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Jeffrey Atkins (born February 29, 1976),[1] better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor formerly signed to The Inc. and Universal Records, formerly of Def Jam Recordings. A Hollis, New York native, Ja Rule has released six albums.
[edit] Early lifeAtkins was born in Queens, New York. He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness by his mother, health care worker Debra Atkins,[2] and grandparents. At the age of five his sister died from breathing complications, leaving him as an only child. He attended PS 132, a mixed school, but was later transferred to MS 172, another mixed school, due to daily fights in which he would be involved.[3] [edit] Music careerAtkins began his rap career in 1994 with 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".[4] 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. [edit] Venni Vetti Vecci (1999)His debut album Venni Vetti Vecci was released in 1999. Singles included "Holla Holla" and "It's Murda" with Jay-Z and DMX. The final single was "Daddy's Little Baby", a duet with Ronald Isley. Venni Vetti Vecci was certified platinum by the RIAA on July 12, 1999. [edit] Rule 3:36 (2000)Ja Rule returned quickly during the summer of 2000, with his new single "Between Me and You", which featured Def Soul act Christina Milian. The single was quickly followed by Ja's second but very successful effort, Rule 3:36, which was released on October 10, 2000. 3:36 also featured singles "Put It On Me", "I Cry" and, "Fuck You" from the Fast and the Furious Soundtrack. The album featured guest appearances from Lil Mo, Vita, Christina Milian, label mates Jayo Felony, and Black Child. Rule 3:36 debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts and eventually went 3x Platinum. [edit] Pain Is Love (2001)Soon after the release of Rule 3:36, Irv Gotti signed R&B singer Ashanti to the label, which led to Lil Mo ending her collaborations with the label. During the late summer of 2001, Ja Rule released "Livin' It Up", the lead single from his third studio album, Pain Is Love, which proved to be a very successful album. The second single was the "I'm Real (remix)", and the third was "Always On Time", and the last was "Down Ass Bitch". Pain Is Love featured guest appearances from Case, The Murder Inc. Family, Missy Elliott, Jodie Mack, Tweet, Jennifer Lopez and a recording from the late Tupac Shakur. Along with its critical success it was also a commercial success, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200. It has reached 3x Platinum certification in the U.S. [edit] The Last Temptation (2002)The Last Temptation, Ja Rule's fourth album, was released on November 19, 2002. It featured the singles "Thug Lovin'" and "Mesmerize." 341,000 copies were sold in the first week of release. Although it did not sell as well as his previous album, The Last Temptation was certified Platinum by December 25, 2002. It was after this album that the '50 Cent & G Unit' era began, which would negatively affect Ja's future projects and career in general. [edit] Blood In My Eye (2003)Blood In My Eye although intended to be a mixtape, was his fifth album and the last released under the "Murder Inc." label, which renamed itself "The Inc." several days after the album release. It spawned the one and only hit "Clap Back" that won him the Source Awards'"Fat Tape" song of the year. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[5] In October 2003, Ja Rule met with Minster Louis Farrakhan, who wanted to intervene and prevent escalating violence in the feud between Ja Rule and 50 Cent.[6] [edit] R.U.L.E. (2004)Ja Rule's sixth studio album R.U.L.E. was released in November 2004. Its lead single was "Wonderful" featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti, followed by the street anthem "New York" featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss and the love song "Caught Up" featuring Lloyd and Ashanti. The track "The Manual" was also a single in the UK. The RIAA certified R.U.L.E. Gold on January 14, 2005. [edit] Hiatus, departure from Def Jam (2005-2007)On December 6, 2005, The Inc. released Exodus, a greatest hits album, which contained the new songs "Exodus (Intro)", "Me" and "Exodus (Outro)". 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.[1] In 2005, The Inc. Records came under investigation because of drug trades by Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, who was associated with Irv Gotti.[7] 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 (ironically part of the same company as Def Jam). [edit] The Mirror (2007-2009)The first single of his eighth album The Mirror, "Uh-Ohhh!", featuring Lil Wayne, came out in August 2007. It peaked at #69 on the U.S Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and #107 on the Billboard 200. Two other singles released after were "Body" featuring Ashley Joi, which peaked at #71 on the U.S Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and "Sunset" featuring The Game.[1] Originally, The Mirror was to be released on September 12, 2007,[8] then delayed to November 13.[9] That release date was delayed, and further delayed for an October 14 release. That too, was delayed.[1] Ja Rule's official Myspace page states a "Coming Soon!" release for the album, and the JaRule.net website later listed a 2008 release time frame for The Mirror. Addressing the leak of tracks from his original version of The Mirror, Ja Rule announced in a 2009 interview with HipHopDX that he would record an entirely new album, The Mirror: Reloaded.[10] The original version of The Mirror was released as a free online download on July 31, 2009.[11] In 2009, Ja Rule recorded a new song with Brazilian singer Wanessa, "Fly", sung entirely in English despite the singer's nationality. The song also received a version named "Meu Momento", also featuring Ja Rule, in which Wanessa sings in Portuguese.[12] "Fly" was released as a single in Brazil in April. The song is ranked number #1 on Crowley/Brazil[13], and it was nominated in the "Hit do Ano" ("Hit Song of the Year") category at the 2009 MTV Video Music Brasil awards show, where Ja Rule and Wanessa performed together for the first time.[14] According to MTV Brasil, he also plans to release a new mixtape this year, called "Welcome To Rule York".[15] Ja Rule also recently ended his long running feud with his former Def Jam labelmate DMX at VH1's 2009 Hip Hop Honors.[16] Ja Rule has announced that he is no longer signed to The Inc. Records, the label he has been with since its beginnings in 1997. [17] [edit] Venni Vetti Vecci 2010 (2010)Two tracks titled "Do I" and "Hollywood" leaked in 2009 from Ja Rule's upcoming album VVV 2010 which is scheduled to be released on June 1, 2010. Ja Rule has signed a distribution deal for his record label "MPire Music Group" through Universal Music Group. [edit] Personal life[edit] FamilyIn April 2001, Ja Rule married Aisha Atkins;[18] whom he met in high school.[19] They have two sons, Jeffrey Jr. (born 2000) and Jordan (born 2004), and daughter Britney (born 1995).[18][20] [edit] Criminal chargesIn 2003, he had punched a man in Toronto, who later sued Ja Rule, but they settled out of court. [21] In 2004, police investigated whether a feud involving The Inc. led to fatal shooting outside a nightclub party hosted by Ja Rule.[22][23] Ja Rule was also arrested that year for driving with a suspended license and possessing marijuana on July 1.[24] In July 2007, Ja Rule was arrested for gun and drug possession charges along with Lil Wayne. [edit] Controversial comments regarding homosexualsWhen interviewed for an article in the September 2007 issue of Complex magazine, Ja Rule spoke against media depiction of homosexuality:
For the latter comment he was publicly impugned by the GLAAD:
During an interview with online MySpace interview channel The Hook Up on October 24, 2007, Ja Rule claimed that Complex magazine had misquoted him, and that he is "not at all" homophobic.[27] He went on in a January 2008 issue of XXL magazine to state his words were taken out of context. He is quoted as stating:
[edit] PhilanthrophyJa Rule founded the L.I.F.E Foundation, which opens its doors to underprivileged children through various programs such as art, music, poetry and sports.[29] [edit] DiscographyMain article: Ja Rule discography [edit] Albums
[edit] Compilations
[edit] Awards and nominations
[edit] Acting careerDuring his break from rapping, Ja Rule had an appearance as another street racer in The Fast and the Furious with Vin Diesel. He appeared in the 2004 movie Back in The Day along with Ving Rhames and Pam Grier. He also starred in the movie The Cookout with Queen Latifah. He is currently working on the movie Don't Fade Away.[17] [edit] Filmography
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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