Nicole Wray facts for kids

Nicole Monique Wray (born May 2, 1979), also known as Lady Wray, is an American singer and songwriter. She became famous in 1998 with her first song "Make It Hot". This song was very popular and sold many copies.

In the 2010s, Nicole started making music with a more traditional soul sound. First, she was part of a music group called Lady with Terri Walker. Later, she started performing as Lady Wray. As Lady Wray, she has released two albums: Queen Alone (2016) and Piece of Me (2022).

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Nicole Monique Wray was born in Salinas, California. Her parents are Debra and Kenneth Wray. She has an older brother, Kenny, who is also a singer, and a younger sister, Myrtis.

When Nicole was young, her family moved to Portsmouth, Virginia. She loved to sing and became a star in her church choir. She also took part in local fashion shows.

As a teenager, Nicole met the rapper Missy Elliott. Missy was looking for a female singer for her new record label, The Goldmind Inc.. Nicole impressed Missy by singing the SWV song "Weak". She became the first artist to sign with Missy's label. She also got a deal with Elektra Records.

Music Career Highlights

Early Success with Make It Hot

In 1997, Nicole Wray was featured on a song called "Gettaway" from Missy Elliott's first album, Supa Dupa Fly.

In June 1998, Nicole released her first single, "Make It Hot". This song was a huge hit! It reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It sold over 700,000 copies in just six weeks, earning a gold award.

On August 25, 1998, Nicole released her first album, also called Make It Hot. The album did well, reaching number forty-two on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. After her album came out, Nicole toured with Missy Elliott. She opened for Missy's concerts and sang backup vocals.

In September 1999, Missy Elliott released her song "All n My Grill". Nicole Wray was featured on this song, along with Big Boi and MC Solaar. This song was very popular in Europe and also earned a gold award.

New Music and Labels

In 2000, Nicole started working on her second album, which was going to be called Elektric Blue. In July 2001, she released a song called "I'm Lookin'". This was meant to be the first song from the new album. However, the album was put on hold many times. Nicole decided to leave The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records in 2001, so the album was never released.

In June 2003, Nicole released a song called "Welcome Home" with rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard. Later that year, she signed a new record deal with Roc-A-Fella Records. In November 2004, she released "If I Was Your Girlfriend". This song was planned to be the first single from her next album, Lovechild. The song stayed on the R&B chart for twenty weeks.

Nicole later moved to different record labels, including Def Jam Records and Dame Dash Music Group. Her album Lovechild was supposed to come out in April 2005, but it was never released because the Dame Dash Music Group closed down. During this time, Nicole also appeared in the movie State Property 2.

In July 2005, Nicole and Mike Jones released a remix of "Still Tippin' (It's a Man's World)". This song was on the soundtrack for the movie Hustle & Flow.

Nicole continued to work with Damon Dash. She sang on The Black Keys' rock and hip-hop album called Blakroc in November 2009. She also added background vocals to The Black Keys' album, Brothers, which came out in May 2010.

In June 2010, Nicole released Boss Chick. This album featured music she had recorded years before but had not released. A song called "I Like It" was released from this album. In 2011, Nicole and 7 Aurelius released a collection of unreleased songs called Dream Factory Sessions.

Forming the Duo Lady

In 2012, Nicole Wray formed a new music group called Lady with Terri Walker. They met in 2009. Lady became backup singers for the soul singer Lee Fields during his tour in 2012.

While on tour, Lady recorded their own album, which was released in March 2013. The album had three singles: "Money," "Get Ready," and "Good Lovin'." The album was inspired by soul music from the 1960s and 70s. It was a success and allowed the duo to have their own concert tour.

During their tour, Terri Walker left the group to focus on her solo career. Nicole renamed the group "Lady, the Band" and continued touring with two new backup singers. After signing with Big Crown Records, Nicole started using the stage name Lady Wray.

Solo Albums as Lady Wray

In June 2016, Lady Wray released "Do It Again," the first song from her second album, Queen Alone. In July 2016, she released "Guilty," a song inspired by her brother's personal challenges.

In September 2016, Lady Wray released her second album, Queen Alone, on Big Crown Records. This album also had a classic soul sound, similar to her earlier work with Lady. She continued to promote the album with songs like "Smiling" and "Underneath My Feet."

In 2019, Lady Wray released two new songs: "Piece of Me" and "Come On In." The next year, she released "Storms." In mid-2021, she released "Games People Play." Later that year, she released two more songs: "Under the Sun" and "Through It All." Her third solo album, Piece of Me, was released on January 28, 2022.

Personal Life

In June 2018, Nicole Wray became a mother to her daughter, Melody Bacote. In April 2020, Nicole married musician Dante Bacote.

Discography

• Make It Hot (1998)
• Queen Alone (2016)
• Piece of Me (2022)

Filmography

Films

• State Property 2 (2005)

Television

• The Wayans Bros. (1998)

Tours

See also

In Spanish: Nicole Wray para niños