Ray J This Ain't A Game CD

With a production that places an emphasis on smart, lean hooks and sensual atmosphere, this hip-hop mack daddy strikes subtly but effectively on THIS AIN'T A GAME. The consistently interesting sonic textures ("Formal Invite" is based around a synth hook that sounds like water flowing through a faucet) successfully frame Ray J's smoldering, low-key raps.

Instead of railing against social injustices on THIS AIN'T A GAME, Ray prefers to specialize in hot and heavy come-ons, which are delivered with an unhurried confidence that underlines the ladies-man image he so successfully inhabits. For the ladies, there's the sure sensuality of Ray J's approach. For the guys, there's the music itself, an aural seduction of purely aesthetic appeal. Though J insists that THIS AIN'T A GAME, he seems to have the whole game covered.

Explicit Lyrics (Hyper CD)

Personnel includes: Ray J, Lil' Kim, Shorty Mack, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Rodney Jenkins.

Producers include: Rodney Jerkins, The Neptunes, Bryson Evans, Lil' Mo, DJ Clue.

Personnel: Ray J (vocals, keyboards, programming, background vocals); Devante, Joya Owens (vocals); Stephen Lu (guitar); Rodney Jerkins (keyboards); Darrell "Delite" Allamby (vocoder, background vocals); DeVante Swing, Jonathen "John John" Rasboro, Antonio Mobley (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Darrell "Delite" Allamby; Ben Arrindell; Gabe Chiesa; C.J. DeVillar; Jean-Marie Horvat; Ken Ifill; Rodney Jerkins.

Liner Note Author: Ray J.

Recording information: DarkChild Studios, NJ; Hit Factory, Miami, FL; Larrabee Studios, Hollywood, CA; MasterSound Studios, Virginia Beach, VA; Pacifique Studios, N. Hollywood, CA; QDIII Studios, Northridge, CA; Quad Studios, New York, NY; Right Track, New York, NY.

Arrangers: Chris Taylor; Colin Wolfe; Pharrell Williams; Ray J; Chad Hugo.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains regular audio tracks, multimedia computer files and a link to the artist's website with the help of a web browser.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Entertainment Weekly (6/22/01, p.91) - "...Evoking Bobby Brown and OFF THE WALL-era Jacko, sounding surprisingly credible on the hard-knock-life odes 'Out the Ghetto' and 'Wait a Minute'..." - Rating: B+
Entertainment Weekly (6/22/01, p.91) - "...Evoking Bobby Brown and OFF THE WALL-era Jacko, sounding surprisingly credible on the hard-knock-life odes 'Out the Ghetto' and 'Wait a Minute'..." - Rating: B+
Q (8/01, p.140) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...There's nothing tame about Ray-J's R&B. Part Missy Elliot, part Bobby Brown...pneumatic tales of pleasuring sexy ladies and dumping possessive ones, delivering meticulous grooves and non-PC attitude..."
Q (8/01, p.140) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...There's nothing tame about Ray-J's R&B. Part Missy Elliot, part Bobby Brown...pneumatic tales of pleasuring sexy ladies and dumping possessive ones, delivering meticulous grooves and non-PC attitude..."
The Source (7/01, p.198) - "...His fans, comprised mainly of horny teenage girls, will welcome the sexed-up gangsta image he portrays..."
The Source (7/01, p.198) - "...His fans, comprised mainly of horny teenage girls, will welcome the sexed-up gangsta image he portrays..."