Editor’s be aware: The next article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the writer’s personal. Learn extra opinions on theGrio.
Every now and then, I ship Ray J DMs.
I notice that sounds odd, however since we’re already right here let’s take it a step additional (and make clear) with one other outlandish assertion: I wish to be Ray J’s Alex Haley.
What I imply by that’s that I DM Ray J occasionally as a result of I might like to be the one that writes Ray J’s biography … as informed to Panama Jackson. I ship him messages as a result of I think about that occasionally, he will get bored and scrolls by his messages. To this point, I’ve not obtained a response, however I’m nonetheless hoping that at some point, I’ll get a message again and get 5 minutes of his time to make my pitch. I imagine there’s a actually stable memoir-in-essays dwelling within Willie Norwood Jr. as a result of I imagine that he’s and has been important to Black popular culture for the reason that mid-’90s.
So you possibly can think about simply how excited I used to be when a homie texted me that Ray J was going to be the subsequent visitor on Shannon Sharpe’s headline-making podcast, “Membership Shay Shay.” “Membership Shay Shay” got here in scorching with Katt Williams shortly after we rang within the new 12 months and has been going continuous with Mo’Nique and Amanda Seales. Whereas Katt Williams’ bomb-dropping presence was a contented (and worthwhile) automobile crash, others have typically proven up due to issues happening both in popular culture or their lives. I’ve completely zero concept why Ray J was a visitor on “Membership Shay Shay,” however as with all issues associated to Ray J, we’re all higher for it. As a longtime fan, appreciator and “One Want”-truther, I had some ideas, prayers and issues about his interview on “Membership Shay Shay.”
1. Three hours is completely too lengthy for anyone to take a seat on a sofa and maintain it collectively.
As a big-picture merchandise, I discovered myself impressed at how Ray J was making an attempt to remain shenanigans-free. You may inform he meant to maintain the vitality constructive, shade minimal and household un-embarassed. Right here’s the issue with that: Three hours is a REALLY very long time for anyone to take a seat and discuss themselves. Whenever you add in brown liquor, even the strongest-willed participant will crumble. The final 45 minutes of this episode are a clinic in WTF?!? At one level, Ray really will get up and hides behind a chair. You may see the sluggish decline into “Oh no!” I’ll wager his entire staff was within the background praying for the interview to wrap. However that’s why we love Ray J and why his staff has a job; something is feasible.
2. This doesn’t want an entire bullet, however I’ll make it fast: Shannon nonetheless must work on these interviewing expertise.
Shannon informed Ray J that Brandy was his sister sufficient instances to get you drunk in case you needed to take a shot each time he identified their familial connection. Let’s simply transfer on.
3. That is probably the most I’ve ever heard Ray discuss his gang affiliations.
I’ve been conscious of his gang-relatedness for years. On his “Raydiation” album, he has a track referred to as “Centerview” wherein he talks about his neighborhood in Carson and his set. There have been rumors, and there was the connection to Demise Row by Suge Knight that he talked about within the interview. It was fascinating to see him open up a lot. Regardless of No. 2, Shannon (and folk like Noreaga) actually do get these cats to open up.
4. The best way Ray J froze up when Shannon requested about Donald Sterling and Ray’s properties has me desirous to know the entire story.
We would want Michael Harriot to enter his investigative journalism bag. Ray J was dumbfounded that Shannon knew about it and even had his staff ask his legal professionals if he may discuss it (they mentioned no), and now I wish to know what on this planet Ray J has been into. Once more, because of this I really like Ray J — something is feasible. Do you keep in mind that time Snoop Dogg mentioned he ended up in jail in Los Angeles in 1998 and Ray J was within the cell when he received there? Precisely.
Leisure
5. This must be the primary interview I’ve ever watched the place Neil Armstrong received a shoutout.
In the midst of Ray J making an attempt to speak himself out of speaking about his track, “I Hit It First,” he in some way ended up speaking about house and condos on the moon and who received to the moon first. Then Neil Armstrong received a shoutout, and I promise you that was well worth the time it took to get there.
6. Ray J believing {that a} world with out his intercourse tape with Kim Kardashian may have saved extra individuals in school is the sort of pseudo-science I’m right here for.
As an alternative of politicians grilling Dr. Fauci about COVID, can we get a panel inquiry set as much as discern if school enrollments have declined due to that intercourse tape and the eventual sex-for-social-media panorama Ray J believes he and Kim ushered in? Like, that is the stuff individuals actually care to know that has real-world implications. The actual fact Ray J even has an anthropological idea like that’s the reason I wish to be his Alex Haley. I can’t even think about the stuff he’d say; my nondisclosure settlement could be insane.
7. His ideas about what occurs now after the Diddy-Cassie video are fascinating.
Ray appears actually conflicted about the way to interact with individuals he undoubtedly is aware of have finished some egregious issues. On the similar time, his perception that Diddy deserves 1,000 lashes as penance is … because of this you shouldn’t do three-hour interviews.
8. Ray J’s true gems (if you wish to name them that) are in what he doesn’t say whereas speaking about subjects we anticipated.
Conversations about courting his now-wife (they’re divorcing) and the way they met, the Kim Okay intercourse tape, his relationship with Brandy (which looks as if it wants some mending and is all his fault), the Ray2K saga (in case you wished “Love & Hip Hop Hollywood,” you noticed a few of it), why he doesn’t prefer to have cash, and on and on. Ray opened up after which received coy at factors that alluded to SO way more. It’s completely well worth the watch to me.
9. Ray J mentioned that “One Want” is his most dear asset at this level.
That makes a lot sense as a result of that track continues to be so good. I’d love to put in writing an entire essay about that from Ray J’s vantage level. Ya know, be Alex Haley for him.
Look, I do know all people doesn’t love Ray J like I do and that is sensible. However if you wish to watch shenanigans from a seemingly innocent one that has introduced a lot random pleasure, then this episode is your transfer.
Holla at me, Ray J!
Panama Jackson is a columnist at theGrio and host of the award-winning podcast, “Expensive Tradition” on theGrio Black Podcast Community. He writes very Black issues, drinks very brown liquors, and is fairly fly for a light-weight man. His largest accomplishment to this point coincides along with his Blackest accomplishment to this point in that he obtained a telephone name from Oprah Winfrey after she learn one among his items (largest) however he didn’t reply the telephone as a result of the caller ID mentioned “Unknown” (Blackest).
