Quick Facts
Biography
Ray Tyson, better known by his stage name Ray Luv, is an American rapper from Santa Rosa, California.
Biography
Ray Tyson was born on April 16, 1972, in San Francisco, and was raised off of West Ninth Street in Santa Rosa, California.
Career
Ray Luv performed with Tupac Shakur in the group Strictly Dope, a group based in Santa Rosa, California. Early in his career, Luv was signed to the independent labels Strictly Business and Young Black Brotha. Ray Luv has stated that he got his name from Tupac Shakur, and that his original name was MC Roc (fka Roc-T and simply, Tyson).
His first album Who Can Be Trusted was released in 1993 by Mac Dre's record label Strictly Business. "Get Your Money On" from Trusted was popular on local radio at the time. Forever Hustlin', released in 1995 by Atlantic Records through the Bay Area label Young Black Brotha run by Khayree, was his major label debut; it reached #39 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. That same year, Luv was featured on the soundtrack to the film New Jersey Drive.
In 1997, Luv contributed to the Bay Area rap compilation Khayree Brings You the Blackalation from the Young Black Brotha label.
Ray Luv is co-owner of the online video series Pushin' The Bay TV, alongside the show's host Emcee T, a rapper who has origins in Santa Rosa.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. R&B | U.S. Heatseekers | ||
| 1993 | Who Can Be Trusted? | - | - |
| 1995 | Forever Hustlin' | 39 | 16 |
| 1999 | Coup d'Etat | - | - |
| 2002 | A Prince in Exile | - | - |
| 2006 | Population Control (with Crimeseen) | - | - |
| 2009 | Deathwish | - | - |
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Rap | |||
| 1994 | "Last Night" | 44 | Iz U Grimey' |
| 1995 | "In the Game" | - | |
| 1995 | "Definition of Ah Hustla" | - |
Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Rap | |||
| 1993 | "They Don't Understand" (Mac Dre Feat. Ray Luv) | - | Young Black Brotha |
| 1993 | "Pimp Shit" (Mac Mall Feat. Ray Luv and Mac Dre) | - | Illegal Business? |
| 1994 | "Born Hustlaz" (Ray Luv & Tha Link Crew) | - | West Coast Bad Boyz Vol.1 |
| 1995 | "All About My Fetti" (Young Lay Feat. Mac Mall & Ray Luv) | 50 | New Jersey Drive, Vol. 1, Black 'N Dangerous |
| 1995 | "Bay Area Playaz" (JT The Bigga Figga Feat. Ray Luv, Mac Mall, Master P, The Delinquents, Black C) | - | Dwellin' in tha Labb |
| 1996 | "Pimp Or Die " (Mac Mall Feat. Ray Luv and Young Lay) | - | Untouchable |
| 2004 | "Cinnamon Waves" (Shock G Feat. Ray Luv) | - |