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Nicole Monique Wray (born May 2, 1979), also known as Lady Wray, is an American singer-songwriter and music producer.
In June 1998, Wray released her debut single Make It Hot, which peaked in the top-five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The single became certified gold after six weeks of its release. She released her debut album, Make It Hot on The Goldmind Inc. in August 1998. Following the album's release, Wray appeared on Missy Elliott's song "All N My Grill" in 1999, which earned a gold-status certification by the SNEP. In 2001, Wray departed from The Goldmind Inc. after her original second album Elektric Blue was subjected several pushback release dates, ultimately becoming shelved.
In 2003, she signed with Roc-A-Fella Records, becoming the first female R&B act to sign to the label. She released a single titled "If I Was Girlfriend" before the label briefly dissolved. Her album Lovechild was scheduled to be released on the Dame Dash Music Group/Def Jam Records in 2005 but was shelved when the label parted with Def Jam. She formed a music duo with Terri Walker called Lady in 2012. The duo released their self-titled debut album in March 2013. The music act became known briefly as Lady, the Band in 2014.
In 2016, Wray adopted the stage name Lady Wray.
Early life
Nicole Monique Wray was born in Salinas, California, Her older brother Kenny Wray is also a singer and she has younger sister Myrtis Wray. At a young age, Wray relocated to Portsmouth, Virginia.
Career
1997–2002: Make It Hot and split from The Goldmind Inc./Elektra
In 1997, Wray appeared as a featured vocalist on the song "Gettaway" for Missy Elliott's first album Supa Dupa Fly. In June 1998, Wray released her first single "Make It Hot". The single peaked in the top-five on Billboards Hot 100, Following the issue of the album, Wray toured as the opening act and background vocalist for Elliott's concert tour. The album's follow-up singles "I Can't See" and "Eyes Better Not Wander" failed to crossover with the latter only peaking at seventy-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 1999. In July 2001, she released the single "I'm Lookin'" which was planned to be the lead single. Following the single's moderate performance on the R&B chart, the album Elektric Blue was subjected to several postponed dates and was ultimately shelved when Wray decided to leave The Goldmind Inc and Elektra Records in 2001. The song was featured as the lead single of the duo's self-titled album.
2003–2011: Lovechild
In June 2003, Wray released a single "Welcome Home" with rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard. Later that year, Wray secured a recording contract with Roc-A-Fella Records. The single spent twenty weeks on R&B chart but ultimately peaked at fifty-seven. Still maintaining her work relationship with Damon Dash, Wray performed on The Black Keys rock and hip-hop fusion album titled Blakroc, released in November 2009. Wray was then enlisted to add her background vocals on The Black Keys' album, Brothers, which was published in May 2010. In June 2010, Wray released Boss Chick which featured unreleased music from years prior. A single titled "I Like It" was issued from the album. In 2011, Wray and 7 Aurelius released a compilation album Dream Factory Sessions which featured unreleased songs recorded in 2004.
2012–2014: Lady and Truth & Soul Records
In 2012, Wray formed a retro-soul duo called Lady with Terri Walker, a singer she met in 2009. Lady became the background vocalists for American soul singer Lee Fields during his Lee Fields and The Expressions Tour in 2012. In September 2016, Wray issued her second album Queen Alone on Big Crown Records. The album retained a similar retro-soul sound as her earlier project with Lady.
In 2019, Wray released two singles: "Piece of Me" and "Come On In". The following year, she issued another single "Storms". In mid-2021, she released another single "Games People Play". Later that year, she issued two more singles: "Under the Sun" and "Through It All". Her third solo album Piece of Me was released on January 28, 2022. The album peaked at number 7 on the UK R&B Albums chart.
In June 2025, Wray announced her fourth album Cover Girl to be release on September 26, 2025. The album's lead single, "You're Gonna Win", was released on June 23, 2025. In July 2025, she embarked on her Cover Girl EU/UK Tour. On 2 September 2025, she released the single "Cover Girl".
Personal life
In June 2018, Wray gave birth to her daughter Melody Bacote. In April 2020, Wray married musician Dante Bacote.
;Television
- The Wayans Bros. (1998)