Ray Viera was born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. During his youth, he listened to and was influenced by soneros such as Héctor Lavoe, Ismael Miranda, Ismael Rivera, Chamaco Ramírez, and Marvin Santiago. These artists shaped his development as a vocalist, leading him to combine traditional Puerto Rican sonero techniques with contemporary styling.
Prior to his solo career, Viera worked for several years as a background singer for established salsa musicians. He released his debut album, Aqui Esta Ray Viera, in 2002. This release featured his own compositions, including the tracks Lo Mio Es Cantar, Borinquen Ya Cubanacan, and Corazon Cerrado.
Viera's recordings span the genres of salsa and latin jazz. Following his debut, he released the album Trombao in 2007. His subsequent releases include the single Si No Tiene Dinga in 2020, the album Pachecolandia in 2022, and the single Sonrie y Vive Contento in 2025.
