In his early years, Don-Ray entered into the mayhem of the music industry with an excellent artistic production team named Maxelle. This dynamic duo of Don-Ray and Natacha Labelle (Stach) emerged from the Toronto urban music scene with a unique sound that was later released in HMV stores as a CD and went on to become one of the highest selling independent releases in 2000. This soon led to a nomination for a Canadian Urban Music Award for Best New Electronic Act in 2001. Other productions included a remix for Esthero (Sony), a single for Gerald Boulanger (Nice & Smooth), and engineering for Wade O. Brown (FACTOR),
Don-Ray then set his sights on increasing Canadian representation south of the border by producing “The Blue E.P.” for the independent label Guidance Records (Chicago). Overseas production included a single on the “Jungle Strut” compilation from U’jammn (Italy). He also remixed Fertile Ground’s “Come 2 Me” for the “Sounds of Baltimore” E.P. from Gotsoul Records (Montreal), and "A Message" by Deborah Bond for Asahra's AfterDay remix album. Don-Rays' Upaya Album was listed as one of the Best of 2005 by Freefall Radio FM.