Ja Rule facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ja Rule
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Ja Rule in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jeffrey Bruce Atkins |
| Also known as | Ja |
| Born | February 29, 1976 Queens, New York City, U.S. |
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| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
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Jeffrey Bruce Atkins (born February 29, 1976), known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor. He grew up in the Queens borough of New York City. Ja Rule became famous for mixing tough gangsta rap with catchy pop and R&B sounds.
He signed with Irv Gotti's record label, Murder Inc Records, which was part of Def Jam Recordings. His first album, Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), featured his first big hit, "Holla Holla". By 2001, he had several number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. These included "Put It on Me" and "Always on Time". He also appeared on hit songs by Jennifer Lopez, like "I'm Real" and "Ain't It Funny".
Ja Rule has sold over 30 million records worldwide. His albums Rule 3:36 (2000) and Pain Is Love (2001) were very successful. They both reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. He has been nominated for four Grammy Awards.
Besides music, Ja Rule is also an actor. He has appeared in movies like The Fast and the Furious (2001), Scary Movie 3 (2003), and Assault on Precinct 13 (2005). In 2019, he joined the cast of the TV show Growing Up Hip Hop: New York.
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Early Life
Jeffrey Bruce Atkins was born in Hollis, a neighborhood in Queens, New York City. His father left when he was very young. He was raised as an only child.
His mother, Debra, was a healthcare worker who worked long hours. Because of this, Jeffrey was mostly raised by his grandparents as a Jehovah's Witness. When he was twelve, his mother left the religion. This caused a difficult situation where her parents were no longer supposed to see her. Jeffrey and his mother decided to live together, even though it was hard for them financially.
Music Career
Starting Out in a Group
Ja Rule began his rap career in 1994 in a hip-hop group called Cash Money Click. He chose the stage name "Ja Rule" because it was a name a friend used for him. The group worked with producer DJ Irv and released a few songs. However, the group's plans for an album stopped when one member had legal troubles. The group soon broke up.
Going Solo and First Album
Ja Rule stayed close with DJ Irv, who was now known as Irv Gotti. Gotti helped him get a record deal with Def Jam. In 1995, Ja Rule appeared on a song called "Time to Build" with future stars Jay-Z and DMX.
Gotti started his own record label under Def Jam, called Murder Inc. Records. Ja Rule became the label's main artist. His first single, "Holla Holla", came out in March 1999 and was a big hit. This success led to his first album, Venni Vetti Vecci, which was released in 1999. The album sold very well and became certified platinum, meaning it sold over a million copies.
Becoming a Superstar (2000–2002)
Ja Rule's second album, Rule 3:36 (2000), had a more pop-friendly sound. The single "Between Me and You" became a top hit. His next single, "Put It on Me", reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video was so popular it was the first to be "retired" from the TV show 106 & Park after being on the countdown for over 60 days. Rule 3:36 debuted at number 1 on the charts.
His success continued with his third album, Pain Is Love (2001). This album had three top-10 singles. "Livin' It Up" was a hit in both the U.S. and the U.K. The song "Always on Time", featuring a new artist named Ashanti, became Ja Rule's first number-one song. He also topped the charts with a remix of Jennifer Lopez's song "I'm Real". Pain Is Love also hit number 1 and sold millions of copies.
Ja Rule's fourth album, The Last Temptation (2002), also did well. It included the hit songs "Thug Lovin'" and "Mesmerize", another popular duet with Ashanti.
Rivalry and New Albums (2003–2004)
Around this time, Ja Rule had a well-known rivalry with another rapper from Queens, 50 Cent. The two rappers often traded insults on the radio and in songs.
In 2003, Ja Rule released his fifth album, Blood in My Eye. The album had a tougher, more aggressive sound. It was aimed at the rappers he had disagreements with. The single "Clap Back" was a hit from this album.
His sixth album, R.U.L.E., came out in 2004. It featured the hit single "Wonderful", with R. Kelly and Ashanti. Another popular song from the album was "New York", featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss.
Taking a Break
After releasing a greatest hits album in 2005, Ja Rule took a break from making music. His record label, The Inc. Records, also faced some business challenges. In 2007, Ja Rule started his own record label called Mpire Music Group.
Return to Music
In 2011, Ja Rule began working on a new album called Pain Is Love 2. It was released in February 2012. By the time it came out, Ja Rule was serving a prison sentence for legal issues.
He was released in May 2013. He quickly returned to music, releasing new tracks like "Fresh Out Da Pen" and "Everything". He also confirmed that he and Irv Gotti had relaunched their record label, Murder Inc.
Recent Work and Other Projects
In 2014, Ja Rule released a book about his life called Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming a Man. He and his family also starred in a reality TV show called Follow the Rules, which started in 2015.
He has continued to release music and collaborate with other artists. In 2018, Ashanti confirmed that she and Ja Rule were working on a new album together. In 2021, he released the single "Sincerely, Jeffrey" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his album Pain is Love.
Acting Career
Ja Rule has acted in many movies. He had a small role in the popular film The Fast and the Furious. He co-starred with Steven Seagal in Half Past Dead and appeared in Assault on Precinct 13. He also starred in the movie I'm in Love with a Church Girl in 2013.
Personal Life
In April 2001, Ja Rule married his wife, Aisha Murray. They have three children together.
Ja Rule was raised as a Jehovah's Witness but now identifies as a Christian. He and his wife were baptized in 2013.
In 2012, he earned his GED (a high school diploma equivalent). In 2021, he completed an online business course at Harvard Business School.
Charity Work
Ja Rule has worked with an organization called Pencils of Promise. He helped fund the building of a new school building in Ghana. The project was completed in April 2025.
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)
Images for kids
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Ja Rule performs at halftime during the WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center in 2024, pictured here with the NY Liberty's Ellie the Elephant
See also
In Spanish: Ja Rule para niños
