Jeffrey Atkins Jr, more commonly known as Ja Rule, is one of the most influential hip hop artists of the early 21st century. His songs have been featured in films, television, video games, and have been sampled by other artists. He has sold over 30 million records worldwide, making him one of the most successful artists in the music industry. He has been nominated for several Grammy awards and has won a BET award for Best Male Hip Hop Artist. Ja Rule has been a major influence in the rap game since the early 2000s and is considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation.
Early Life and Career
Jeffrey Atkins Jr was born in Queens, New York in February of 1976. He began rapping at the age of twelve, and by the age of sixteen had released his first demo tape. His first studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci, was released in 1999 and was a commercial success. It featured the hit singles “Holla Holla” and “Between Me and You”, both of which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This album was followed by the equally successful Rule 3:36 and Pain is Love.
In the early 2000s, Ja Rule achieved even greater success with his albums The Last Temptation, Blood in My Eye, and R.U.L.E. The hits “Always on Time”, “Livin’ It Up”, and “Mesmerize” were all featured on these albums, and reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ja Rule also collaborated with other popular artists such as Ashanti, Jennifer Lopez, and Snoop Dogg.
Collaborations and Business Ventures
In addition to his work as a solo artist, Ja Rule has been featured on many successful collaborations with other artists. He has collaborated with Ashanti on their duet “Always On Time”, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He has also worked with Jennifer Lopez on the hit single “I’m Real”, and with Lil’ Mo on their duet “Put It On Me”. These collaborations have all been successful, and have helped to increase Ja Rule’s popularity and mainstream success.
In addition to his music career, Ja Rule has also ventured into other business ventures. He has his own clothing line, called Fyre, which was launched in 2003. He also co-founded a record label called Murder Inc., which was later renamed The Inc. Records. In 2011, he launched a social networking site called Iconn, which was intended to help connect fans and artists.
Personal Life
In 2004, Ja Rule married Aisha Murray. They have two children, Brittany and Jeffrey Jr. He also has an older daughter, Brittney, from a previous relationship. In 2011, Ja Rule was sentenced to two years in prison for gun and tax evasion charges. During his time in prison, he wrote a book entitled, “Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming a Man”. He also wrote a memoir about his life, titled “Pain Is Love”.
Legacy
Ja Rule has had a long and successful career in the music industry. His albums have consistently gone multi-platinum and he has achieved numerous awards and nominations. Due to his success, he has become one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation. He has also ventured into other business ventures, such as his clothing line and record label. Ja Rule has made a lasting impact on the music scene and will continue to be remembered for his contributions to the genre.
