Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Ray Lavender moved to Atlanta GA at a young age in which he was exposed to the striving Atlanta music scene. It wasn't long before he was pursuing musical endeavors. Down the road he became the first act on Akon's Kon Live Records under Geffen Records. In 2006, Akon began promoting Ray Lavender under the name "Earl Ray" in numerous interviews, as he promoted his labels and artists. Later his name changed to L.A Ray, then RayBlack, and finally Ray Lavender.