Ja Rule

"Jeffery Atkins" redirects here. For the British illusionist, see Jeffery Atkins (illusionist).
Ja Rule

Ja Rule in December 2013 in New York City
Background information
Birth name Jeffrey Atkins
Born (1976-02-29) February 29, 1976
Queens, New York, U.S.
Origin Hollis, Queens, New York, U.S.[1]
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)
Years active 1993–present
Labels Mpire Music Group, Fontana Distribution (current)
Def Jam (Former)
Murder Inc. (Current)
Associated acts

Jeffrey Atkins (born February 29, 1976),[2] better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor from Queens, New York.

Born in Hollis, Queens, he debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single "Holla Holla". From 1999 to 2005, Ja Rule had several hits that made the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, including "Between Me and You" with Christina Milian, "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" and Ain't It Funny with Jennifer Lopez, which both topped the US Billboard Hot 100, the Grammy-nominated #1 hit, "Always on Time" with Ashanti, "Mesmerize" also with Ashanti, and "Wonderful" with R. Kelly and Ashanti. During the 2000s, Ja Rule was signed to The Inc. Records, which was formerly known as Murder Inc. and was led by Irv Gotti. Due to his hits with his collaborators, Ja Rule has earned four Grammy nominations, and has earned six top-ten albums, two of which Rule 3:36 (2000) and Pain Is Love (2001), topped the US Billboard 200. He is also known for some well-publicized feuds with other rappers, in particular 50 Cent and Eminem.

Life and music career

Early life

Atkins was born in the Queens borough of New York City.[2] He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness by his mother, health care worker Debra Atkins,[3] and grandparents. When Atkins was five, his mother gave birth to a stillborn baby named Kristen, leaving him as an only child. (He talks about Kristen in the song "Daddy's Little Baby.") Atkins attended Public School 134 in Hollis, a school he has described as having a predominantly black student body. He said he got into many fights at the school because of his small size, so his mother transferred him to Middle School 172 in Glen Oaks, which he described as a "white school".[4] Atkins earned his GED in February 2012.[5]

Career beginnings

Atkins began his rap career in 1993 with his hip hop group Cash Money Click. He told Curtis Waller of MTV News that his stage name "Ja Rule" came from a friend who addressed him by that name; other friends called him "Ja".[6] In 1995, he made his first appearance on Mic Geronimo's "Time to Build", which featured Jay-Z and DMX, who were also in their early stages of their careers. In 1998 he had signed with Irv Gotti's The Inc. Records (at the time named Murder Inc. Records) which was an imprint label under Def Jam, and along with Amil, he was featured on Jay-Z's hit single "Can I Get A...", for which Ja Rule wrote the hook. It was going to be a Ja Rule solo song, until Jay-Z heard the track. Allowing Ja to attend the successful Hard Knock Life Tour alongside Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, Redman, & DJ Clue?.

Venni Vetti Vecci (1999)

Ja Rule's debut album Venni Vetti Vecci was released in 1999, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard 200 with 184,000 copies sold in its first week. It eventually reached platinum status in the US due to the popularity of the hit single, "Holla Holla", which reached #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[7][8]

Rule 3:36 (2000)

Ja Rule and Vita in 2001

Ja Rule returned in 2000 with his new single "Between Me and You", which featured Christina Milian. "Between Me and You" would end up getting Top 40 airplay and reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single "Put It on Me" featuring Vita and Lil' Mo reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7] The music video for "Put It on Me" also topped the MTV Video Countdown for a week.

The second album, Rule 3:36, was released on October 10, 2000. It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 with 276,000 copies in its first week, making it Ja Rule's first number one album. The album would be certified triple platinum by the RIAA.[8]

Pain Is Love (2001)

Ja Rule released his third studio album, Pain Is Love on October 2, 2001. It is considered to be Ja Rule's most commercially successful album of his career. The album spawned three top 10 singles, two of them reaching number 1. The first single, "Livin' It Up", featuring Case, reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single "Always on Time", which featured Ashanti, ended up being Ja Rule's first number 1 hit to top the Billboard Hot 100.[7] The remix of Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real" which features Ja Rule, also topped the Billboard Hot 100. Like its predecessor, Pain Is Love topped the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 361,000 copies and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.[8] The album would also receive a Grammy nomination in 2002 for Best Rap Album. By 2007, 3.6 million copies of Pain Is Love had been sold.[9]

The Last Temptation (2002)

The Last Temptation, Ja Rule's fourth album, was released on November 19, 2002. It featured two hit singles; "Thug Lovin'" (peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100), and "Mesmerize" another duet with Ashanti (peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100).[7] The Last Temptation debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 237,000 copies and was certified Platinum by the RIAA in December 2002.[8][10]

Blood in My Eye (2003)

Ja Rule's fifth album Blood in My Eye, was released on November 4, 2003 under the "Murder Inc." label, which renamed itself "The Inc." several days after the album release. The album was originally planned to be a mixtape, but Murder Inc. had ordered Ja Rule to release an album each year based on the requirements of his contract. The album was described as a "hate" album, directed at various rappers including 50 Cent, G-Unit, Eminem, Dr. Dre and others. It spawned one hit single, "Clap Back" which reached number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and had won him a Source Award for "Fat Tape" song of the year. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling 139,000 copies in its first week of release. It has since sold over 468,000 copies in the U.S.[10] In October 2003, Ja Rule met with Minister Louis Farrakhan, who wanted to intervene and prevent escalating violence in the feud between Ja Rule and 50 Cent.[11]

R.U.L.E. (2004)

Ja Rule's sixth studio album R.U.L.E. was released in November 2004 debuting at number 7 selling 166,000 copies in its first week of release. Its lead single "Wonderful" featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was followed by the street anthem "New York" featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss which charted at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. The third single was the love song "Caught Up" featuring Lloyd which had failed to make an impact on the Billboard Hot 100. The RIAA certified R.U.L.E. Gold on January 14, 2005,[8] and by October 2007, the album had sold 658,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[9]

Hiatus, departure from Def Jam, decline of The Inc. Records (2005–09)

Ja Rule performing in Fort Hood, Texas, May 13, 2005

On December 6, 2005, The Inc. released Exodus, a greatest hits album whose only new tracks were the song "Me" and intro and outro tracks. Exodus was the last album on Ja Rule's contract with The Inc. After the release of this compilation, Ja Rule took a hiatus from recording music.[2]

Meanwhile, in 2005, The Inc. Records had come under investigation because of drug trades by Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, who was associated with Irv Gotti, after the label's offices were raided by FBI agents and NYPD officers a couple years earlier.[12][13] This led to Def Jam Recordings refusing to renew The Inc.'s contract. From 2005 to 2006, Gotti searched for other labels, until finally reaching a deal with Universal Records (part of the same company as Def Jam). However a few years later it was announced by Gotti that The Inc. had left Universal Records due to business issues and lack of funds secured for musical projects (caused by the FBI persuading Universal not to do business with Gotti).[14]

Departure from The Inc. Records, The Mirror and Mpire Music Group (2009)

Ja Rule arrives at the DCMA Collective flagship store opening on March 14, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

After leaving Murder Inc. Records in 2009, Ja Rule founded his own independent label, Mpire Music Group and recruited new artists while still maintaining friendship with Irv Gotti. The Mirror was to be Ja Rule's seventh album and set for a 2007 release date. However, due to poor reception to singles (partly believed to be due to his beef with 50 Cent), it was pushed back. Tracks from the album leaked online, leading Ja Rule to re-record the album. He eventually decided to release it as a free download in 2009.

Pain Is Love 2 and prison (2011–12)

In February 2011, it was announced that Ja Rule had started working on another album called Pain Is Love 2, naming it after the original 2001 triple platinum album (Pain Is Love). It was planned to have production from the producers on the original Pain Is Love album in order to "recreate magic". Most of the production would be done by 7 Aurelius (who co-produced "Down Ass Bitch"), while Irv Gotti was the executive producer of the album. He had planned on releasing it June 7, although later decided to delay the release date in order to allow more time to perfect the "level and quality of the records" and to avoid "doing an injustice to [his] fans".[15][16][17]

Pain Is Love 2 was then slated for an October 11, 2011 release, but was pushed back to February 28, 2012.[18] To make up for the delay, Ja Rule released a new track called "Falling to Pieces" which was produced by 7 Aurelius. The song samples The Script's "Breakeven".[19][20] On October 2, 2011, another track called "Spun a Web" was released, which was also produced by 7 Aurelius and samples Coldplay's "Trouble". The following day a teaser music video premiered on YouTube and the official music video was released on October 11.[21] Pain Is Love 2 was finally released on February 28, 2012, but by that time Ja Rule was serving a two-year sentence in prison for gun possession and tax evasion.

Also at the time Ja Rule was working on Renaissance Project which was to be a follow up album to Pain Is Love 2, however the album would eventually get scrapped. Recording sessions for the album took place primarily at Mpire Studios in NYC Studio during 2008 to 2011. Production was handled by Rule and several others, including Benzino, 7 Aurelius and Buck 3000. Most of the tracks that were originally meant for the Renaissance Project were transferred over to Pain Is Love 2.

Release from prison, book, reality show, Murder Inc. drama series and final album (2013–present)

Atkins was set to be released from prison on July 28, 2013, but was released early on May 7.[22] He was featured on the remix of the track "She Tried" which features Lil Wayne and Birdman, which appeared on the N.O.R.E album Student of the Game. On September 18, 2013, Ja Rule released a track titled "Fresh Out Da Pen". The track had first premiered on Hot 97.[23][24] A few days later he released "Everything". Both tracks were produced by Visionary producers, Reefa and Myles William. On September 27, 2013, both of those tracks were released on iTunes for digital download.[25][26] In September 2013, it was confirmed that Ja Rule and Irv Gotti have relaunched Murder Inc Records.[27] In 2014, Ja Rule had released a memoir titled Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming a Man, in which he reflected on his past struggles with a difficult adolescence in New York City and everything that followed, from breakout success and destructive rivalries to fatherhood and a two-year prison sentence.[28] In July 2014, Ja Rule announced his eighth studio album which was eventually pushed back for a 2016 release.[29][30][31] Also in 2014, it was announced by MTV that Ja Rule alongside his family will star in the upcoming reality show Follow the Rules which was co-produced by Queen Latifah. A sneak peek trailer of the show surfaced on the internet in September 2014 and the show premiered on October 26, 2015.[32][33] In October 2015, it was also announced by Ja Rule that himself and Irv Gotti have partnered with Paramount Pictures to work on a TV drama series based on the history of Murder Inc., it is set to premiere in 2016.[34][35][36] In February 2016, Ja Rule announced on his Twitter account that the title of his upcoming eighth studio album would beCoup De Grâce.[37][38] He had also announced that it would be his last album.[39]

Acting career

Aside from rapping, Ja Rule has established a career as an actor. His first film was a buddy movie with Pras, Turn It Up; he appeared in a minor role in The Fast and the Furious. he appeared in several movies including Back in the Day with Ving Rhames and Pam Grier and Half Past Dead as Steven Seagal's co-star. He also starred in the movies The Cookout with Queen Latifah and Assault on Precinct 13. In 2013, he starred in I'm in Love with a Church Girl.

Other ventures

In 2004, Ja Rule teamed up with Irv Gotti launching an urban clothing line called ErvinGeoffrey.[40] In 2006, Ja Rule launched a liquor company called The Mojito.[41][42] In May 2015, Ja Rule partnered with Billy McFarland, the CEO of Magnises, a credit card service company to become the creative head and spokesman of that company[43] In August 2015, Ja Rule collaborated with footwear businessman Steve Madden on a new line of Men's sneakers called Maven x Madden.[44] The collection of shoes have been made available for retail purchase as of Fall 2015.[45]

Philanthropy

In 2004, Ja Rule founded the L.I.F.E. Foundation, a charitable organization that specializes in mentoring at-risk youth who reside in Jamaica, Queens, New York, helping them exceed academically, improve social behaviour and escape street gang violence.[46][47]

Personal life

Jaid Barrymore and Ja Rule in February 2005.

Family

In April 2001, Ja Rule married Aisha Murray.[48][49][50] The couple have three children; Brittany (born 2000), Jeffrey Jr. (born 2004), and Jordan (born 2005).[51][52]

Religion

Ja Rule is a Christian. Ja Rule became a Christian in 2013 when he was promoting the movie I'm in Love with a Church Girl. Ja Rule has spoken about his faith saying, "I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. I don't want people to misconstrue what I'm doing here. I'm taking baby steps, and I want to get closer to God. I feel it's something you should do in life."[53]

Legal issues

In 2003, he allegedly punched a man in Toronto, who later sued. The issue was settled out of court.[54]

In 2004, police investigated whether a feud involving The Inc. led to a fatal shooting outside a nightclub party hosted by Ja Rule and Leon Richardson where they thought he shot Proof of D12.[55][56]

On July 1, 2004, Ja Rule was arrested with Don Rhys for driving with a suspended license and possessing marijuana.[57]

In July 2007, Ja Rule was arrested for gun and drug possession charges along with Lil Wayne, and Don Rhys who served eight months in prison during 2010 for attempted possession of a weapon stemming from the arrest.[58][59][60] New York Supreme Court judge Richard Carruthers rejected Ja Rule's argument that the gun was illegally obtained evidence.[61][62] On December 13, 2010, Ja Rule received a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to attempted possession of a weapon after the aforementioned 2007 concert. On March 8, 2011, Ja Rule's surrender date for his two-year prison sentence was set for June 8.[63] His publicist said that Ja Rule will turn himself in to authorities. He went to Rikers Island first, then he was sent to a state facility in Upstate New York.[64]

In July 2011, Ja Rule received an additional 28-month prison sentence for tax evasion, to run concurrently with his state term, failing to pay taxes on more than $3 million in earnings between 2004–2006.[65] He was released from state prison on February 21, 2013, but was immediately taken into federal custody for the tax case, for which he had less than six months remaining on his sentence.[66] Ja Rule was held in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center and was set to be released on July 28, 2013. Ja Rule was released from prison early on May 7, 2013.[22][67]

Feuds

G-Unit

Before signing with Interscope Records, rapper 50 Cent engaged in a well-publicized feud with Ja Rule and his label Murder Inc. Records. 50 Cent claimed that the feud began in 1999 after Ja Rule spotted him with a man who robbed him of his jewelry and also because of Ja Rule "trying to be Tupac".[68] However, Ja Rule claimed the conflict stemmed from a video shoot in Queens because 50 Cent did not like Ja Rule "getting so much love" from the neighborhood.[69] A confrontation occurred in a New York studio where rapper Black Child, a Murder Inc. artist, stabbed 50 Cent, which resulted in him having three stitches.[4]

In his book, 50 Cent details how Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff tried to resolve the conflict between him and Ja Rule. Allegedly, McGriff asked 50 Cent to leave them alone because of the money involved. 50 Cent insinuated the conflict had something to do with the shooting where he was ambushed and shot.

Since then, Black Child and other Inc rappers such as Cadillac Tah publicly insulted 50 Cent with "There's a Snitch in the Club" by Cadillac Tah, and "You the Wanksta" by Black Child. In both songs, Black Child details violent actions directed toward 50 Cent.[4] The exchange of insult tracks released from both parties culminated in Ja Rule's Blood in My Eye, which was an album that returned additional insults to 50 Cent. Because of the ongoing feud between the two, 50 Cent's labelmates Eminem, Dr. Dre, Obie Trice, D12, DMX, and Busta Rhymes also became involved and released tracks which insulted Ja Rule.[4]

Ja Rule later released R.U.L.E. with the successful single "New York" featuring Jadakiss and Fat Joe in which Ja Rule took subliminal shots at 50 Cent. This single prompted 50 Cent to enter a feud with the two featured artists (see article on "Piggy Bank" for details).

Although it seemed that the feud was over, Ja Rule returned with a track entitled "21 Gunz".[70] In response, Lloyd Banks and 50 Cent released the track "Return of Ja Fool" on Lloyd Banks' mixtape Mo Money in the Bank Pt. 4, Gang Green Season Starts Now.[70] 50 Cent claimed in 2010 that Ja Rule's beef with him and Shady/Aftermath ruined Ja's career saying, "We just ripped the nigga apart and he hasn't and can't come back from it."

In an interview with MTV, Ja Rule stated that his album, The Mirror, would not be continuing any past feuds that he has engaged in. He said:

There was a lot of things I wanted to say, and I didn't want there to be any bitter records on the album. Because I'm not bitter about anything that happened [in the past few years].[71]

In May 2011, it was confirmed that both Ja Rule and 50 Cent ended the feud. Ja Rule said, "I'm cool. We ain't beefing no more. We'll never collaborate. That's just what it is. You don't have to be at war with somebody, but it's also kind of like U.S. and another country that they may not get along with. We don't gotta go to war, but we're not friends either. But we can coincide inside of a world. He's doing him, and he's not thinking about me, and I'm doing me and I'm not thinking about him."

In September 2013, in an interview with Angie Martinez on The Angie Martinez show on HOT 97, both Ja Rule and Murder INC CEO/ Producer Irv Gotti acknowledged 50 Cent not only took a toll on Ja Rule's prominence, but along with the Federal Indictment, damaged Murder Inc as a music label. Both Ja Rule and Irv Gotti explained an experience of when they both first heard 50 Cent's single, In Da Club, on the radio and stated the record was "so dope," they had a problem. During the interview, the duo also explained a few experiences surrounding the rap feud including being blackballed from various award shows where the feuding rapper would perform. Both rappers went on to say 50 Cent was a hustler and liked his entrepreneurial mentality and they have no problems with him 10 years on. Ja Rule plans to write a book surrounding the whole experience. [72]

On August 7, 2015, the feud between Ja Rule and 50 Cent reignited when Ja gave a feedback to a social follower via Twitter over a similar feud between Meek Mill and Drake. Enraged, 50 later responded back with photos and comments via Instagram, only siding with Drake.[73]

Shady/Aftermath

The conflict started after 50 Cent signed to Shady Records and Aftermath in 2002. Ja Rule and Irv Gotti state that they had a problem with Eminem and Dr. Dre for signing someone they had beef with. Ja Rule threatens, if 50 Cent would release any diss tracks towards Murder Inc. he would take action against Eminem and Dr. Dre.[74]

The conflict escalated when Ja Rule released "Loose Change" attacking 50 Cent, Eminem and Dr. Dre. The song also includes lyrics that insulted Eminem's family (most notably his then 7-year-old daughter Hailie Jade) and acquaintances.[74] As reaction released the diss track "Hailie's Revenge (Doe Rae Mi)" by Eminem, D12 and Obie Trice. It also features vocals of Eminem's daughter.[75] Afterwards diss tracks exchanged between Aftermath/Shady Records and Murder Inc.

Busta Rhymes joined the conflict when he was featured on the track "Hail Mary 2003" with Eminem and 50 Cent.[76] The song, which is a remake of Tupac Shakur's song "Hail Mary", was done partially as a response to Ja Rule's remake of Tupac's song, "Pain" (re-titled "So Much Pain"). The rappers felt Ja Rule could not compare to Tupac, and so they made the track, mocking him for trying to "imitate" the deceased rap icon.[77] Eminem prevented Ja Rule from appearing on any of the "new" Tupac songs he produced, including those on Loyal to the Game.[78]

Foxy Brown

In October 2002, rapper Foxy Brown dismissed reports of recording a track with rivals Nas and Ja Rule that was "potentially" a diss to Jay-Z.[79] During a Thanksgiving week in 2002, while on Doug Banks In the Morning, Ja Rule stated that he "[couldn't] stand Foxy Brown."[80][81] Brown reportedly heard Ja Rule's comments via a radio while she was helping her mother clean her house.[81] Going against her manager's wishes, during her own interview with Doug Banks, Brown informed Banks that she was "flabbergasted" by Rule's comments and criticized the hosts for setting her up by throwing her name in a manner like: "What do you think of Foxy?"[81] Brown further solidified that she was angry at Rule's response, primarily because she never met him.[81]

The incident provoked Brown to record the unreleased, "Get Off Me".[80][82] In the record, Brown targeted Ja Rule and Eve and lashed homophobic remarks by denouncing Rule as "a faggot ass rap dude".[80][82] In 2005, Ja Rule and his two bodyguards were initial suspects in the killing of Willie "Willie Bang Bang" Clark, whom authorities linked as a "revenge" that stemmed back to a robbery case involving Foxy Brown's brother.[83] In 2007, in the midst of Foxy Brown's indictment for assaulting a prisoner, radio hosts asked Ja Rule what his words would be toward Brown if he saw her in jail.[84] Rule responded: "Aww man. Hold ya head ma, you'll be alright. Shit."[84]

Lil' Mo

In January 2003, while co-hosting 106 & Park: Prime, singer Lil' Mo sent a shout-out to 50 Cent, just seconds after she premiered a Ja Rule video.[85] The incident sparked an outrage with Ja Rule and the Murda Inc. clique.[85] Mo had told the press she assumed BET was going to edit out the shout, furthermore she didn't think the gesture would cause such an uproar.[85] In response, Ja Rule released the diss track "Loose Change," which targeted Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Chris Lighty and Lil' Mo.[80][85] Rule rechristened Mo as a "bitch", and credited himself as the reason why she had any hits.[86] Mo refused to fire back, stating that she "had better things to do."[4] However, in May 2003, Mo released a freestyle diss to Ja Rule, where she rapped, "Used to be my homie, used to be my ace, now I can't stand you, yeah I wanna slap the taste out your mouth."[87]

In April 2003, additional controversy surrounding lack of recognition and payment for Lil' Mo's contributions on records "I Cry" and "Put It on Me" was brought to attention.[88] Mo told MTV News, "Those two records ["I Cry", "Put It on Me"] ruled 2001. The whole world knows that [...] If I speak the truth, I can't apologize. I helped that brother sell 3 million records, and I don’t have a plaque [for Rule 3:36]."[88] Mo went on to contrast the situation with Jay-Z, where the Brooklyn-native rapper gave Mo recognition; a plaque, a thank you card and a bottle of Cris for her work on "Parking Lot Pimpin'".[88] In 2005, Lil' Mo filed a lawsuit against Ja Rule, Murda Inc. and Def Jam Records for over $15 million.[89] In 2010, the two reconciled.[90] Lil' Mo stated that she ended the dispute due to the declination of Ja Rule's career and noted that "life is too short [...] You just never know what people are going through."[90] In 2011, the two reunited and recorded a track together titled, "U & Me".[91][92]

DMX

DMX and Jay-Z guest-starred on the single "It's Murda" from Ja Rule's first album. Ja Rule had previously feuded with Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent; all of which had been resolved or faded from significance. DMX accused Ja Rule of copying DMX's signature "gruff style". DMX said that he wanted the feud to end when he was released from jail in 2005: "Gotti came to me in jail and said I want to make peace with you and him. I was like, 'Alright Gotti, lets do it."[93] DMX and Ja Rule finally ended their feud at VH1's 2009 Hip Hop Honors.[94]

Discography

Main article: Ja Rule discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Mixtape

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated work Award Result
2001 Put It on Me Source Hip-Hop Music Award - Single of the Year Won
Put It on Me MTV Video Music Awards - Best Rap Video Nominated
2002 I'm Real (Murder Remix) MTV Video Music Awards - Best Hip-Hop Video Won
Always on Time MTV Video Music Awards - Best Hip-Hop Video Nominated
Ja Rule American Music Award - Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Nominated
Put It on Me Grammy Awards - Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated
Pain Is Love Grammy Awards - Best Rap Album Nominated
Livin' It Up Grammy Awards - Best Rap/Song Collaboration Nominated
Ja Rule World Music Awards - World's Best-Selling Rap Artist Won
Ja Rule BET Awards - Best Male Hip-Hop Artist Artist Won
Ja Rule GQ Men of the Year Award - Musician of the Year Won
Ja Rule Teen Choice Awards - Male Artist of the Year Won
Ja Rule NAACP Image Awards - for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Won
Pain Is Love Soul Train Music Award - Best Rap/Soul or Rap Album of the Year Nominated
2003 Thug Lovin' Source Award - R&B/Rap Collaboration of the Year Won
Ja Rule American Music Award nomination for Favorite Hip-Hop/R&B Male Artist Nominated
Always on Time Grammy Awards nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominated
2004 Clap Back Source Award - Phat Tape Song of the Year Won
2009 Fly MTV Video Music Brasil - Hit do Ano (Song of the Year) Nominated

Filmography

Film and television
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Turn It Up David 'Gage' Williams Alongside Jason Statham and Pras.
2001 The Fast and the Furious Edwin Plays a supporting role as a street racer.
2001 MTV Cribs Himself Special guest appearance.
2002–04 MadTV Himself, Run Ph.D 2 Episodes
2002 Half Past Dead Nicolas 'Nick' Frazier Though a sequel was made, Ja Rule did not star in it.
2003 Crime Partners Hitman
2003 Pauly Shore Is Dead Himself
2003 Scary Movie 3 Agent Thompson Minor role
2004 The Cookout Bling Bling/Percival Assmackey
2004 Shall We Dance Hip Hop bar performer
2005 Back in the Day Reggie Alongside Ving Rhames
2005 Assault on Precinct 13 Smiley Supporting role
2006 South Beach Donnie Fox T.V. Series "The S.B."(episode 7)
2006 Furnace Terrence Dufresne
2008 Ja Rule:2005 Himself A concert from his 2005 European tour, plus bonus tracks and interviews.
2009 Just Another Day Himself
2009 Don't Fade Away Foster
2009 Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff Himself[95]
2010 Wrong Side of Town Razor Alongside wrestlers; Batista & Rob Van Dam
2011 LA Ink Himself Special guest appearance.
2011 The Cookout 2 Bling Bling Sequel to The Cookout
2013 Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn Willie Davis Post-production
2013 I'm in Love with a Church Girl Miles Montego His real son plays the younger version of himself, Miles.
2015 Follow the Rules Himself A reality show starring alongside his family.
2015 Girl Code Himself Special guest appearance.
2015 First Take Himself Special guest appearance.
2015 Broke Ass Game Show[96] Himself Special guest appearance.
2016 Ridiculousness Himself Special guest appearance.

References

  1. ↑ Ja Rule: The Road To Redemption Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  2. 1 2 3 Birchmeier, Jason (2007). "AllMusic Biography". allmusic. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  3. ↑ Hughes, Zondra (April 2002). Ja Rule: rap star rules hearts & charts – Jeffrey Atkins. Ebony. p. 140.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Shaheem, Reid (25 April 2003). "DJ Tells 50 Cent, Ja Rule: One More Dis Record, Then Quit It". MTV. Archived from the original on May 1, 2003. Retrieved 25 July 2007.
  5. ↑ "Ja Rule Earns High School Diploma Behind Bars, Says Prison is "Amazing" [Video]". The Inquisitr News. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Waller, Curtis (2001-02-17). "Ja Rule: Rules of the Game". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 20, 2001. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Ja Rule: Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gold & Platinum: Ja Rule". RIAA. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  9. 1 2 Mitchell, Gail (October 7, 2007). "Rapper Ja Rule releasing first album in 3 years". Reuters. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  10. 1 2 "Ja Rule – Charts & Awards (Billboard Albums)". allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  11. ↑ "Farrakhan warns hip-hop artists: Clap-back will only lead to coffins". The Final Call. 2003-11-04. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  12. ↑ Rashbaum, William K.; Sweeney, Matthew (2005-12-03). "Hip-Hop Producers Get Acquittal, Then Hugs, From Jurors". The New York Times.
  13. ↑ "Report: Feds Raid Murder Inc. In Irv Gotti Probe".
  14. ↑ http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "Ja Rule Admits Losing To 50 Cent".
  15. ↑ "Ja Rule Working On 'Pain Is Love Pt. 2′ « GetWrite Gossip | New Hip Hop Music, Hip Hop News, Sports, Entertainment Blog". Getwritegossip.com. 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  16. ↑ "Ja Rule working on "Pain is Love 2"". Hip-hopvibe.com. 2011-02-09. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  17. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (2011-12-09). "Ja Rule Reveals Tracklist For "Pain Is Love 2," Due In 2012 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  18. ↑ "Pil 2: Ja Rule: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  19. ↑ "Ja Rule - "Falling 2 Pieces" | New Music". SoulCulture. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  20. ↑ » by September 23, 2011, 14:24pm (2011-09-23). "Ja Rule Releases "Falling To Pieces" [Audio". Hip-Hop Wired. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  21. ↑ Archived October 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  22. 1 2 "JA RULE RELEASED From Prison". tmz.com. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  23. ↑ HipHopDX (18 September 2013). "Ja Rule". HipHopDX. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  24. ↑ Matthew, Jacobs (September 19, 2013). "Ja Rule Is 'Fresh Out Da Pen'". Huffington Post.
  25. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Everything / Fresh Out da Pen - Single by Ja Rule". iTunes. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  26. ↑ Wallace, Anthony. "New Music: JA RULE – 'EerrThang' & 'Fresh Out The Pen' itunes download - RuleYork". New Music: JA RULE – ‘EerrThang’ & ‘Fresh Out The Pen’ itunes download - RuleYork. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  27. ↑ "Irv Gotti To Relaunch Murder Inc.". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  28. ↑ Grossman, Samantha (July 8, 2014). "Ja Rule Book: Surprising Facts From the Rapper's Memoir, Unruly". TIME.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  29. ↑ HipHopDX (7 July 2014). "Ja Rule Announces "Genius Loves Company" Album". HipHopDX. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  30. ↑ "Ja Rule Announces New Album, Genius Loves Company". BET.com. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  31. ↑ "Ja Rule on His NFL Picks, Playing Fantasy & Why He Doesn't Think Brady's Going Back to the Super Bowl".
  32. ↑ "Ja Rule Talks New Music, a Fast & Furious Return, and T.I.'s Reality TV Advice — Exclusive - Wetpaint, Inc.". 22 April 2015.
  33. ↑ "Ja Rule and 50 Cent Reignite Beef".
  34. ↑ Obenson, Tambay A. (27 October 2015). "Ja Rule Says He & Irv Gotti Have Partnered Up With Paramount for a Murder Inc Drama Series".
  35. ↑ "Exclusive! Ja Rule Says Murder Inc Drama Series Is Coming in 2016".
  36. ↑ "Ja Rule Has A "Murder Inc." Drama Series In The Works".
  37. ↑ http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "Ja Rule Says His Next Album Will Be His Last; Announces New Title".
  38. ↑ "Ja Rule Changes The Title Of His Final Album". 22 February 2016.
  39. ↑ "Ja Rule Announces Final Album 'Coup De Grace'".
  40. ↑ "ErvinGeoffrey by Irv Gotti - Men's Clothing - Buy Online".
  41. ↑ "Ja Rule - Exodus Audio Stream".
  42. ↑ VERSE (22 September 2009). "JA RULE STILL FILTHY RICH!".
  43. ↑ "the reawakening of ja rule".
  44. ↑ "Ja Rule lands deal with Steve Madden - Rolling Out". 18 August 2015.
  45. ↑ Butler-Young, Sheena (14 September 2015). "Steve Madden And Ja Rule Open Up Exclusively About Their Shoe Line".
  46. ↑ "Nonprofit (Jamaica): Ja Rule's L.I.F.E. Camp Inc".
  47. ↑ Mystagic, Estella. "Ja Rule Returns To Old Neighbor'hood".
  48. ↑ Hughes, Zondra (April 2002). Ja Rule: rap star rules hearts & charts – Jeffrey Atkins. Ebony. p. 142.
  49. ↑ Borow, Zev. "33 Things You Should Know About Ja Rule". Blender. August 2002. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  50. ↑ "Life with Rapper Ja Rule, Wife, and Kids". BlackCelebrityKids. 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  51. ↑ "Rapper Ja Rule's Wife Aisha Murray (Photos - Pictures)". BallerWives.com. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  52. ↑ "Ja Rule". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  53. ↑ "Ja Rule's 'Unruly' path from jail to Christianity". CNN.
  54. ↑ "Ja Rule apologizes for punching the man". USA Today. 2005-03-07. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  55. ↑ "Police probing nightclub shooting". USA Today. 2004-12-29. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  56. ↑ Weiss, Murray (2005-07-18). "Ja Rule Target of Shooting Investigation". New York Post. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  57. ↑ Tavernise, Sabrina (2004-07-02). "Rapper and Tap Dancer Arrested". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  58. ↑ Shepherd, Julianne (July 23, 2007). "Lil Wayne, Ja Rule Arrested After NY Performance". Vibe. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008.
  59. ↑ Brunswick, Deborah (July 23, 2007). "2 hip-hop stars arrested in New York after concert". CNN. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  60. ↑ Grace, Melissa (December 13, 2010). "Rapper Ja Rule gets two year jail sentence after pleading guilty to weapon possession". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  61. ↑ "Judge: Gun Stays as Evidence in Ja Rule's NYC Case". ABCNews.com. Associated Press. January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  62. ↑ Grace, Melissa (January 20, 2010). "Judge tosses rapper Ja Rule's 'weed' plea in gun case". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  63. ↑ "Ja Rule to go to prison in June in NYC gun case - Entertainment - Music - TODAY.com". Today.msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  64. ↑ "Rapper Ja Rule to turn himself in for prison sentence Wednesday". CNN.com. June 8, 2011. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  65. ↑ Bark, Theo (19 July 2011). "Ja Rule Receives Additional Jail Time for Tax Evasion". Theboombox.com/. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  66. ↑ HipHopDX (21 February 2013). "Ja Rule To Be Released From Prison In Gun Case". HipHopDX. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  67. ↑ "BREAKING NEWS: JA RULE HAS BEEN RELEASED!". ruleyork.com. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  68. ↑ http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "50 Cent's 10 Most Infamous Beefs".
  69. ↑ MTV News (3 November 2003). "Ja Rule on 50 Cent, God and Hip-Hop". MTV. Retrieved 29 July 2007.
  70. 1 2 "Hip-Hop Rumors: Kay Slay Doll, Ja Rule, Happy 1,000Th To Illseed!". Allhiphop. April 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-05-04. Retrieved 25 July 2007.
  71. ↑ Rodriguez, Jayson (12 July 2007). "Ja Rule Leaves Bitterness — and 50 Cent Beef — Behind on New Album". MTV. Archived from the original on July 15, 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
  72. ↑ "Ja Rule and 50 Cent Squash Beef". Inquisitr.com. 2011-05-30. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  73. ↑ "50 Cent & Ja Rule Beef Reignited by Drake & Meek Mill Feud".
  74. 1 2 "Ja Rule - Eminem's Enemies". Eminemlab.com. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  75. ↑ "How Ja Rule started problems with Eminem". 19 February 2004.
  76. ↑ "Busta Rhymes makes peace with Ja Rule". 22 November 2009.
  77. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (April 11, 2003). "Eminem Says If Tupac Were Alive, 'He Would Never Ride With Ja'". MTV. Archived from the original on April 22, 2003.
  78. ↑ "Eminem's Enemies, Rivals and Beefs: Ja Rule". EminemLab.com. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  79. ↑ Clarke, Antoine (October 2002), "A Fox in Sheep's Clothing", F.E.D.S., 3 (10), ISBN 9780060959982
  80. 1 2 3 4 Oh, Minya (23 December 2002). "Mixtape Mondays: DJ Clue". MTV News. MTV.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2003. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  81. 1 2 3 4 "Foxy Brown- Pt 2 Doug Banks In the Morning Interview". YouTube. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  82. 1 2 Samuel, Steven (18 December 2002). "Daily Hip-Hop News: Foxy Claws at Eve... Jay!". SOHH.com. Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  83. ↑ Weiss, Murray (18 July 2005). "HEAT ON JA RULE – EYED BY FEDS IN MIDTOWN GUN SLAY". New York Post. NYPost.com. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  84. 1 2 "Ja Rule Speaks To the.LIFE Files Radio Show". thelifefiles.com. archive.org. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  85. 1 2 3 4 J. Solomon, Akiba (July 2003), "The Big Picture", Vibe, 11 (7), pp. 110–111, ISSN 1070-4701
  86. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (4 April 2003). "Ja Rule Calls 50 'Loose Change,' Disses 'Feminem' And Dr. Dre". MTV News. MTV.com. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  87. ↑ "For The Record: Quick News On Lil' Mo And Ja Rule, Eminem, 'American Idol,' Luther Vandross, P.O.D. & More". MTV News. MTV.com. 9 May 2003. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  88. 1 2 3 Reid, Shaheem (April 16, 2003). "Lil' Mo Wants To Drop Beef With Ja Rule And Focus On Family". MTV News. MTV.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  89. ↑ Watkins, Greg (12 August 2005). "Lil' Mo Filing Lawsuit Against Ja Rule, Murder Inc. & Def Jam". AllHipHop. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  90. 1 2 "LIL MO DOESNT HAVE A ANSWER WHY FABOLOUS WONT DO A SONG WITH HER?". Superstar Radio. YouTube. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  91. ↑ "Ja Rule Ft. Lil Mo - U & Me". HipHopLead.com. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  92. ↑ "Ja Rule - U & Me (Feat. Lil' Mo) (2011)". YouTube. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  93. ↑ "DMX ENDS FEUD WITH JA RULE". Superiorpics.com. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  94. ↑ "Daily News – : DMX Officially Ends Feud With Ja Rule". Allhiphop.com. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  95. ↑ "Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff (Video 2009)". IMDB.com. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  96. ↑ "Broke A$$ Game Show - Season 2 Episodes (TV Series) - MTV".

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