Rapper/actor Ja Rule (real name Jeffrey Atkins) had several top ten hits in the early 2000s. He was one of the first artists to successfully mix hip hop and R&B;, which helped to catapult him to superstardom, before his fall from the charts in 2005. While he has been around for a fairly short time, he has been a prolific rapper, producing 8 albums in just over 10 years. The following list takes a decade of Ja Rule music and cuts it down to the 10 best songs.
10. Ja Rule Featuring Case- “Suicide Freestyle” from Venni Vetti Vecci
While this song is short (just over 2 minutes), it packs a heavy punch. It was one of Ja Rule’s first examples of mixing hip hop with R&B;, featuring Case singing a strong hook and Ja Rule rapping over a very mellow beat. Suicide Freestyle’s” lyrics touch on what it’s like to just want to live life in the fast lane and make money, before reaching certain death.
9. Ja Rule Featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss- “New York” from R.U.L.E.
“New York” is, essentially, a song attacking 50 Cent and the rest of Shady Records. While 50 Cent and Shady Records arguably won the “beef” with Ja Rule, ultimately leading to the decline in Ja Rule’s popularity, “New York” stands as one of Ja Rule’s hardest diss tracks. With fellow rappers Fat Joe and Jadakiss, both popular at the time, Ja Rule takes on 50 Cent. This track stands as one of the strongest tracks from the “beef”, by either artist.
8. Ja Rule Featuring 2Pac- “So Much Pain” from Pain Is Love
“So Much Pain” is basically a cover of 2Pac’s “Pain”, with Ja Rule adding some of his own pieces. The thing that stands out about this track is the production, and the way Ja Rule incorporated his own lyrics with 2Pac’s. It’s amazing how this song sounds like 2Pac and Ja Rule were in the booth together, when it was made years after 2Pac’s death.
7. Ja Rule Featuring Case- “Livin’ It Up” from Pain Is Love
One of 2001/2002’s best party anthems, “Livin’ It Up” is an upbeat song with lyrics pushing the listener to “live it up”. If you want to party with friends, turn this song on to get things started.
6. Ja Rule Featuring Lil’ Mo- “I Cry” from Rule 3:36
One of Ja Rule’s more emotional songs, “I Cry” features a weak hook from Lil’ Mo, but very strong lyrics from Ja Rule. The groovy, slow beat works well with Ja Rule’s low, raspy voice as he raps about death and the pain of losing people in your life. “I Cry” is very introspective and done in a style that Ja Rule seemed to abandon later on in his career.
5. Ja Rule Featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti- “Wonderful” from R.U.L.E.
Wonderful” was one of Ja Rule’s last hit songs and is supported by strong performances from both R. Kelly and Ashanti. The tack is upbeat and features Ja Rule rapping about his life, his successes, and his future.
4. Ja Rule- “Race Against Time” from Venni Vetti Vecci
Another song about living life in the fast lane, “Race Against Time” is a rather depressing song, but is supported by strong lyrics from Ja Rule. The chorus sums up the song well, and tells of Ja Rule’s struggles with life and his attempts to survive it. Race Against Time” gets such a high mention on this top 10 because it is Ja Rule’s best introspective song and is done in a style that seems to have been dropped by the artist later in his career.
3. Ja Rule Featuring Jennifer Lopez- “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” from Pain Is Love
I’m Real” was a number one hit for Ja Rule, and perfectly showcases the blend of hip hop and R&B; that Ja Rule made famous. Essentially, “I’m Real” is a love song featuring great back-and-forth lyrics between Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez, describing what attracts each one to the other.
2. Ja Rule- “6 Feet Underground” from Rule 3:36
The first thing that you hear when “6 Feet Underground” comes on is what can best be described as a “Chipmunk voice”, opening with the hook over an incredibly fast beat. “6 Feet Underground” is a track about death and enemies. The thing that makes it stand above other tracks with the same theme is its execution. The fast beat, the weird “chipmunk voice” and Ja Rule’s deep voice meld perfectly together to create something that you wouldn’t think would work, but really does, in the most awesome way.
1. Ja Rule Featuring Vita- “Put It On Me” from Rule 3:36
“Put It On Me” is a classic song. At its essence, it’s a love song featuring Ja Rule rapping about a relationship with a girl, and Vita rapping a very strong verse about a man. After 10 years, this song still sounds fresh and is a love anthem for people that were teens during the early 2000s, giving it the top spot in Ja Rule’s top 10 songs.
Sources:
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ja+Rule
