The Reinvention of Nicole Wray
What ever happened to…? is often the intro for any trip down memory lane, and it is ever relevant in the nostalgia of music. Many can think of artists they once loved with hit singles or albums that then faded from the spotlight abruptly or just dwindled out. The answer to what happened is almost always complicated. Sometimes it's a choice from the artist for various reasons stemming from moral dilemmas to family and anything in between. More commonly, artists are pushed out or abandoned by the music industry which is notorious for its mistreatment and brutal operations. Once out of the spotlight, the life of the artist flies under the radar. Some leave for good, returning to “regular” life or opting for career changes, some make waves in the industry behind the scenes, and some continue with music often released independently. For a select few the power of reinvention breaks through and they emerge again but this time they’re in control, true to themselves, and in their element like never before — it’s a revitalized redemption.
Lady Wray, formerly Nicole Wray, is one of those artists. Hailing from Virginia, the singer was scouted and signed by fellow Portsmouth resident turned superstar Missy Elliot. In classic African American tradition, Wray was brought up in the church (this means she can sang) and likened to a young Mary J Blige (which proved to be a spot on comparison as they both have the skill to make you feel soul). At only 17 and still in school, Wray dropped her hit single and her debut self-titled album Make It Hot (Eye Better Not Wander has never left rotation). What follows is an all too familiar industry trajectory, Wray faced a label unsure of what to do with her (code for market) while being buried under higher priorities and new signees. Despite the release of a decent single, Wray decided to step away leaving her second album in the wind. What she took with her may have been more important, with the new skill of songwriting in her bag Wray was able to stay in the mix. The importance of songwriting can’t be overstated, it’s the heart of a song and bridge to the story telling of feelings that drives reactions and connection to music. For Lady Wray, it’s a skill that kept her afloat behind the scenes, and now paired with even more life to write about, it’s also the element that makes her new work truly shine.
In 2004 Wray was ready to be front and center again, she made history as the first R&B artist signed to Roc-A-Fella Records (with the chain to prove it). Unfortunately, a year later the infamous breakdown of the label occurred as rising tensions between Jay-Z and Dame Dash reached a peak. The “break-up” left Wray in an unfortunate spot on Dame Dash Music Group. She squeezed out the organic hit If I Was Your Girlfriend before her third album was placed on hold and never released as the label soon shuttered. As many do when times get tough, Wray returned home and then to Atlanta having to face demoralizing emotions of what happened to a career that started so bright and figure out what was next for her in life. A spark came through Dame Dash who linked her to The Black Keys, where she lent her talents on Blakroc and their album Brothers.
As the Black Keys explored new boundaries of Hip-Hop and Rock, Wray decided to rewind and formed Lady with Terri Walker. In 2013 they released a self titled album that was reminiscent of 1960’s/1970’s soul. The duo soon disbanded but the name stuck and Nicole Wray decided to become Lady Wray to the public. The soul also stuck and Wray crafted her signature soul sound and expanded to various genres, most notably with rock. The next force in her reinvention was a new label, In September 2016 Wray released her solo album Queen Alone under Big Crown Records. The album ushered in Lady Wray to the world with a new sound and story that reflected the growth and strength it took to reach this point in her career. Guilty, a personal and passionately written song about the incarceration of her brother served as a standout single.
“I’m gonna sing loud, and hard, and strong, because I know it’s gonna help somebody in the end, and that’s my legacy”. Wray stated in BET’s 2019 digital show Finding, and she has done just that. Ahead of her new album Wray released a slew of stellar singles (all equally good) that encapsulates raw emotions that come from life experiences. Her retro sound and poetic lyrics are elevated by the gospel in her voice that also carries the range and stand out flare Wray has had since she hit the scene. Her work is true to life, as title track Piece of Me tells a relatable narrative of cutting off draining people and family regardless of how much you love them. No longer a teen R&B starlet or anyones mini, her name change is fitting and Lady Wray has certainly arrived. She is now a mom, wife, and seasoned artist with stories to tell about the industry and her own life. In her music there is an infectious and believable delivery of joy, pain, and realness that drives and defines Soul. The gift in her work is that it truly captures the essence of Soul. It’s a core piece missing from the current rebirth of modern day 70’s Soul in younger artists who are able to reproduce the sound and aesthetic but not the spirit. Lady Wray serves as a master class in reinvention, and she has reentered the spotlight in control, true to herself, and in her element. The proof is in her work. Her debut album Piece of Me is out January 28th and if the singles are any indication of what’s to come, an authentic soulful knockout is headed our way. “I wanna be free, under the sun, life for me has just begun”. Wray sings on Under the Sun which reflects her current state of freedom and peace that can be felt in the music.
