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
War Is Over
Ray J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here some courage and some wisdom
As you go on life's mission
Hope you make the right decisions
Although life's just an illusion
People get locked up
Some start using
While the government is recruitin'
[Chorus x2]
But when the war is over
You won't have to worry no more
When the war is over
You won't have to cry on my shoulder
When we need it
It's time for freedom
No more voices
We can beat em'
Stand together fight the struggle
Take our justice to another level
Your mistakes please don't repeat em'
All your goals you can achieve them
When they tell you no don't believe them
All your enemies you can defeat em'
[Chorus x2]
We just gotta walk away
And pray that it will be okay
Know there will be brighter day's
See when you little kids get older
Think of what your elders told ya
Remember all the fallen soldiers
When the war is over
Everything is meant to be
It will all go down in history
Just be proud of your family
When the war is over
Well we're gonna make it through
Forget about the things we do
I just want peace with you
When the war is over
[Chorus x2]
One day one day one day
I hope to see my brother
One day one day one day
I hope to see my homie Tupac
One day one day one day
I hope to see my nigga Biggie
One day one day one day
I hope to see my girl Aaliyah
One day one day one day
I hope to see my girl Left Eye
One day one day one day
I hope to see Big Pun and Jam Master Jay
In the song War Is Over, Ray J addresses the struggles and illusions of life. He encourages his audience, whom he refers to as his brothers and sisters, to be courageous, wise and to make the right decisions in life despite the illusions it presents us with. Ray J points out the reality of life with the illustration of how people get locked up and start using drugs, while the government enlists and trains more soldiers to go to war. Ray J's main message, however, is one of hope and reassurance that there is a brighter day coming after the war, and that one day he hopes to see his brothers and sisters reunited with their loved ones who have passed away, including Tupac, Biggie, Aaliyah, Left Eye, Big Pun and Jam Master Jay.
The chorus of the song highlights the idea that once the war is over, there will be no more worry or need to cry on someone's shoulder. When we come together in unity, fight against the common enemy, and take justice to another level, we can beat any voice of oppression that tries to hold us back. Ray J acknowledges that life is not without its challenges, but he encourages his audience to learn from their mistakes, aim for their goals, and believe in what they can achieve, even in the face of negativity.
War Is Over is a powerful song that draws attention to the realities of life, the hard choices required of individuals, and the courage required to make those choices. Ray J encourages his audience to stand tall and believe that freedom and justice can be achieved, as long as we walk away from the things that hold us down and work together to build a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
My brothers and sisters
Addressing the audience as a group, implying a connection and a shared responsibility.
Here some courage and some wisdom
Encouraging the audience to be brave and wise in their lives.
As you go on life's mission
Acknowledging that everyone has a mission or purpose in life.
Hope you make the right decisions
Wishing the audience success in making good choices.
Although life's just an illusion
Reflecting on the idea that life may not be as it appears.
People get locked up
Pointing out that people sometimes suffer negative consequences for their actions.
Some start using
Suggesting that some people turn to drugs or other negative behaviors.
While the government is recruitin'
Highlighting that the government is actively recruiting soldiers.
They trainin' more soldiers to go out and do it
Suggesting that the government is preparing for war or conflict.
But when the war is over
Assuming a future time when the conflict is resolved.
You won't have to worry no more
Implying that the end of war will bring relief and safety.
When the war is over
Repeating the hope for peace and safety after conflict.
You won't have to cry on my shoulder
Offering solace to the audience, implying that they can find comfort in each other.
When we need it
Implying that freedom is a necessity.
It's time for freedom
Asserting that now is the time for freedom.
No more voices
Emphasizing that negative voices or opinions should be silenced.
We can beat em'
Encouraging the audience to stand up against those who oppose them.
Stand together fight the struggle
Rallying the audience to unite and confront their challenges together.
Take our justice to another level
Elevating the conversation to include a focus on justice and fairness.
Your mistakes please don't repeat em'
Encouraging the audience to learn from past errors and avoid repeating them.
All your goals you can achieve them
Promoting a sense of possibility and confidence in the audience.
When they tell you no don't believe them
Encouraging the audience to be resilient and persistent in pursuit of their goals despite adversity.
All your enemies you can defeat em'
Asserting that even opponents or enemies can be overcome with effort and determination.
We just gotta walk away
Suggesting that sometimes it is best to avoid conflict or negativity.
And pray that it will be okay
Encouraging the audience to find peace through faith and optimism.
Know there will be brighter day's
Promoting hope for the future.
See when you little kids get older
Looking forward to the future and the legacy that the audience will leave behind.
Think of what your elders told ya
Encouraging the audience to reflect on the wisdom of their elders and the lessons they were taught.
Remember all the fallen soldiers
Honoring those who gave their lives in military service.
Everything is meant to be
Suggesting that there is a purpose and a meaning to everything that happens.
It will all go down in history
Asserting that events will be recorded and remembered in history.
Just be proud of your family
Encouraging the audience to take pride in their family and heritage.
Well we're gonna make it through
Reaffirming a sense of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Forget about the things we do
Suggesting that people should leave behind their negative behavior or actions.
I just want peace with you
Expressing a desire for harmony and unity with the audience.
One day one day one day
Repeating a phrase for emphasis and rhythm.
I hope to see my brother
Expressing longing to reunite with a family member.
I hope to see my homie Tupac
Expressing admiration and respect for the late rapper Tupac Shakur.
I hope to see my nigga Biggie
Expressing admiration and respect for the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.
I hope to see my girl Aaliyah
Expressing admiration and respect for the late singer Aaliyah.
I hope to see my girl Left Eye
Expressing admiration and respect for the late rapper Lisa Lopes of TLC.
I hope to see Big Pun and Jam Master Jay
Expressing admiration and respect for the late rappers Big Pun and Jam Master Jay.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRANDY NORWOOD, NOEL C. FISHER, WILLIE RAY NORWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind