Early in his career Ray Luv performed alongside
Tupac Shakur in the group Strictly Dope, a group based in
Santa Rosa, California. In 1991, Ray was signed to the independent label
Young Black Brotha Records by fellow friends
Mac Dre and
Mac Mall. Ray Luv has stated that he got his name from Tupac Shakur. His first extended play
Who Can Be Trusted? was released in 1993 by Young Black Brotha "Get Your Money On" from
Trusted was popular on local radio at the time. That next year, Luv was featured on the
Above The Rim soundtrack.
Forever Hustlin, released in 1995 by
Interscope Records through the Bay Area label Young Black Brotha, was his major label debut; it reached #21 on the
Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. One of Ray Luv's biggest singles "Last Nite", music video was directed by
Tupac Shakur in 1994. He was longtime friends with
Tupac and fellow
Bay Area rappers,
Mac Dre and
Mac Mall. In 1997, Luv contributed to the Bay Area rap compilation,
Best of Da Bay: A Series of Slaps, from Young Black Brotha. Ray Luv is co-owner of the bay area favorite online video series ''Pushin' The Bay TV'', alongside the show's host Emcee T, a rapper who is also from
Santa Rosa,
California ==Discography==