When we look back to the spring and summer of 2005, Usher was still clearly the king for male singers under thirty in the R&B genre. While Trey Songz and Bobby Valentino had made names for themselves with their debut albums and Chris Brown’s name was starting, another singer, Ray J, decided it was time to release his third album, “Raydiation.”
The singer took a two-year hiatus to focus on his acting career and decided to return swinging, forming his label in a joint venture with Sanctuary Records for the album. Heavy-hitting producers Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland, R. Kelly, and Rodney Jerkins were enlisted for production duets. After the buzz single “Quit Actin,” featuring R. Kelly and Shorty Mack, failed to catch on in the club, Ray J changed courses and went with a ballad.
The album’s first single was “One Wish,” produced by Jerkins, who also wrote the song with Ray J and his frequent collaborators Fred Jerkins III and LaShawn Daniels. An emotional ballad about one of the singer’s exes, Ray J, starts the song with heartfelt yearning, establishing his emotional path while pleading with his ex to return. The phrase “If I had one wish” recurs throughout the song to represent his longing to rekindle his relationship with his ex. The wish includes a desire for romantic love and a longing to regain their friendship and connection.
The same team contributed to the album’s next single, “What I Need.” The mid-tempo ballad finds Ray J exploring love and regret alongside second chances and personal growth. The song portrays the internal turmoil felt when someone understands how much their partner matters after previously undervaluing them. Vocally, Ray does over sing this heartfelt plea for redemption and newfound love, but the production from Jerkins manages to make it work.
“Let’s Play House” was the album’s third and final single. On the one hand, considering Ray’s age of 24 at the time, the track may come off as corny to some. However, co-writer Rudy Currence and producer Jerkins save the track. The syllables interact with each other in the same way as nursery rhymes. The melody drifts above the guitar riff as a petal gently skims across the water’s surface.
Sadly, outside of the ballads “Blue High Heels” and “Melody,” the rest of the album is pretty forgettable. Mya, Brandy, and Fat Joe all phone in their guest appearances, while “In the Mood” is laughable. Vocally, Ray J was nowhere near Mario or Bobby Usher. He couldn’t hang with Omarion or Chris Brown when dancing, so he was negated to being a C-list R&B star, which Radiation validated despite strong singles.
Final Grade: C
“Raydiation” is available on all streaming platforms.
