Ja Rule

Jeffrey Bruce Atkins was born on February 29, 1976, in Hollis, a section of the Queens borough of New York City.{{Cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |date=August 9, 2009 |title=Ja Rule: The Road To Redemption |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1389/title.ja-rule-the-road-to-redemption |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518014727/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1389/title.ja-rule-the-road-to-redemption |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |website=HipHop DX}} Atkins' father left the family when he was very young. Atkins was raised as an only child, as his younger sister, Kristen, died in the womb when Atkins was 5.{{cite magazine |last=Grossman |first=Samantha |date=July 8, 2014 |title=The Tao of Ja: 10 Things We Learned From Reading Ja Rule's New Book |url=https://time.com/2954051/ja-rule-book-interview/ |magazine=Time}} His mother, Debra, was a healthcare worker, and due to the amount of time she spent working, Atkins was largely raised by his grandparents as a Jehovah's Witness.{{cite magazine|last=Hughes|first=Zondra|date=April 2002|title=Ja Rule: rap star rules hearts & charts – Jeffrey Atkins|magazine=Ebony|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o9kDAAAAMBAJ|page=140}} Atkins' mother left the Jehovah's Witness religion when he was twelve and was therefore shunned by her former congregation including her parents, meaning she was no longer allowed to see her son.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/16/showbiz/music/ja-rule-christian/index.html|title=Ja Rule's 'Unruly' path from jail to Christianity – CNN|first=Breeanna |last=Hare|website=CNN|date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=May 31, 2018}} Atkins and his mother decided they would rather live together even if it meant struggling to pay bills. Not long after moving in with his mother, Atkins began selling drugs in Hollis.{{cite web |last=Meara |first=Paul |date=November 30, 2014 |title=Ja Rule Says He Sold Drugs To Friend's Parents During His Childhood |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.31590/title.ja-rule-says-he-sold-drugs-to-friends-parents-during-his-childhood |website=HipHopDX.com}}

Atkins began his rap career in 1994 with the hip hop group Cash Money Click alongside members Chris Black and O-1. He took the stage name "Ja Rule", telling MTV News that the name came from a friend who addressed him by that name; other friends simply called him "Ja".{{cite web|last=Waller|first=Curtis|title=Ja Rule: Rules of the Game|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/archive/j/jarule01/index2.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=February 17, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010820065650/http://www.mtv.com/bands/archive/j/jarule01/index2.jhtml|archive-date=August 20, 2001|access-date=August 17, 2008}} Together they worked with producer DJ Irv to produce a number of songs, releasing their debut single "Get Tha Fortune" independently in 1994. After the group signed with TVT Records, the song was re-released through the label later that year as the B-side to their second single, "4 My Click". "4 My Click" featured Mic Geronimo and became popular on pirate radio, eventually receiving airplay on Yo! MTV Raps. Plans for the release of the group's eponymous debut studio album were brought to a halt in 1995 after Chris Black was sentenced to five years in prison and the group was dropped from TVT, which led to their third single "She Swallowed It" never officially being released, however it was later bootlegged. With no label, the group disbanded shortly after being dropped.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1451354/ja-rule-re-teams-with-cash-money-click-for-lp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530232828/http://www.mtv.com/news/1451354/ja-rule-re-teams-with-cash-money-click-for-lp/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 30, 2015|title=Ja Rule Re-Teams With Cash Money Click For LP|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|website=MTV News}}

After being dropped from TVT, Ja Rule maintained a close relationship with DJ Irv, who was working as an executive producer for Def Jam at the time. DJ Irv, now known as Irv Gotti, was hired as an A&R for the label and was able to get Ja Rule a contract with Def Jam.{{cite book |last=Ogg |first=Alex |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Men_Behind_Def_Jam_The_Radical_Rise/2U7z6o163CwC |title=The Men Behind Def Jam: The Radical Rise of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-7119-8873-0 |page=227}} In 1995, he made his first solo appearance on Mic Geronimo's "Time to Build" alongside Jay-Z and DMX, who were also in the early stages of their careers. He later appeared on the song "Usual Suspects" from Mic Geronimo's second album Vendetta in 1997, alongside The Lox, DMX and Tragedy Khadafi. He also had a brief cameo in the video for "Walk in New York" by Queens hardcore rap group Onyx. Later in 1997, Irv Gotti was granted his own imprint from Def Jam, known as Murder Inc. Records. Ja Rule was promoted as the label's flagship artist, and he continued to make guest appearances on songs by other artists, including Method Man, Redman, Nas, DMX, LL Cool J and Dru Hill. He later appeared on Jay-Z's 1998 hit single "Can I Get A...", for which he wrote the hook. It was originally planned to be Ja Rule's debut single until Jay-Z heard the track and requested it for himself. During this time, he rapped under the slightly modified stage name Jah.{{Cite web |last=Gale |first=Alex |date=August 21, 2013 |title=Ja Rule Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/ja-rule-best-songs-interview/ |website=Complex.com}}

Returning to the Ja Rule name, his debut single "Holla Holla" was released in March 1999 and became a hit, peaking at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite web|title=Ja Rule: Billboard Singles|url=https://allmusic.com/artist/ja-rule-p366173/charts-awards/billboard-singles|website=AllMusic|access-date=December 13, 2010}}{{Cite web |title=Ja Rule - Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ja-rule/chart-history/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} Fueled by the success of "Holla Holla", 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 "Holla Holla".{{cite web|title=Gold & Platinum: Ja Rule|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=ja%20rule&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50|publisher=RIAA|access-date=December 13, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151606/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1|archive-date=September 24, 2015}} A remix of "Holla Holla" was later released, featuring Jay-Z, Vita, Cadillac Tah, Black Child, Memphis Bleek and Busta Rhymes.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

File:Vita&Ja.jpg in 2001]]

Ja Rule's second single, "Between Me and You", featuring Christina Milian, was released in June 2000 as the first single from his second studio album and became his first major crossover hit, earning Top 40 airplay and reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's next single, "Put It on Me", featuring Vita and Lil' Mo, was released in December 2000 and became one of the biggest hits of 2001, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the first top-10 hit for both Ja Rule and Vita.{{cite web|title=Ja Rule Talks Creation of 'Put It on Me'|url=http://www.hip-hopvibe.com/2012/02/29/ja-rule-talks-creation-of-put-it-on-me-in-vibe-interview/|website=Hip-hopvibe.com|date=February 29, 2012|access-date=May 23, 2013}} The video for "Put It on Me" also topped the MTV Video Countdown for a week, and became the first music video to be retired on BET's 106 & Park after spending more than 60 days on the countdown. The video also ranked number 1 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2001.{{cite web|title=BET: Notarized – Season 1, episode 3: 2001|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/bet-notarized/2001-1298170/|publisher=TV.com|access-date=January 17, 2014|archive-date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002010436/http://www.tv.com/shows/bet-notarized/2001-1298170/|url-status=dead}}

Ja Rule's second album, Rule 3:36, was released on October 10, 2000, and went in a much different stylistic direction from Venni Vetti Vecci, changing his almost trademark hardcore hip-hop sound to mainstream-oriented pop-rap, debuting at number 1 on the Billboard 200 with 276,000 copies sold in its first week, making it Ja Rule's first number-one album. The album later went on to be certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A week later, Ja Rule featured on Cuban Link's song "Murda Murda" from Cuban's 24K album. It was released on October 22, 2000, by Atlantic Records and Terror Squad Entertainment as the B-side to Cuban's "Still Telling Lies" single.{{cite web|title=Cuban Link – Still Telling Lies|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2281032-Cuban-Link-Still-Telling-Lies|publisher=Discogs|access-date=November 9, 2024}}

The success of Rule 3:36 promoted Ja Rule to international status, and made Murder Inc. one of the biggest labels in the United States. The same success followed with his third album, which spawned three top-10 singles, two of them reaching number 1. The first, "Livin' It Up", featuring Case, was released in July 2001 and reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ja-rule/chart-history/hsi/|title=Ja Rule|website=Billboard.com}} It also achieved success in the United Kingdom, reaching number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20020728/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 {{pipe}} Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com}} The second single, "Always on Time", was released in October 2001 and marked the first major guest appearance for Murder Inc's youngest artist Ashanti, and became both Ja Rule and Ashanti's first song to top the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/05/ashanti-tbt-complex-tv|title=Watch Ashanti Talk About Her Career Highlights and Working with Ja Rule and Fat Joe |work=Complex|date=May 1, 2014|access-date=January 8, 2018}} The remix of Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real" featuring Ja Rule was included on the album and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five non-consecutive weeks, beginning September 8, 2001, and also topped the Hot 100 Airplay chart. The song was a staple of R&B/hip hop and pop radio during the summer and fall of 2001, spending fifteen weeks total in the top five of the Hot 100. In 2009 the single was named the 30th most successful song of the 2000s, on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Singles&f=Greece#/charts-decade-end/hot-100-songs?year=2009&begin=21&order=position |title=Hot 100 Decade Songs |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 4, 2012}} The album's fourth single, "Down Ass Bitch" featuring Charli Baltimore was also successful, reaching number 21 on the Hot 100.{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/276599/ja+rule/chart |title=Ja Rule – Chart history {{pipe}} Billboard |website=www.billboard.com |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206205955/http://www.billboard.com/artist/276599/ja+rule/chart |archive-date=6 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}

Ja Rule released his third studio album, Pain Is Love, on October 2, 2001. Like its predecessor, Pain Is Love topped the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 361,000 copies and is certified triple platinum by the RIAA. The album also received a Grammy nomination in 2002 for Best Rap Album. By 2007, 3.6 million copies of Pain Is Love had been sold.

The Last Temptation, Ja Rule's fourth album, was released on November 19, 2002. It spawned two hit singles, "Thug Lovin'", featuring Bobby Brown, which peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Mesmerize", a duet with Ashanti that peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 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.

File:KexEdit-0.8.6.jpg, a notorious Queens gangster closely affiliated with Irv Gotti and Murder Inc. Records]]

Shortly after the release of his fourth studio album, Ja Rule's ongoing beef with fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent reached its peak, with both artists taking to radio stations almost daily to trade insults and diss tracks.{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.2422/title.50-cents-10-most-infamous-beefs|title=50 Cent's 10 Most Infamous Beefs|website=HipHopDX.com|date=June 3, 2014}}{{cite web|last=MTV News|author-link=MTV|date=November 3, 2003 |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/j/ja_rule/news_feature_031103/index.jhtml |title=Ja Rule on 50 Cent, God and Hip-Hop |publisher=MTV |access-date=July 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820000603/http://www.mtv.com/bands/j/ja_rule/news_feature_031103/index.jhtml |archive-date=August 20, 2007 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2006/07/50-cent-games-haters-play/|title=50 Cent Games Haters Play – XXL|website=XXL Mag|date=July 27, 2006 }}{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.29625/title.ja-rule-details-50-cent-altercation-in-2000|title=Ja Rule Details 50 Cent Altercation In 2000|date=July 7, 2014|website=HipHopDX.com}}{{cite web|first=Reid|last=Shaheem |date=April 25, 2003|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471546/20030425/story.jhtml |title=DJ Tells 50 Cent, Ja Rule: One More Dis Record, Then Quit It|publisher= MTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030501124439/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471546/20030425/story.jhtml|archive-date=May 1, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=July 25, 2007}} On January 3, 2003, the Murder Inc. offices were raided by FBI agents and NYPD officers due to accusations of money laundering and drug trades toward Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, who was associated with Irv Gotti.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/72794/report-feds-raid-murder-inc-in-irv-gotti-probe|title=Report: Feds Raid Murder Inc. In Irv Gotti Probe|website=Billboard.com}} Due to the federal investigation, Ja Rule had a late response in his beef with 50 Cent.[http://empiremediakings.com/2018/02/15/flashback-ja-rule-on-why-he-didnt-clap-back-at-50-cent-sooner] {{Dead link|date=February 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} By association, 50 Cent's labelmates Eminem, Obie Trice, D12, and Ja Rule's former friends and associates DMX and Busta Rhymes were brought into the feud too. Ja Rule released the diss track "Loose Change" in April 2003, where he attacks 50 Cent, as well as Eminem, Busta Rhymes and Dr. Dre.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/05/ja-rule-boasts-eminem-50-cent-loose-change-most-disrespectful|title=Ja Rule Boasts His Eminem/50 Cent "Loose Change" Diss Was the Most Disrespectful|website=Complex.com}} 50 Cent eventually responded with "Hail Mary", which used the beat from 2Pac's song of the same name and featured Eminem and Busta Rhymes.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/50-cent-ja-rule-beef-history-timeline-what-cause-rap-instagram-latest-a8621631.html|title=The history of 50 Cent and Ja Rule's long-running feud|date=November 7, 2018|newspaper=The Independent}} The beef continued to be highly publicized throughout 2003, and eventually led to Ja Rule meeting with Minister Louis Farrakhan in October, who wanted to intervene and prevent escalating violence in the feud.{{cite news | url = http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_1091.shtml | title = Farrakhan warns hip-hop artists: Clap-back will only lead to coffins | publisher = The Final Call | date = November 4, 2003 | access-date = April 15, 2008 }}

Ja Rule's fifth studio 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 material was intended simply as a mixtape, but was released as an album to fulfill Ja Rule's contractual commitment to Murder Inc. to release one annually. The album was described as a "hate" album directed at various rappers, including 50 Cent, G-Unit, Eminem, Proof, Dr. Dre, DMX, Busta Rhymes and others, and marked a return to the hardcore style Ja Rule had used in his earlier career. It spawned one hit single, "Clap Back", which reached number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Source Award for "Fat Tape" song of the year. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 200, selling 139,000 copies in its first week of release, and had sold over 468,000 copies in the U.S. by 2008.{{cite web|title=Ja Rule – Charts & Awards (Billboard Albums)|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p366173|pure_url=yes}}|website=AllMusic|access-date=August 17, 2008}}

Ja Rule's sixth studio album, R.U.L.E., was released in November 2004, debuting at number 7 and 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 failed to make an impact on the Billboard Hot 100. The RIAA certified R.U.L.E. Gold on January 14, 2005, and by October 2007 the album had sold 658,000 copies.{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0720752020071007|title=Rapper Ja Rule releasing first album in 3 years|work=Reuters|date=October 7, 2007|access-date=December 13, 2010}}

File:Ja Rule Fort Hood.JPEG, 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 its release, Ja Rule took a hiatus from recording music. Meanwhile, The Inc. Records was still under investigation because of alleged drug trades with Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff.{{cite news|last1=Rashbaum|first1=William K.|last2=Sweeney|first2=Matthew|title=Hip-Hop Producers Get Acquittal, Then Hugs, From Jurors|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/03/nyregion/03gotti.html?_r=1&sq=&pagewanted=all|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 3, 2005}} This led to Def Jam Recordings refusing to renew The Inc.'s contract. From 2005 to 2006, Gotti searched for other labels, finally reaching a deal with Universal Records (part of the same company as Def Jam). A few years later The Inc. left Universal Records due to business issues and failure to secure funds for projects.{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.25501/title.ja-rule-admits-losing-to-50-cent|title=Ja Rule Admits Losing To 50 Cent|website=HipHopDX.com|date=September 20, 2013}} In 2007, Ja Rule founded record label Mpire Music Group.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

In February 2011, it was announced that Ja Rule had started working on a new album, Pain Is Love 2, to be produced by the producers of the original Pain Is Love album to "recreate magic". Most of the production was to be done by 7 Aurelius (who co-produced "Down Ass Bitch"), while Irv Gotti was to be executive producer. Ja Rule had planned on releasing it on June 7, 2011, but decided to delay the release in order to allow more time to perfect the "level and quality of the records" and to avoid "doing an injustice to [his] fans".{{cite web |url=http://getwritegossip.com/2011/02/08/ja-rule-working-on-%E2%80%98pain-is-love-pt-2%E2%80%B2/ |title=Ja Rule Working On 'Pain Is Love Pt. 2' « GetWrite Gossip {{pipe}} New Hip Hop Music, Hip Hop News, Sports, Entertainment Blog |website=Getwritegossip.com |date=February 8, 2011 |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-date=March 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329143414/http://getwritegossip.com/2011/02/08/ja-rule-working-on-%E2%80%98pain-is-love-pt-2%E2%80%B2/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.hip-hopvibe.com/2011/02/09/ja-rule-working-on-pain-is-love-2/ |title=Ja Rule working on "Pain is Love 2" |website=Hip-hopvibe.com |date=February 9, 2011 |access-date=December 13, 2012}}{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15407/title.ja-rule-delays-pain-is-love-2/ |title=Ja Rule Reveals Tracklist For "Pain Is Love 2," Due In 2012 {{pipe}} Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |website=HipHopDX.com |date=December 9, 2011 |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427145106/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15407/title.ja-rule-delays-pain-is-love-2/ |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |url-status=dead }} A revised release date of October 11, 2011, was also pushed back.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Pil-2-Ja-Rule/dp/B006EMSNN4/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1326381032&sr=1-2 |title=Pil 2: Ja Rule: Music |website=Amazon.com |access-date=March 30, 2012}} During the delay, Ja Rule released a new track, "Falling to Pieces", produced by 7 Aurelius, which samples The Script's "Breakeven".{{cite web |url=http://www.soulculture.co.uk/blogs/music-blog/newmusic/ja-rule-falling-2-pieces-new-music/ |title=Ja Rule – "Falling 2 Pieces" {{pipe}} New Music |website=SoulCulture.co.uk |date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=March 30, 2012 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927012351/http://www.soulculture.co.uk/blogs/music-blog/newmusic/ja-rule-falling-2-pieces-new-music/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|author=» by September 23, 2011, 14:24pm |url=http://hiphopwired.com/2011/09/23/ja-rule-releases-falling-to-pieces-audio/ |title=Ja Rule Releases "Falling To Pieces" [Audio] |publisher=Hip-Hop Wired |date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=March 30, 2012}} On October 2, 2011, another track, "Spun a Web", was released, also produced by 7 Aurelius and sampling Coldplay's "Trouble". The following day a teaser video premiered on YouTube, and the official video was released on October 11.{{Cite web|url=http://hiphop-n-more.com/2011/10/ja-rule-spun-a-web/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004135103/http://hiphop-n-more.com/2011/10/ja-rule-spun-a-web/|url-status=dead|title=Ja Rule – 'Spun A Web'|website=Web.archive.org|archive-date=October 4, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2025}} Pain Is Love 2 was finally released on February 28, 2012, by which time Ja Rule was serving a two-year sentence in prison for gun possession and tax evasion.

Ja Rule was released from prison on May 7, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/05/07/ja-rule-released-prison/|title=JA RULE RELEASED From Prison|website=Tmz.com|date=May 7, 2013 |access-date=May 7, 2013}} Alongside Lil Wayne and Birdman, he appeared on the remix of the track "She Tried", 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/singles/id.25568/title.Ja+Rule-Fresh+Out+Da+Pen|title=Ja Rule|date=September 18, 2013|website=HipHopDX.com|access-date=March 9, 2015}}{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/ja-rule-fresh-out-da-pen_n_3953246.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Jacobs | last=Matthew | title=Ja Rule Is 'Fresh Out Da Pen' | date=September 19, 2013}} A few days later he released "Everything". Both tracks were produced by Visionary producers Reefa and Myles William. On September 27, 2013, both tracks were released on iTunes for digital download.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/everything-fresh-out-da-pen-single/716859671|title=iTunes – Music – Everything / Fresh Out da Pen – Single by Ja Rule|work=iTunes|date=September 25, 2013|access-date=March 9, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ruleyork.com/2013/09/new-music-ja-rule-eerrthang-fresh-out-the-pen-itunes-download/|title=New Music: JA RULE – 'EerrThang' & 'Fresh Out The Pen' itunes download – RuleYork|first=Anthony|last=Wallace|access-date=March 9, 2015}} In September 2013, it was confirmed that Ja Rule and Gotti had relaunched Murder Inc Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/m/index.php?s=news&id=25602|title=Irv Gotti To Relaunch Murder Inc.|access-date=March 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216024711/http://www.hiphopdx.com/m/index.php?s=news&id=25602|archive-date=February 16, 2015|url-status=dead}}

In 2014, Ja Rule released a memoir, 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.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/2954051/ja-rule-book-interview/|title=Ja Rule Book: Surprising Facts From the Rapper's Memoir, Unruly|first=Samantha|last=Grossman|magazine=Time|access-date=March 9, 2015|date=July 8, 2014}} In July 2014, Ja Rule announced his eighth studio album, which was eventually pushed back to a 2016 release.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29631/title.ja-rule-announces-genius-loves-company-album-|title=Ja Rule Announces "Genius Loves Company" Album|date=July 7, 2014|website=HipHopDX.com|access-date=March 9, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/article/fvbsmh/ja-rule-announces-new-album-genius-loves-company|title=Ja Rule Announces New Album, Genius Loves Company|date=July 8, 2014|website=BET.com|access-date=March 9, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6693349/ja-rule-nfl-picks-fantasy-joe-flacco-eli-manning-giants-tom-brady|title=Ja Rule on His NFL Picks, Playing Fantasy & Why He Doesn't Think Brady's Going Back to the Super Bowl|website=Billboard.com}} Also in 2014, MTV announced that Ja Rule and his family would 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.wetpaint.com/2015-04-22-ja-rule-reality-show-music/|title=Ja Rule Talks New Music, a Fast & Furious Return, and T.I.'s Reality TV Advice — Exclusive – Wetpaint, Inc.|date=April 22, 2015|website=Wetpaint.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2015/08/05/ja-rule-50-cent-reignite-beef/|title=Ja Rule and 50 Cent Reignite Beef|website=Rap-up.com|date=July 31, 2015 }} In October 2015, Rule announced that he and Gotti had partnered with Paramount Pictures on a TV drama series based on the history of Murder Inc., set to premiere in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/ja-rule-says-he-irv-gotti-have-partnered-up-with-paramount-for-a-murder-inc-drama-series-20151027|title=Ja Rule Says He & Irv Gotti Have Partnered Up With Paramount for a Murder Inc Drama Series|first=Tambay A.|last=Obenson|date=October 27, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222221534/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/ja-rule-says-he-irv-gotti-have-partnered-up-with-paramount-for-a-murder-inc-drama-series-20151027|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vladtv.com/article/215454/ja-rule-says-murder-inc-drama-series-is-coming-in-2016|title=Exclusive! Ja Rule Says Murder Inc Drama Series Is Coming in 2016|website=Vladtv.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/ja-rule-has-a-murder-inc-drama-series-in-the-works-news.18375.html|title=Ja Rule Has A "Murder Inc." Drama Series In The Works|website=Hotnewhiphop.com|date=October 25, 2015}} In February 2016, Ja Rule announced that his upcoming eighth studio album would be titled Coup De Grâce{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.37593/title.ja-rule-says-his-next-album-will-be-his-last-announces-new-title|title=Ja Rule Says His Next Album Will Be His Last; Announces New Title|website=HipHopDX.com|date=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2016/02/ja-rule-changes-title-final-album/|title=Ja Rule Changes The Title Of His Final Album|date=February 22, 2016|website=Vice.com}} and would be his last album.{{cite web|url=http://radio.com/2016/02/22/ja-rule-final-album/|title=Ja Rule Announces Final Album 'Coup De Grace'|access-date=December 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901043704/http://radio.com/2016/02/22/ja-rule-final-album/|archive-date=September 1, 2017|url-status=dead}} In December 2016, he appeared on The Hamilton Mixtape, rapping Hamilton's verse in Ashanti's performance of "Helpless", referencing Lin-Manuel Miranda's impression of him in the last line of that verse. On June 26, 2018, Ashanti confirmed that she and Ja Rule are working on a collaborative album.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/06/ashanti-confirms-joint-album-with-ja-rule-in-the-works/|title=Ashanti Confirms Joint Album With Ja Rule Is in the Works – XXL|website=XXL Mag|date=June 26, 2018 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/ashanti-confirms-collaborative-album-with-ja-rule-news.53532.html|title=Ashanti Confirms Collaborative Album With Ja Rule|website=Hotnewhiphop.vom|date=June 25, 2018}}

On October 15, 2021, in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the release of his third studio album, Pain is Love, Ja Rule released the single, "Sincerely, Jeffrey"{{Cite web |date=2021-10-02 |title=Ja Rule on Twitter: "Since it's the anniversary of Pain is love figured I'd give y'all a lil something new... love y'all!!! ❤️🌊 #ICONN #SincerlyJeffrey..." |url=https://twitter.com/jarule/status/1444351644007866375 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002223557/https://twitter.com/jarule/status/1444351644007866375 |archive-date=2021-10-02 |access-date=2022-04-07 }} for all streaming platforms.{{Citation |title=Sincerely Jeffrey – Single by Ja Rule |date=2021-10-15 |url=https://music.apple.com/ag/album/sincerely-jeffrey-single/1590606910 |language=en-GB |access-date=2022-04-07}}{{Citation |title=Sincerely Jeffrey |date=2021-10-15 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/30yvqIQLYYYvaJ89GCHH0V |language=en |access-date=2022-04-07}}

File:Ja Rule 9 25 24.jpg at Barclays Center in 2024, pictured here with the NY Liberty's Ellie the Elephant]]

{{BLP unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}

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.

In 2004, Ja Rule and Gotti launched an urban clothing line called ErvinGeoffrey. In 2006, Ja Rule launched a liquor company, The Mojito.{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/ja-rule/video/jarulex30x11x05|title=Ja Rule – Exodus Audio Stream|website=Contactmusic.com|date=November 30, 2005}}

In May 2015, Ja Rule partnered with Billy McFarland, the CEO of the credit card service company Magnises, to become its creative head and spokesman.{{cite web|url=http://www.nylon.com/articles/the-reawakening-of-ja-rule|title=the reawakening of ja rule|website=Nylon.com|date=May 13, 2015 }} In August 2015, Ja Rule collaborated with footwear businessman Steve Madden on a new line of men's sneakers called Maven x Madden,{{cite web|url=http://rollingout.com/2015/08/18/ja-rule-lands-deal-steve-madden/|title=Ja Rule lands deal with Steve Madden – Rolling Out|date=August 18, 2015|website=Rollingout.com}} which were released for sale by fall 2015.{{cite web|url=http://footwearnews.com/2015/influencers/collaborations/steve-madden-ja-rule-maven-madden-shoes-collection-148864/|title=Steve Madden And Ja Rule Open Up Exclusively About Their Shoe Line|first=Sheena|last=Butler-Young|date=September 14, 2015|website=Footwearnews.com}}

In 2016, Ja Rule co-founded Fyre Media, Inc.,{{cite web|url=https://trademarks.justia.com/871/99/fyre-87199976.html|title=FYRE – Trademark Details|website=Trademarks.justia.com}}{{cite web|url=http://xlivecon.com/lasvegas/speakers/ja-rule-fyre-media/|title=JA RULE, MUSICIAN & CO-FOUNDER, FYRE MEDIA|website=Xlivecon.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320232255/http://xlivecon.com/lasvegas/speakers/ja-rule-fyre-media/|archive-date=March 20, 2017}} a talent booking agency, with Billy McFarland. In April 2017, the venture touted its Fyre Festival in Hamilton, Bahamas, as a luxury event, but it was fraudulent,{{Cite news|last=Huddleston|first=Tom Jr.|date=2019-08-18|title=Fyre Festival: How a 25-year-old scammed investors out of $26 million|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/18/how-fyre-festivals-organizer-scammed-investors-out-of-26-million.html|access-date=2022-01-12|work=CNBC}} disappointing hundreds of ticket-buyers.{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/founder-of-fyre-billy-mcfarland-club-for-millennials-2017-4|title=The organizer of the doomed Fyre festival was previously accused of scamming millennials with promises of Hamilton tickets and trips to Cuba|newspaper=Business Insider|date=April 28, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2017}} Rule and McFarland faced a $100 million class action suit.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/01/fyre-festival-celebrity-lawyer-files-lawsuit|title=Celebrity lawyer files $100m lawsuit against Fyre festival organizers|date=May 1, 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=May 2, 2017}}

In 2020, Ja Rule developed a live-streaming app called Iconn Live.{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.59584/title.ja-rule-explains-how-his-iconn-app-is-different-from-fyre-fest-app|title=Ja Rule Explains How His ICONN App Is Different From Fyre Fest App|date=December 17, 2020|website=HipHopDX}} The app debuted on Apple TV in November 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/news/movies-tv/ja-rule-iconn-live-app-debut-apple-tv-1234712510/|title=Ja Rule's ICONN Live App Debuts On Apple TV|first=Marc|last=Griffin|website=Vibe.com|date=November 17, 2022}}

In 2021, Ja Rule partnered with a team of software engineers to launch Flipkick, a platform focusing on selling physical works of art as non-fungible tokens. Flipkick claims to be "the first company to offer cryptographic authentication of physical works of art sold as and linked to NFTs." To inaugurate the platform, Ja Rule listed for auction a painting he commissioned in 2012 by artist Tripp Derrick Barnes depicting the Fyre Media Inc logo. The painting was listed with an estimate of $600,000.{{Cite web|title=Rapper Ja Rule launches NFT platform—and is selling a painting from infamous Fyre Festival on it|url=http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/rapper-ja-rule-of-fyre-festival-infame-launches-platform-for-vips-to-sell-physical-nfts|access-date=March 19, 2021|website=www.theartnewspaper.com|date=March 16, 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Dailey|first=Natasha|title=Rapper Ja Rule is selling a physical painting from his Fyre Festival days as crypto art|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ja-rule-sells-nft-fyre-festival-painting-flipkick-2021-3|access-date=March 19, 2021|website=Business Insider}}

In June 2023, Ja Rule launched a premium wine label called Rose Vine Cellars.{{Cite web|url=https://theindustrycosign.com/spirits-ja-rule-rose-vine-cellars-red-rose-cabernet-sauvignon/|title=Ja Rule Launches Rose Vine Cellars|date=June 20, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/06/ja-rule-launches-premium-alexander-valley-wine-label/|title=Ja Rule launches premium Alexander Valley wine label|first=Sarah|last=Neish|date=June 20, 2023|website=The Drinks Business}}

In January 2025, Ja Rule launched a new whiskey brand called Amber & Opal.[https://www.forbes.com/sites/noelburgess/2025/01/13/exclusive-interview-with-hip-hop-icon-ja-rule-the-story-behind-his-new-whiskey-brand-amber--opal/ Hip-Hop Icon Ja Rule On The Story Behind His New Whiskey Brand, Amber & Opal]

Atkins earned his GED while in prison in February 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/189918/ja-rule-high-school-diploma-prison-ged/|title=Ja Rule Earns High School Diploma Behind Bars, Says Prison is "Amazing" [Video]|work=The Inquisitr News|date=June 17, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2015}} In February 2021, Atkins completed the four week online course Entrepreneurship Essentials at Harvard Business School and shared a photo of his certificate of completion on Twitter.{{Cite web|title=Rapper Ja Rule graduates from Harvard Business School|date=February 3, 2021|url=https://thesource.com/2021/02/03/ja-rule-graduates-from-harvard-business-school/}}

In April 2001, Ja Rule married Aisha Murray.{{cite magazine|last=Hughes|first=Zondra|date=April 2002|title=Ja Rule: rap star rules hearts & charts – Jeffrey Atkins|magazine=Ebony|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o9kDAAAAMBAJ |page=142}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=361|title=33 Things You Should Know About Ja Rule|last=Borow|first=Zev|work=Blender|date=August 2002|access-date=March 14, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227163002/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=361|archive-date=February 27, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2009/02/04/life-with-rapper-ja-rulewife-and-kids/|title=Life with Rapper Ja Rule, Wife, and Kids|date=February 4, 2009|work=BlackCelebrityKids|access-date=May 24, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608185801/http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2009/02/04/life-with-rapper-ja-rulewife-and-kids/|archive-date=June 8, 2009}} The couple has three children.{{cite web |url=http://ballerwives.com/2010/07/07/rapper-ja-rules-wife-aisha-murray/ |title=Rapper Ja Rule's Wife Aisha Murray (Photos – Pictures) |website=BallerWives.com |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-date=June 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617121020/http://ballerwives.com/2010/07/07/rapper-ja-rules-wife-aisha-murray/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0750019/bio|title=Ja Rule|website=IMDb.com|access-date=December 13, 2012}}

Raised as a Jehovah's Witness for most of his childhood, Ja Rule identifies as a Christian. He "reconnected with God" in 2013 while promoting the movie I'm in Love with a Church Girl. He was baptized, along with his wife, in 2013.{{cite news|title=Ja Rule's 'Unruly' path from jail to Christianity|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/16/showbiz/music/ja-rule-christian/ | work=CNN}}

Ja Rule partnered with Pencils of Promise to build a 6-unit classroom block for a school in Ghana. The construction project was finished in April 2025.[https://www.myjoyonline.com/ja-rule-builds-6-unit-classroom-block-for-nuaso-anglican-basic-school/ Ja Rule builds 6-unit classroom block for Nuaso Anglican Basic School][https://www.bellanaija.com/2024/11/ja-rule-ghana-school-project/#:~:text=The%20project%20began%20earlier%20this,a%20six%2Dunit%20classroom%20block. Ja Rule Shares Update on the School Project He’s Building in Ghana]

In 2003, he allegedly punched a man in Toronto, who later sued. He received a $1,200 fine after pleading guilty to assault.{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-03-07-ja-rule-apology_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA | title = Ja Rule apologizes for punching the man | newspaper = USA Today | date = March 7, 2005 | access-date = September 12, 2007}}

In 2004, police investigated whether a feud involving Murder Inc. led to a fatal shooting outside a nightclub party hosted by Ja Rule and Leon Richardson.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-12-29-nightclub-shooting_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA|title=Police probing nightclub shooting|newspaper=USA Today|date=December 29, 2004|access-date=September 12, 2007}}{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,162810,00.html|title=Ja Rule Target of Shooting Investigation|newspaper=New York Post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030180928/https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,162810,00.html|first=Murray|last=Weiss|archive-date=October 30, 2007|access-date=September 12, 2007}}

On July 1, 2004, Ja Rule was arrested for driving with a suspended license and possessing marijuana.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/02/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-rapper-and-tap-dancer-arrested.html|title=Rapper and Tap Dancer Arrested|last=Tavernise|first=Sabrina|date=July 2, 2004|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 1, 2009}}

In July 2007, Ja Rule was arrested for gun and drug possession charges along with Lil Wayne, who served eight months in prison during 2010 for attempted possession of a weapon stemming from the arrest.{{cite web|last=Shepherd|first=Julianne|title=Lil Wayne, Ja Rule Arrested After NY Performance|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/07/wayne_ja_rule_arrested/|work=Vibe|date=July 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415212128/http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/07/wayne_ja_rule_arrested/|archive-date=April 15, 2008}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/23/rappers.arrested/index.html|title= 2 hip-hop stars arrested in New York after concert|last=Brunswick|first=Deborah|date=July 23, 2007|website=CNN.com|access-date=January 21, 2010}}{{cite news |first=Melissa |last=Grace |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/12/13/2010-12-13_rapper_ja_rule_gets_twoyear_jail_sentence_after_pleading_guilty_to_attempted_wea.html |title=Rapper Ja Rule gets two year jail sentence after pleading guilty to weapon possession |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=December 13, 2010 |access-date=December 18, 2010 }} The court rejected Ja Rule's argument that the gun was illegally obtained evidence.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9615288|title=Judge: Gun Stays as Evidence in Ja Rule's NYC Case|date=January 20, 2010|work=ABCNews.com|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331134214/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9615288|archive-date=March 31, 2010|access-date=January 21, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/01/20/2010-01-20_judge_tosses_rapper_ja_rules_weed_plea_in_gun_case.html|title=Judge tosses rapper Ja Rule's 'weed' plea in gun case|last=Grace|first=Melissa|date=January 20, 2010|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=January 21, 2010}}

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 arrest. On March 8, 2011, Ja Rule's surrender date for his two-year prison sentence was set for June 8.{{cite web|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41989849/ns/today-entertainment/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312205719/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41989849/ns/today-entertainment |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2011 |title=Ja Rule to go to prison in June in NYC gun case - Entertainment - Music - TODAY.com |website=MSNBC |access-date=December 13, 2012}} He was first sent to Rikers Island, then later to a state facility in Upstate New York.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/08/new.york.rapper.prison/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 |title=Rapper Ja Rule to turn himself in for prison sentence Wednesday |website=CNN.com |date= June 8, 2011|access-date=December 13, 2012}}

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 and 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.theboombox.com/2011/07/19/ja-rule-receives-28-month-sentence-for-tax-evasion/ |title=Ja Rule Receives Additional Jail Time for Tax Evasion |first=Theo|last=Bark |date=July 19, 2011 |website=Theboombox.com|access-date=July 15, 2011}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22995/title.ja-rule-to-be-released-from-prison-in-gun-case|title=Ja Rule To Be Released From Prison In Gun Case|date=February 21, 2013|website=HipHopDX.com|access-date=March 9, 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.ruleyork.com/2013/05/breaking-news-ja-rule-has-been-released/#.UYkVMBTfdco.twitter|title=BREAKING NEWS: JA RULE HAS BEEN RELEASED!|website=Ruleyork.com|access-date=May 7, 2013}}

By July 1, 2017, Ja Rule faced more than a dozen lawsuits filed by ticket buyers and investors in the failed Fyre Festival and his partner in the venture, Billy McFarland, had been indicted for fraud.{{cite news|date=1 July 2017|title=Promoter of failed Fyre Festival arrested for wire fraud|work=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/fyre-fest-promoter-arrested-1.4187491}} In November 2019, charges were reportedly dropped against Ja Rule in connection with the lawsuits.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/nov/19/ja-rule-fyre-festival-lawsuit|title=Ja Rule cleared of wrongdoing over Fyre festival disaster|first=André|last=Wheeler|date=November 19, 2019|newspaper=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.53544/title.ja-rule-emerges-from-100m-frye-festival-lawsuit-without-a-cent-to-pay|title=Ja Rule Emerges From $100M Fyre Festival Lawsuit Without A Cent To Pay|date=November 21, 2019|website=HipHopDX}}

On February 28, 2024, Ja Rule was denied entry into the United Kingdom, days before his UK tour was due to start in Cardiff. He cited his criminal record as the reason for the refusal.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-28 |title=Rapper Ja Rule denied UK entry ahead of Cardiff gig |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-68425223 |access-date=2024-02-28 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

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 Ja Rule was "trying to be Tupac". 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. 50 Cent indirectly confirmed this in an interview with XXL Magazine, where 50 Cent states he was upset with Ja Rule for being under the aegis of Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. A confrontation occurred in Atlanta in which Ja Rule and his Murder Inc. crew was involved in a altercation with 50 Cent, which Ja got punched in the face by 50 Cent. Ja also claims he struck 50 Cent with a baseball bat, later his crew stepping in to beat up 50 Cent. Another confrontation occurred in 2000 while in The Hit Factory where rapper Black Child, a Murder Inc. artist, stabbed 50 Cent, causing a wound requiring four stitches.

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.

Since then, Black Child and other Murder Inc. rappers such as Cadillac Tah publicly insulted 50 Cent with "There's a Snitch in the Club" by Cadillac Tah, and "The Real Wanksta" by Black Child. In both songs, Black Child details violent actions directed toward 50 Cent. 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, Busta Rhymes, and the rest of the members of G-Unit, also became involved and released tracks which insulted Ja Rule.

Ja Rule later released R.U.L.E. which included the successful single "New York", featuring Jadakiss and Fat Joe, in which Ja Rule obliquely attacked 50 Cent. This single prompted 50 Cent to enter a feud with the two featured artists, reflected in his response, "Piggy Bank".

Although it seemed that the feud was over, Ja Rule returned with a track titled "21 Gunz".{{cite web|date= April 2006|url= http://www.allhiphop.com/rumors/?ID=1002|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060504185544/http://www.allhiphop.com/rumors/?ID=1002|archive-date= May 4, 2006|title= Hip-Hop Rumors: Kay Slay Doll, Ja Rule, Happy 1,000Th To Illseed!|website= Allhiphop.com|access-date=July 25, 2007}} 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.

In an interview with MTV, Ja Rule stated, in reference to his album, The Mirror:

{{blockquote|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].{{cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Jayson|date=12 July 2007|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1564678/20070712/ja_rule.jhtml|title= Ja Rule Leaves Bitterness — and 50 Cent Beef — Behind on New Album|publisher= MTV|access-date=21 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715121706/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1564678/20070712/ja_rule.jhtml|archive-date=July 15, 2007|url-status=dead}}}}

In May 2011, it was confirmed that both Ja Rule and 50 Cent had 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 Rule and 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. They told Martinez their immediate reaction on hearing 50 Cent's single, "In Da Club", on the radio was that it was "so dope" and that they had a problem with it. They also disclosed that they had been blackballed from various award shows where 50 Cent was to perform due to their feud. Notwithstanding seeing 50 Cent as a hustler, they liked his entrepreneurial mentality, and no longer had a problem with him 10 years after their feud. Ja Rule indicated he had plans to write a book surrounding the whole experience.

{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/110089/ja-rule-and-50-cent-squash-beef/ |title=Ja Rule and 50 Cent Squash Beef |website=Inquisitr.com |date=May 30, 2011 |access-date=December 13, 2012}}

In early 2018, after four years of taunting Ja Rule, 50 Cent reiginited the beef after he publicly dissed him on Big Boy's Neighborhood, leading to Ja Rule retaliating on Twitter the next day.{{cite magazine|last=Lamarre|first=Carl|date=January 19, 2018|url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8095111/ja-rule-disses-50-cent-twitter-beef|title= Ja Rule Refuels Feud With 50 Cent on Twitter: 'I Own Your Soul'|magazine= Billboard|access-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119192128/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8095111/ja-rule-disses-50-cent-twitter-beef|archive-date=January 19, 2018|url-status=live}}

{{unreliable sources|section|reason=Dead link, and blogs are not viable sources|date=June 2024}}

The conflict started after 50 Cent signed to Shady Records and Aftermath in 2002. Ja Rule and Irv Gotti expressed dissatisfaction with Eminem and Dr. Dre for signing an artist with whom they were in conflict and threatened to take action against them if they released any 50 Cent tracks deprecatory of Murder Inc.{{cite web|url=http://www.eminemlab.com/eminemenemies/jarule.html |title=Ja Rule – Eminem's Enemies |website=Eminemlab.com |access-date=March 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505073934/http://www.eminemlab.com/eminemenemies/jarule.html |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |url-status=usurped}}

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. In response, Eminem, D12, and Obie Trice released the deprecatory track "Hailie's Revenge (Doe Rae Mi)" featuring vocals from Eminem's daughter.{{cite web|url=https://gavinsblog.com/2004/02/how-ja-rule-started-problems-with-eminem/|title=How Ja Rule started problems with Eminem|date=February 19, 2004|website=Gavinsblog.com}}

Busta Rhymes joined the conflict when he was featured on the track "Hail Mary 2003" with Eminem and 50 Cent.{{cite web|url=https://hhvibe.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/busta-rhymes-makes-peace-with-ja-rule/|title=Busta Rhymes makes peace with Ja Rule|date=November 22, 2009|website=Hhvibe.wordpress.com}} The song, which is a remake of 2Pac's song "Hail Mary", was done partially as a response to Ja Rule's remake of another 2Pac track, "Pain" (re-titled "So Much Pain") and because they felt Ja Rule was “imitating” 2Pac.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1471203/eminem-says-if-tupac-were-alive-he-would-never-ride-with-ja/|title=Eminem Says If Tupac Were Alive, 'He Would Never Ride With Ja'|publisher=MTV|author=Reid, Shaheem|date=April 11, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030422225744/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471203/20030411/eminem.jhtml|archive-date=April 22, 2003}} Eminem prevented Ja Rule from appearing on any of the "new" 2Pac songs he produced, including those on Loyal to the Game.{{cite web|title=Eminem's Enemies, Rivals and Beefs: Ja Rule|url=http://www.eminemlab.com/eminemenemies/jarule.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731155034/http://www.eminemlab.com/eminemenemies/jarule.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 31, 2012|website=EminemLab.com|access-date=October 2, 2011}}

After Murder Inc. broke up in 1999 due to animosity between DMX and Jay-Z, DMX accused Ja Rule of copying his signature "gruff style", and the two subsequently fell out. On the single "Where the Hood At?", DMX disses Ja Rule by replicating lyrics from other Ja Rule songs, referring to Ja Rule's controversy of being labeled as homophobic in the lyrics such as "I show no love to homo thugs" or "Last time I checked, you niggas having sex with the same sex".{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} Ja Rule responded with several disses on his album, Blood in My Eye, including "Clap Back".{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} DMX said that he wanted the dispute to end when he was released from jail in 2005: "[Irv] Gotti came to me in jail and said I want to make peace with you and him. I was like, 'All right, Gotti, let's do it man."[http://news.superiorpics.com/2006/09/28/DMX_ENDS_FEUD_WITH_JA_RULE.html] {{dead link|date=June 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} DMX and Ja Rule finally ended their feud at VH1's 2009 Hip Hop Honors.{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Grouchy Greg |date=2009-09-24 |title=DMX Officially Ends Feud With Ja Rule |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/dmx-officially-ends-feud-with-ja-rule/ |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}

By his association with DMX, Ja Rule was brought into the beef between DMX and Kurupt, being dissed on Kurupt's 1999 song "Callin' Out Names". Ja Rule responded with "Still INC" featuring Black Child and Cadillac Tah, a freestyle over Dr. Dre's "Still D.R.E." beat. The two eventually squashed their beef on the set of the movie Half Past Dead in 2002.{{cite web |title=Kurupt Says No To Beef: It's All Love For Ja Rule, Pork Ribs |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458768/kurupt-says-no-to-beef-its-all-love-for-ja-rule-pork-ribs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803074937/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458768/kurupt-says-no-to-beef-its-all-love-for-ja-rule-pork-ribs/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=May 31, 2018 |website=Mtv.com}}

In October 2002, rapper Foxy Brown dismissed reports of recording a track with rivals Nas and Ja Rule that was "potentially" deprecatory of Jay-Z.{{citation|author=Clarke, Antoine|title=A Fox in Sheep's Clothing|newspaper=F.E.D.S.|date=October 2002|volume=3|issue=10|isbn=9780060959982}} During a Thanksgiving week interview in 2002, while on Doug Banks In the Morning, Ja Rule stated that he "[couldn't] stand Foxy Brown."{{cite web|last=Oh|first=Minya|title=Mixtape Mondays: DJ Clue|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459284/mixtape-mondays-dj-clue.jhtml|website=MTV.com|date=December 23, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030104114042/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459284/20021223/story.jhtml|archive-date=January 4, 2003|access-date=March 28, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Foxy Brown- Pt 2 Doug Banks In the Morning Interview| date=April 8, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EPdi4oxYZM&t=431 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/5EPdi4oxYZM| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=March 28, 2014}}{{cbignore}} Brown reportedly heard Ja Rule's comments via a radio while she was helping her mother clean her house. Going against her manager's wishes, during her own interview with Doug Banks, Brown informed Banks that she was "flabbergasted" by Rule's comments. Brown explained she was particularly angry at Rule's response, having never met him.

The incident provoked Brown to record the unreleased, "Get Off Me".{{cite web|last=Samuel |first=Steven |title=Daily Hip-Hop News: Foxy Claws at Eve... Jay! |url=http://sohh.com/thewire/read.php?contentID=4141 |publisher=Internet Archive Wayback Machine |date=December 18, 2002 |access-date=March 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603061116/http://www.sohh.com/thewire/read.php?contentID=4141 |archive-date=June 3, 2004 }} In the record, Brown targeted Ja Rule and Eve with homophobic remarks. 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.{{cite news|last=Weiss|first=Murray|title=HEAT ON JA RULE – EYED BY FEDS IN MIDTOWN GUN SLAY|url=https://nypost.com/2005/07/18/heat-on-ja-rule-eyed-by-feds-in-midtown-gun-slay/|website=NYPost.com|date=July 18, 2005|access-date=March 28, 2014}}

In September 2009, Ja Rule and Foxy Brown ended their beef at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors, where they celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of their former label, Def Jam Recordings.{{Cite web |title=dmx-jada-foxy-ja-rule-1200x738.jpg |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/dmx-jada-foxy-ja-rule-1200x738.jpg |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=HipHop-n-More.com}} The feud was squashed after both rappers shared a photo with ex-labelmates DMX and Ludacris.{{Cite web |title=Flick: Luda, DMX, Foxy, & Ja Rule Make Nice |url=http://rapradar.com/2009/09/24/flick-luda-dmx-foxy-ja-rule-make-nice/ |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=Rap Radar |date=September 24, 2009 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2009-12-22 |title=N.O.R.E. – 'Stay Flawless' (Feat. DMX, Ja Rule & Yummy Bingham) |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2009/12/nore-stay-flawless-feat-dmx-ja-rule-yummy-bingham/ |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=HipHop-N-More |language=en-US}}

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.{{citation|last=J. Solomon|first=Akiba|title=The Big Picture|newspaper=Vibe|date=July 2003|volume=11|issue=7|pages=110–111|issn=1070-4701}} Ja Rule and the Murda, Inc., clique were outraged. In response, Ja Rule released "Loose Change", a track deprecatory of Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Chris Lighty and Lil' Mo. Rule rechristened Mo a "bitch", and credited himself with causing her popularity.{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Ja Rule Calls 50 'Loose Change,' Disses 'Feminem' And Dr. Dre|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471038/ja-rule-calls-50-loose-change.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210052727/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471038/ja-rule-calls-50-loose-change.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 10, 2012|website=MTV.com|date=April 4, 2003|access-date=January 16, 2014}} In May 2003, Mo released a freestyle track attacking Ja Rule, where she interpolated the Dr. Dre lyrics "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", used in his 1993 Eazy-E diss track "Fuck wit Dre Day".{{cite web|title=For The Record: Quick News On Lil' Mo And Ja Rule, Eminem, 'American Idol,' Luther Vandross, P.O.D. & More|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471821/record-quick-news-on-lil-mo-ja-rule-eminem-american-idol-luther-vandross-pod-more.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101022324/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471821/record-quick-news-on-lil-mo-ja-rule-eminem-american-idol-luther-vandross-pod-more.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 1, 2014|website=MTV.com|date=May 9, 2003|access-date=January 16, 2014}}

In April 2003, Lil' Mo sparked additional controversy, complaining of receiving neither recognition nor payment for her contributions to Rule's records "I Cry" and "Put It on Me".{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Lil' Mo Wants To Drop Beef With Ja Rule And Focus On Family|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471311/lil-mo-wants-no-beef-with-ja.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616144556/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471311/lil-mo-wants-no-beef-with-ja.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2013|website=MTV.com|date=April 16, 2003|access-date=May 21, 2013}} 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]." By way of contrast, she highlighted Jay-Z's having given her recognition, a plaque, a thank you card and a bottle of Cristal for her work on his "Parking Lot Pimpin'". In 2005, Lil' Mo filed a lawsuit against Ja Rule, Murda Inc. and Def Jam Records for over $15 million.{{cite web|last=Watkins|first=Greg|title=Lil' Mo Filing Lawsuit Against Ja Rule, Murder Inc. & Def Jam|url=http://allhiphop.com/2005/08/12/lil-mo-filing-lawsuit-against-ja-rule-murder-inc-def-jam/|work=AllHipHop|date=August 12, 2005|access-date=January 16, 2014}} In 2010, the two reconciled. Lil' Mo stated that she ended the dispute as Ja Rule's career was in decline and noted that "life is too short ... You just never know what people are going through."{{cite web|title=LIL MO DOESNT HAVE A ANSWER WHY FABOLOUS WONT DO A SONG WITH HER?|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofAHORVLUqk&t=386 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ofAHORVLUqk| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|work=Superstar Radio| date=April 14, 2011 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=January 16, 2014}}{{cbignore}} In 2011, the two reunited and recorded a track together titled, "U & Me".{{cite web|title=Ja Rule Ft. Lil Mo – U & Me|url=http://www.hiphoplead.com/music/ja-rule-u-me/|website=HipHopLead.com|date=February 10, 2011|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201203604/http://www.hiphoplead.com/music/ja-rule-u-me/|url-status=usurped}}{{cite web|title=Ja Rule – U & Me (Feat. Lil' Mo) (2011)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNH0kIMzX1k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/KNH0kIMzX1k| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|date=February 9, 2011|access-date=January 16, 2014}}{{cbignore}}

File:Ja Rule in 2010 at a show.jpg

{{Main|Ja Rule discography}}

Studio albums

• Venni Vetti Vecci (1999)
• Rule 3:36 (2000)
• Pain Is Love (2001)
• The Last Temptation (2002)
• Blood in My Eye (2003)
• R.U.L.E. (2004)
• Pain Is Love 2 (2012)

;American Music Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2002

|Himself

|Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2003

|Himself

|Favorite Hip-Hop/R&B Male Artist

|{{nom}}

|-

|}

;BET Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2001

|Himself

|Best Male Hip-Hop Artist

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2002

|Himself

|Best Male Hip-Hop Artist

|{{won}}

|-

|}

;GQ Men of the Year Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2002

|Himself

|Musician of the Year

|{{won}}

|-

|}

;Grammy Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=3|2002

|"Livin' It Up" (with Case)

|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

|{{nom}}

|-

|"Put It on Me" (with Lil' Mo and Vita)

|Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group

|{{nom}}

|-

|Pain Is Love

|Best Rap Album

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2003

|"Always on Time" (with Ashanti)

|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

|{{nom}}

|-

|}

;MTV Video Music Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2001

|"Put It on Me" (with Lil' Mo and Vita)

|Best Hip-Hop Video

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=2|2002

|"I'm Real (Murder Remix)" (with Jennifer Lopez)

|Best Hip-Hop Video

|{{won}}

|-

|"Always on Time" (with Ashanti)

|Best Hip-Hop Video

|{{nom}}

|-

|}

;NAACP Image Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2002

|Himself

|Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist

|{{won}}

|-

|}

;Soul Train Music Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2002

|Himself

|Best Rap/Soul or Rap Album of the Year

|{{nom}}

|-

|}

;Teen Choice Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=1|2002

|Himself

|Choice Male Artist

|{{won}}

|-

|}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Ja Rule}}

• {{IMDb name|0750019}}

{{Ja Rule}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Ja Rule

|list =

{{BET Award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video}}

}}

{{Def Jam Recordings}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ja Rule}}

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:African-American Christians

Category:African-American male actors

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:American hip-hop singers

Category:American male film actors

Category:American people convicted of drug offenses

Category:Def Jam Recordings artists

Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians

Category:Former Jehovah's Witnesses

Category:Gangsta rappers

Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists

Category:New York (state) Democrats

Category:People from Hollis, Queens

Category:Prisoners and detainees of New York (state)

Category:Rappers from Queens, New York

Category:Pop rappers

Category:Murder Inc. Records artists

Category:TVT Records artists

Category:World Music Awards winners

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:21st-century American criminals

Category:Criminals from New York City

Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:20th-century African-American musicians

Category:American prisoners and detainees

Category:Murder Inc. (rap group) members