Voodoo Ray: The NYC Dance Icon Who Defined Club Culture
In the golden era of New York City nightlife—when house, hip-hop, and street culture collided on dance floors—few figures embodied the spirit of movement, freedom, and expression like Voodoo Ray.
Known offstage as Raymond “Voodoo Ray” Ultarte, and earlier in his career as Boogie Ray or Mr. Voodoo Ray, he was a legendary dancer, choreographer, party promoter, and cultural personality whose presence helped define NYC’s club and dance scene from the 1980s onward.
Who Voodoo Ray Was
Born April 18, 1967, Raymond Ultarte emerged from New York’s vibrant underground dance world at a time when clubs were cultural laboratories. He began dancing under the name Boogie Ray, later adopting Voodoo Ray, a name that reflected the magnetic, almost spiritual energy he brought to the floor.
Voodoo Ray was celebrated for his house and street-style movement, blending rhythm, attitude, and storytelling in a way that made him instantly recognizable. He became a fixture in legendary NYC clubs and was respected across scenes—house, hip-hop, and freestyle alike.
His influence extended beyond the club floor. Voodoo Ray appeared in numerous hip-hop and R&B music videos, contributing his movement and style to visual culture during a defining era. He worked with and appeared alongside artists such as:
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Run-D.M.C.
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Busta Rhymes
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Mariah Carey
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Wyclef Jean
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Jay-Z
These appearances helped bridge underground dance culture with mainstream music and media.
Beyond performance, he was also a connector of people and scenes. Voodoo Ray co-hosted iconic NYC parties such as Toca Tuesdays and Funkbox with DJ Tony Touch, events that became cultural institutions in their own right—spaces where DJs, dancers, artists, and tastemakers met as equals.
Did Voodoo Ray Die?
Yes. Voodoo Ray passed away on October 17, 2017, at approximately 50 years old.
How Did He Die?
The exact cause of death was not publicly disclosed.
Out of respect for his family and loved ones, no official medical details were released to the public. Reports from trusted music and culture outlets confirmed his passing but did not specify a cause. Any claims beyond this remain unverified and speculative.
What is clear is that his passing was sudden enough to deeply shock the global dance and music community.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Voodoo Ray’s death sent waves through hip-hop, house, and club culture. DJs, dancers, and artists across generations shared tributes—remembering him not only for his talent, but for his spirit, generosity, and joy.
He represented an era when:
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Dance floors were sacred spaces
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Movement was language
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Nightlife was community, not content
Voodoo Ray did not just dance to music—he interpreted culture through motion. His legacy lives on in the dancers he inspired, the parties he helped build, and the visual language of hip-hop and house that still echoes through clubs today.
Closing Note
It’s important to distinguish Voodoo Ray the NYC dancer from “Voodoo Ray” (1988), the acid-house track by A Guy Called Gerald—two separate cultural histories that often get mistakenly linked by name alone.
