Mark Anthony Mathews, also known as Billy Ray Valentine, was born in 1967 at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. His early years were spent on the south side of the city, specifically in the Robert Taylor homes, before he relocated to the Auburn Gresham neighborhood in the late 1970s.
As a young adult, Mark found his footing in the entertainment industry in the Roseland community, where he began writing and producing music as an artist in 1986. This marked the beginning of his foray into the world of entertainment.
Fast forward to 1990, Mark made his television debut on the popular show "A Different World," alongside Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy.
In 2009, Mark established Singles Film & Music Entertainment, and over the next decade, he went on to produce full-length feature films, including "Magic" and "Lil Ceasar." His production company continued to thrive, and he created a range of content, including "Roseland," "The Walk of Rufus," "A Masquerade Trapp," and the highly anticipated "United Nations," which is set to be released soon.
Today, Mark Anthony Matthews, aka Billy Ray Valentine, remains a prolific creator of entertainment content, with millions of streams globally and a presence in households across the world.
