Ja Rule
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Jeffery Atkins (born February 29, 1976 in Hollis, Queens, New York), better known as Ja Rule, is an American rapper and actor. Ja Rule is one of the best selling rap artists of all-time with 20 million albums sold worldwide, numerous awards and Grammy nominations.
Early career
Ja Rule first appeared on the song, "Time to Build" with fellow rappers Jay Z and DMX on Mic Geronimo's debut album, "The Natural." Rule later appeared with 0-1 and Chris Black as part of Cash Money Click. In 1998, he was signed to Def Jam Recordings, with his first major appearace alongside Jay-Z on the song "Can I Get a...". In 1999, he released his solo debut, Venni Vetti Vecci, and had a hit with the single "Holla Holla".In 2000 Ja Rule released , his second album. The first released single was "Between Me and You" featuring Christina Milian, which proved to be a hit and was followed up by another successful single, "Put It On Me" featuring Vita. The last single, "I Cry" featured Lil Mo.
On October 2, 2001, Ja Rule released his third album, Pain Is Love. The first single, "Livin' It Up" was a hit which featured guest vocals by R&B singer Case and sampled Stevie Wonder's "Do I Do". The follow up single, "Always On Time", was released in December of the same year and was yet another success for the rapper. The song was notable as it introduced the public to singer Ashanti, who performed on the songs chorus. The album also featured the successful remix "I'm Real" with Jennifer López. Finally, the album included the song "So Much Pain", a tribute to Tupac Shakur, in which Ja Rule mixed his own lyrics with Shakur's. Pain Is Love was certified 6x Platinum.
Ja Rule released The Last Temptation, his fourth studio album in November of 2002. Although the album was fairly successful (it was certified platinum), it failed to carry the momentum brought by Rule's previous album. Lead singles, "Thug Lovin" (featuring Bobby Brown) and "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti) were successful hits; however, a backlash from upcoming multi-platinum pop singer 50 Cent hindered his success.
Blood In My Eye was Rule's fifth album and is most notable for its extensive "diss" tracks aimed at rapper 50 Cent, Eminem, Dr. Dre and others. It was certified gold in the U.S., a relative disappointment compared to his previous record sales.
Ja Rule released "R.U.L.E." in late 2004, and had minor hits with "Wonderful" (featuring R. Kelly), "New York" (featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss), and "Caught Up" (featuring Lloyd). The album was certified gold in the U.S.
In December of 2005, a compilation album was released, titled "Exodus." Rule has stated that this may be his last album as he has fulfilled his contract with The Inc., his record label, and wants to concentrate on other aspects of his career.
Guest appearances
Ja Rule appeared on the celebrity remake of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", with proceeds going to Artists Against AIDS Worldwide and to help with the tragedy of the September 11, 2001 attacks.In early 2002, Rule again collaborated with Jennifer López on her single, "Ain't It Funny."
Ja Rule appeared on the song, "Rainy Dayz", which was included on a 2002 re-release of Mary J Blige's most recent album, 2001's No More Drama.
On a bonus disc on , Ja Rule made an appearance on the track "Want That Old Thing Back", with Ralph Tresvant. [link]
Voice
Ja Rule is especially noted for his gruff, gravelly voice, garnering numerous comparisons to the similar-sounding DMX. His rough vocals are often used in a more flowing, less rapping style alongside female R&B singers in what has led some to nickname Ja Rule "the rap singer."50 Cent
While it is not certain how the rap feud began, Ja Rule and rapper 50 Cent have engaged in numerous "diss" tracks aimed at each other and each others associates. A common story told throughout the hip hop community is that Ja Rule spotted 50 Cent alongside a man who had supposedly robbed Ja Rule of a necklace. 50 Cent alleges that, at the time, he did not know this fact. However Ja Rule claimed that 50 cent started the feud himself because he didn't like that Ja Rule was getting "too much love" in New York city according to his interview with the minister of the Nation of Islam. On 50 Cent's debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', the rapper traded insults with Ja Rule on numerous tracks involving Murder Inc. and Rule's mentor Irv Gotti along with labelmate Black Child. Ja Rule later retaliated with songs "Loose Change" and "Snitch In Da Club" . The battle between the two garnered a significant amount of attention from the media.In early 2006 a new track titled '21 Gunz' surfaced on the internet featuring Ja Rule and other label mates from The Inc (see www.myspace.com/jarule). The song was, in effect, a diss towards 50 cent and G-Unit, with numerous threats on the rapper's lives. The song '21 Gunz' managed to decrease 50 cent's and G-Unit's street credibility. 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks responded to The Inc. with the unsuccessful track "Return of Ja Fool" on the mixtape "Mo Money in da Bank Pt 4"
Eminem
Eminem became involved with Ja Rule over Rule's involvement with The Source, a popular hip-hop magazine, with Eminem's involvement with 50 Cent, and Ja Rule disgracing himself by mentioning Eminem's daughter Hailie in the track "Loose Change". (On the track, Ja Rule raps "Em, you claim your mother's a crackhead, and Kim is a known slut, so what's Hailie going to be when she grows up?") Numerous "diss" tracks were traded back and forth by both rappers such as a remix of Tupac's hit song, Hail Mary, which featured 50 Cent and Busta Ryhmes, but as of 2005, it appears that the feud has ended with both rappers claiming that they want no more problems. Eminem has discussed his feelings concerning the feud with his single, "Like Toy Soldiers."Trivia
Married Aisha Murray in April of 2001.Has a daughter (Britney) born in 1995 and two sons (Jeffrey Jr.) born in August 2000 and (Jordan) born in April 2003.
Is a Leap Year baby.
Did a collaboration with rock band Metallica titled, "We Did It Again."
Had a sister that died when he was five years old, due to respiratory problems.
Ja Rule's rap name is an acronym for, "Jeffery Atkins Represents Unconditional Loves Exist."
Discography
Albums
(August 6 1999)
Platinum
(#3 US), 2.5 million worldwide Image:Rule 3.jpg|'
(October 10 2000)
3x Platinum
(#1 US), 5 million worldwide''' Image:Pain.jpg|Pain Is Love
(October 2 2001)
6x Platinum
(#1 US), 6 million worldwide Image:TheLast.jpg|Last Temptation
(November 19 2002)
Platinum
(#4 US), 3 million worldwide Image:Blood IN.jpg|Blood in My Eye
(November 4 2003)
Gold 1 million worldwide Image:RULE.jpg|R.U.L.E.
(November 8 2004) 2.4 million worldwide Image:Exoda.jpg|Exodus Greatest Hits
(December 6 2005) 375,000 copies sold Image:Nocover.gif|My Life In Lyrics
(2006)
Please do NOT give any false information about this article.
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop | U.S. Rap | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 1999 | "Holla Holla" (Gold) | #35 | #11 | #2 | - | Venni Vetti Vecci |
| 1999 | "Daddy's Little Baby" | - | - | - | - | Venni Vetti Vecci |
| 2000 | "How Many Wanna" | - | #72 | - | - | Light It Up [Soundtrack] |
| 2000 | "6 Feet Underground" | - | - | #25 | - | |
| 2001 | "Between Me & You" | #11 | #5 | #11 | #26 | |
| 2001 | "Put It On Me" | #8 | #2 | #11 | - | |
| 2001 | "I Cry" | #40 | #11 | #25 | - | |
| 2001 | "Livin' It Up" | #6 | #4 | #4 | #27 | Pain Is Love |
| 2002 | "Always On Time" | #1 (2 weeks) | #1 (8 weeks) | #4 | #6 | Pain Is Love |
| 2002 | "Never Again" | - | #68 | - | - | Pain Is Love |
| 2002 | "Down Ass Chick" | #21 | #8 | #5 | - | Pain Is Love |
| 2002 | "Thug Lovin'" | #42 | #16 | #10 | #15 | Last Temptation |
| 2002 | "Mesmerize" | #2 | #5 | #2 | #12 | Last Temptation |
| 2003 | "The Crown" | - | #67 | - | - | Blood In My Eye |
| 2003 | "Clap Back" | #44 | #17 | #12 | #9 | ''Blood In My Eye |
| 2004 | "Wonderful" (Gold) | #5 | #3 | #2 | #1 | R.U.L.E. |
| 2004 | "New York" | #27 | #14 | #10 | - | R.U.L.E. |
| 2005 | "Caught Up" | - | #65 | - | #20 | R.U.L.E. |
| 2006 | "Get Up" | - | - | - | - | My Life In Lyrics |
| 2006 | "So Hot" (with Tamia) | - | - | - | - | My Life In Lyrics |
The new single to be released is called "It's All Hood"
Featured Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop | U.S. Rap | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 1998 | "Can I Get A..." | #26 | ??? | ??? | #24 | |
| 2001 | "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" | #1 (3 weeks) | #2 | - | #4 | J. Lo (Bonus Track) / / Pain Is Love |
| 2001 | "What's Going On" | #27 | ??? | ??? | #6 | - |
| 2002 | "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)" | #1 (6 weeks) | #4 | - | #4 | / Exodus |
| 2002 | "Rainy Dayz" | #12 | #8 | - | #17 | No More Drama |
| 2002 | "Down 4 U" | #6 | #3 | #3 | #4 | Irv Gotti Presents The Inc |
Awards history
| Award | Category | Genre | Song/Album | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source Hip-Hop Music Award | Single of the Year | Rap/Hip-Hop | "Put It On Me" | 2001 | Won |
| Source Award | R&B/Rap Collboration of the Year | R&B/Rap | "Thug Lovin'" | 2003 | Won |
| Source Award | Fat Tape Song of the Year | Rap/Hip-Hop | "Clap Back" | 2004 | Won |
| MTV Video Music Award | Best Rap Video | Rap | "Put It On Me" | 2001 | Nominated |
| MTV Video Music Award | Best Hip-Hop Video | Hip-Hop | "Im Real (Murder Remix)" | 2002 | Won |
| MTV Video Music Award | Best Hip-Hop Video | Hip-Hop | "Always On Time" | 2002 | Nominated |
| American Music Award | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist | Rap/Hip-Hop | - | 2002 | Nominated |
| American Music Award | Favorite Hip-Hop/R&B Male Artist | Hip-Hop/R&B | - | 2003 | Nominated |
| Grammy Award | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Rap/Hip-Hop | "Put It On Me" | 2002 | Nominated |
| Grammy Award | Best Rap Album | Rap | "Pain Is Love" | 2002 | Nominated |
| Grammy Award | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Rap/Sung | "Livin' It Up" | 2002 | Nominated |
| Grammy Award | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Rap/Sung | "Always On Time" | 2003 | Nominated |
| World Music Award | World's Best-Selling Rap Artist | Rap/Hip-Hop | - | 2002 | Won |
| BET Award | Best Male Hip-Hop Artist Artist | Hip-Hop | - | 2002 | Won |
| GQ Men of the Year Award | Musician of the Year | Rap/Hip-Hop | - | 2002 | Won |
| Teen Choice Award | Male Artist of the Year | Rap/Hip-Hop | - | 2002 | Won |
| NAACP Image Award | Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist | Rap/Hip-Hop | - | 2002 | Won |
| Soul Train Award | Best Rap/Soul or Rap Album of the Year | Rap | "Pain Is Love" | 2002 | Nominated |
External links
- [Ja Rule official website]
- [Ja Rule Lyrics]
- [Interview with Ja Rule by Farrakhan]
- [Official MySpace Page]
- [www.murderinc-online.com]
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