna get you drunk
I'm gettin' drunk too
I know the feelings the same
So imma tell you
(I tell you no lie girl this song is about you)
[Chorus]
(Listen)
Said shawty got lips
Shawty got hips in the club
Shawty make a nigga wanna give tips
She climb up to the top
And down into a split
Shawty know how to make her body do tricks
Shawty got gifts (hey)gifts (hey)
You know how to lick those lips(hey) lips (hey)
You got a half of moon on them hips(hey) hips(hey)
Shake your body down then you dip, dip
I'm pullin' out my cell phone flip, flip
You know I got to sneak and take a pic, pic
You make a dude wanna spend his chips, chips
I think I fell in love wit her clit, clit, clit, clit
[Chorus]
When she wakes up in the morning
Said shawty got lips
Shawty got hips in the club
Shawty make a nigga wanna give tips
She climb up to the top
And down into a split
Shawty know how to make her body do tricks
Shawty got
Off in da club(hey), off in da club(hey)
Show us some love(hey), show us some love(hey)
Off in da club(hey), off in da club(yuh man)
Show us some love(hey), show us some love(hey)
Now see your body like a whip, whip
I want to ride around in it, it
I wanna cruise the wavy ship, ship
But we don't want relationships no
Show me some love now
Off in da club(hey), off in da club(hey
Show us some love(hey), show us some love(hey)
Off in da club(hey), off in da club(hey)
Show us some love(hey), show us some love(hey)
[Chorus]
Said shawty got lips
Shawty got hips in the club
Shawty make a nigga wanna give tips
She climb up to the top
And down into a split
Shawty know how to make her body do tricks
Shawty got (screwed)
The lyrics to Ray J's song "Gifts" celebrates the physical attributes of a woman named Shawty. The chorus of the song praises her gifts, which include her lips, hips, and overall ability to move her body in mesmerizing ways. As the song progresses, Ray J admires her body as she performs a split and other acrobatic moves in the club. He mentions how he wants to buy her drinks and eventually asks her out, even though he doesn't want a committed relationship. The song implies that Ray J is only interested in Shawty for her physical gifts.
Throughout the song, Ray J objectifies women by reducing them to their physicality. He doesn't show any respect for their personal experiences or emotions, objectifying them as objects to be admired and consumed. Instead, he focuses on his own desires and how women can fulfill them. The lyrics reinforce sexist stereotypes which encourage the objectification and dehumanization of women.
Although the song is catchy, it is essential to recognize how it promotes negative stereotypes about women. The lyrics reinforce the idea that women are primarily valuable for their physical appearance, which can have long-lasting effects on their self-esteem and overall mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
Said shawty got gifts, gifts, gifts... gifts damn girl
The singer is complimenting Shawty and emphasizing the fact that she has incredible qualities.
Shawty got lips
Shawty has an attractive and alluring mouth.
Shawty got hips in the club
Shawty possesses curvaceous hips that are particularly noticeable when she's out on the dance floor.
Shawty make a nigga wanna give tips
Shawty's captivating presence and skills on the dance floor make the singer feel inclined to compensate her for entertaining him.
She climb up to the top
Shawty climbs to the top of the pole or platform that she's dancing on to showcase her dexterity.
And down into a split
Shawty performs a challenging move where she stretches her legs apart by lowering herself to the ground, demonstrating the flexibility of her body.
Shawty know how to make her body do tricks
Shawty is an exceptional dancer who can perform impressive and captivating moves effortlessly.
Said shawty got a name
The singer recognizes Shawty's name.
You lookin' real fly
Shawty is looking particularly attractive that day or night.
You lookin' real cute in your birthday suit
The singer is admiring Shawty's naked body, as if it's their birthday and they just received her as an irresistible present.
Girl you know I'm gone stare
The singer confesses that he can't help but looking at Shawty.
You know I'm gone shoot
The singer will attempt to take pictures of Shawty without getting caught but also means the act of indulging in a sexual relationship with her.
You're my number call me
The singer wants to be Shawty's go-to person in case she needs something.
Have drinks for the pool
The singer plans on sipping drinks with Shawty while they're on a poolside or near a pool.
Call it a deuce
The singer is suggesting they share two drinks as represented by the dice roll of two.
Why I'm tryna get you drunk
The singer wants Shawty to drink more for his own benefit, to lower Shawty's inhibitions and the possibility of them having sex.
I'm gettin' drunk too
The singer will be drinking with Shawty as well.
I know the feelings the same
The singer believes Shawty feels the same way about him as he does about her.
So imma tell you
The singer will be honest with Shawty.
(I tell you no lie girl this song is about you)
The singer is telling Shawty that the song he's singing is specifically about her.
Shawty got gifts (hey)gifts (hey)
Shawty has exceptional traits, which the singer wants to emphasize.
You know how to lick those lips(hey) lips (hey)
Shawty uses her lips in an enticing manner that's captivating the singer.
You got a half of moon on them hips(hey) hips(hey)
Shawty's hips are shaped like a crescent moon, which the singer is possibly admiring or paying homage to.
Shake your body down then you dip, dip
Shawty shimmies her body and then bends down low, seemingly showing off her dance moves.
I'm pullin' out my cell phone flip, flip
The singer is pulling out his phone to take a picture of Shawty.
You know I got to sneak and take a pic, pic
The singer has to secretly take Shawty's picture to avoid getting caught.
You make a dude wanna spend his chips, chips
Shawty's charms compel the singer to spend his money on her.
I think I fell in love wit her clit, clit, clit, clit
The singer is sexually attracted to Shawty's genitalia and possibly thinks that it's the best he's ever experienced.
When she wakes up in the morning
The singer switches his focus to Shawty's morning routines or activities.
Off in da club(hey), off in da club(hey)
Shawty is in the club, and the singer is directing his attention to her.
Show us some love(hey), show us some love(hey)
The singer is asking Shawty to demonstrate affection or attention to him.
Now see your body like a whip, whip
The singer compares Shawty's body to a whip, which can have several possible meanings, like being flexible or cause pain, or being dangerous.
I want to ride around in it, it
The singer wants to be physically intimate with Shawty, despite his previous statement about not wanting a relationship.
I wanna cruise the wavy ship, ship
The singer wants Shawty to join him in experiencing the highs and lows of pleasure during sexual activities.
But we don't want relationships no
The singer confirms that he doesn't want a serious relationship with Shawty.
Show me some love now
The singer repeats his earlier request for affection from Shawty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NOEL C. FISHER, WILLIE RAY NORWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris L.
this song sounds like something the dream would sing
Jade Barnes
He probably wrote it lol
Michael Tolliver
@Jade Barnes my thoughts. I was gonna write that.
Rey Hugo TV
Ray J was in his bag on this one. This was when he figured out how to make hits.
NOVI NOV
THIS IS OFFICIALLY ANOTHER BANGER!! You can tell RAY J went to the LAB on this album OVERTIME! I'm not gonna front....THIS ALBUM IS HONESTLY ONE OF THE HOTTEST R&B DIPS I'VE HEARD IN YEARS...Flat out ENJOYABLE. If you ain't doing that "Gifts" Dance.....YOU'RE TRIPPIN! I can't front....I'm REALLLLLY FUCKIN WIT THIS....All I Feel....it's a good ass album...that's all I can say. (no...nobody paid me to say this.)
maria brown
I cant stop laughing at his dance moves in every video
King Arsine
Please tell me im not the only one ever pulled out the side to side dance when u hear this lmao
blackspace
no, I was just about to say that ctfu
blackspace
no, I was just about to say that ctfu
El Boogie337
I'm still hitting that shit