Ja Rule

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{{Infobox_band | band_name = Ja Rule | image = Image:Rule.jpg | caption = Ja Rule in Half Past Dead | years_active = 1995-present | origin = Hollis, Queens, New York | music_genre = Rap | record_label = The Inc. }}

Jeffery Atkins (born February 29, 1976 in Hollis, Queens), better known as Ja Rule, is an American rapper and actor.

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." He also appeared with 0-1 and Chris Black as part of Cash Money Click. In 1998, he had 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".

Mainstream Success

In 2000 Ja Rule released Rule 3:36, his second album. The first single was "Between Me and You" featuring Christina Milian. The song was a smash hit and was followed up by the also successful single, "Put It On Me" featuring Lil Mo. The last single, "I Cry" also featured Lil Mo. The album was eventually certified 3x platinum.

In the fall of 2001, Ja Rule released his third album, Pain Is Love. The first single, "Livin' It Up" was a smash 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 that same year and was another successful hit 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 Lopez. Finally, the album included the song 'So Much Pain', a tribute to 2Pac, in which Ja Rule mixed his own lyrics with 2Pac'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 failed to carry the momentum brought by Rule's previous album. Lead singles, 'Thug Lovin' and 'Mesmerize' (featuring Bobby Brown and Ashanti, respectively) were successful hits ; However, a backlash from upcoming rapper 50 Cent hindered any further 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 greatest hits album was released, titled "Exodus Greatest Hits." 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 September 11, 2001.

In early 2002, Rule again collaborated with Jennifer Lopez on her single, "Aint It Funny." This, along with the previous single, "I'm Real", created two of the most successful hits of Lopez's career.

Ja Rule appeared on the song, "Rainy Dayz", which was added to a 2002 re-release of Mary J Blige's most recent album, 2001's No More Drama. "Rainy Dayz" became another successful song in which a female vocalist's singing complimented Rule's own unique style of rapping.

On a bonus disc on The Notorious B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter, Ja Rule made an appearence on the track "Want That Old Thing Back", with Ralph Tresvant. [1]

Voice

Ja Rule is especially noted for his gruff, gravelly voice, garnering numerous comparisons to the similar-sounding DMX, which eventually started a hip-hop feud between the former friends.

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." Rule has refuted this claim by stating that he likes to rap because he doesn't have to sing.

Feuds

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 alledges that, at the time, he did not know this fact. 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. The battle between the two garnered a significant amount of attention from the media.

Eminem

Eminem became involved in a feud with Ja Rule over Rule's involvement with The Source, a popular hip-hop magazine, and with Eminem's involvement with 50 Cent. Numerous tracks were traded back and forth by both sides, but as of 2006, 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 the single, "Like Toy Soldiers."

Filmography

Ja Rule has appeared in several films and TV shows.

Film

• The Furnace (2007)
• Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)
• Back In The Day (2004)
• Shall We Dance (2004)
• The Cookout (2004)
• Scary Movie 3 (2003)
• Half Past Dead (2002)
• Crime Partners (2001)
• The Fast and The Furious (2001)

TV

• Inked (2005)
• South Beach (2006)
• Cooking Showdown (2006)

Trivia

Married Aisha Murray Atkins 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 Existence."

Discography

Studio albums

Venni Vetti Vecci (August 6 1999) Platinum 1,688,000 (#3 US)	Rule 3:36 (October 10 2000) 3x Platinum 3,645,000 (#1 US - 1 week)	Pain Is Love (October 2 2001) 3x Platinum 3,250,000 (#1 US - 2 weeks, #3 UK)	Last Temptation (November 19 2002) Platinum 1,875,000 (#4 US, #14 UK)
Blood in My Eye (November 4 2003) Gold 600,000 (#6 US,18 UK)	R.U.L.E. (November 8 2004) Gold 800,000 (#7 US, #33 UK)	Exodus Greatest Hits (December 6 2005) (#107 US, #50 UK)

Singles

Solo singles

Featured roles:

External links

• Ja Rule official website
• {{{2|{{{name|Ja Rule}}}}}} at The Internet Movie Database
• Ja Rule Lyrics
• Interview with Ja Rule by Farrakhanar:جارول

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