RULE (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Ja Rule

...me endure through everything." Ja Rule on his feelings on the album.

THE INC INTRO
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This sounds like a clap happy church and uses a sample from the Civil War film Glory.

Best bit: To be honest I would rather there not be an intro so I don't think there is a best bit.

LAST OF THE MOHICANS FT BLACK ...
...back and enjoy the Ja Rule album for what it should be - Ja Rule!!

I find that I'm desperately waiting for Ja's verse, which here isn't really worth the wait. It's strategically placed last so that you are forced to listen to his friends verses but Ja doesn't deliver a good enough few lines here to warrant sitting through the whole song. I suggest the skip button.

Best bit: 3 minutes and 38 seconds into the track: the ... more

THE STORY SO FAR
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Ja Rule's debut "Venni Vetti Vicci" was the ultimate in grimy, hardcore street rap. He developed a following but soon lost them with the release of his sophomore album "Rule 3:36". He gained a new, commercial following, but lost some of his street credibility. "Pain Is Love" followed the commercial success of "Rule 3:36" and became his second triple platinum album. It also created a whole new sub genre of music, with the first hip hop and RnB collaborations on here. "The Last Temptation" stuck to this formula ignoring what the critics said of his turn into hip-pop. Ja's fifth album was meant to be called "Venni Vetti Vicci" again, as he would of hoped to have came, saw and conquered the hip hop world by this time, and it was to be his last album.

However the year before it's release new artist 50 Cent started a beef that cost Ja nearly all his fans and credibility. Ja had to re think and instead released the stop gap album "Blood In My Eye" which was his reply to everything that had been said over the year. The album didn't do well sales wise, but 'beef' wise, it made him win the battle hands down, taking not only 50 down but many others including Eminem, DMX and Dr Dre. While "Blood In My Eye" was never meant for commercial success, it answered the battles and let him get back to business and was essential in order for him to release "R.U.L.E".

THE ALBUM
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This album goes back to the successful mix of street records and commercial records, although I feel it swaying largely to the commercial side, which in my eyes is a good thing.

The production throughout the album is second to none, with grounding beats and melodic hooks in nearly every track.

Lyrically and performance wise Ja is at his peak here, it seems his years in the business have gained him the experience to make a truly outstanding album. With six albums in as many years, a lot of artists would run out of subject matter, and the songs would become tired. In short, most artists should have retired by now, but Ja is better than ever here.

"This R.U.L.E. album is real special, because when you make records, you're telling stories. Things you've been through, and sh*t you've seen. Whatever. It's always a story that you're telling to the public, that listeners never know if it's real or not. They never really know if it's authentic or not, unless you've been in the game as long as I have, and you've been through all I've been through. Now, people know exactly what I'm talking about on the records. This album is really special 'cause people can really relate to what I'm saying on it. They've been through all of the things with me. I feel people can really relate and feel this album more than my other ones 'cause they have seen me endure through everything." Ja Rule on his feelings on the album.

THE INC INTRO
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This sounds like a clap happy church and uses a sample from the Civil War film Glory.

Best bit: To be honest I would rather there not be an intro so I don't think there is a best bit.

LAST OF THE MOHICANS FT BLACK CHILD
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Quite a good start to the album but not one of Ja's best tracks. It's somewhere in between his dark side and his commercial side. There is no catchy tune or chorus here but it doesn't feel quite as gritty as his "Venni Vetti Vicci" style songs although it does perhaps stray more towards this style than his commercial side. It goes back somewhat to the style that initially found Ja his recognition and this shows he remembers what got him where he is today.

It has a powerful, intense beat and the instrumental is filled with base. Production is great and the music really complitments Ja's voice here.

Black Child spoils the track for me, if you think Ja sounds gruff and angry you clearly have never heard Black Child - he's just a noise, and not a pleasant one at that.

Best bit: I find it hard to pick one out here actually.

WONDERFUL FT R KELLY & ASHANTI
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Ja is back in full commercial flow, accompanied mainly by R Kelly with Ashanti singing at minimum on the chorus. This is the side of him I love, and I don't care how un cool that is, the music sounds good to me and that's all I'm looking for when listening to a CD! This is hip-pop/RnB at its best!

This is the first thing my little girl has ever sung - and completely of her own accord - she has started doing the "oh oh oh uh oh" bit in exactly the right timing!

The song ponders over whether people would still love them if it wasn't for all the fame and money and things they have.

It sees Ja slightly exasperated that us women know how to prey on his weakness to get what they want; "the power of the p-u-s-s-y" Poor Ja, he's no hope really when women are using that against him (!)

The concept of what they're singing about has, no doubt, been done before but I can't help but feel for him here; "If it wasn't for the money and the things I got, Sh*t, she probably wouldn't like me". There's a sincerity to it. I think he does know that a lot of the popularity he has with women is from him being Ja Rule, not Jeffery Atkins. When he first made Wonderful it was a track just for him about what he was feeling and that shows here.

Although the song feels quite upbeat, poppy and summery, Ja seems to show a lot of hurt in this song. He's been through a lot these past few years and it has obviously left a mark; "N****s couldn't walk a mile in my shoes, N****s don't possess the heart that I do, And it's a wonder that I'm still here, Thought I was gone but im still here, And all you b*****s that left me here, Its kinda funny how you right back there."

R Kelly's verse is good too although I'm far from and R Kelly fan. R Kelly wouldn't even have been Ja's first choice for the track, due to R Kelly being on so much lately but he felt it made sense in the context of the song.

Ashanti sounds good but her voice is merely used as an instrument here to give the chorus a bit of a lift. It would have been interesting to hear a verse from Ashanti here, although the song doesn't feel lacking something without it.

It has a decent beat complete with hand claps, and the use of some strings and synthesiser blends together well to make a great back drop for the trio's performance, although Ja steals the show here for me.

Best bit: Every little part of the song compliments the other so well that it's impossible to pick out a part, it's just a brilliant song all over.

WHAT'S MY NAME FT ASHANTI
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The chorus sounds great with Ashanti singing "J-A-R-U-L-E" which sounds good.

Ja's spitting is delivered fast and precise which is a style he doesn't adopt often, there is usually one track per album he does this and it really shows how much talent he does have.

The beat is great and the percussion is hectic. The tune is quite understated but as always production (which is also done by Ja and Irv Gotti) is flawless and everything fits together perfectly and just sounds great.

This is said to be Ja's comeback album, which may leave some of you wondering, did he ever go anywhere in the first place?; "I'm back, Anyone with good sense bet on that, Cause I ain't never went nowhere, I still got business here". It's referred to as his comeback however as it's back to his old style, after the release of the battle album "Blood In My Eye" the year before.

In the final verse it features Ashanti singing odd words from a few lines, with Ja rapping the rest of the lines, it stands out and sounds really great, I'd love to have seen this expanded a bit more throughout the track (without over doing it!)

Best bit: Ja's fast, precise spitting, it just shows exactly how much talent the man does possess and proves all the haters wrong. Ja is one talented guy whether he spits it fast or slow and he does both here.

NEW YORK FT FAT JOE & JADAKISS
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The other big single off this album which is definitely catchy and therefore worked well commercially but it isn't hip-pop here it does feel like his darker sound. The chorus will stick in your head for days and the collaboration with Fat Joe and Jadakiss works perfectly.

It has loads of high-pitched synthesisors giving it a kind of electronic vibe with a slow but heavy beat (courtesy of Cool+Dre) and gritty bassline. It almost goes without saying the production is flawless and it all flows brilliantly together.

Although Ja seems to have somewhat left behind the beefs of his past, getting it all out of his system in one go (Blood In My Eye) there are still putdowns here, although no direct references to particular rappers (i.e. no names mentioned, work it out for yourself): "Y'all n***** is p*ssy, p**nani, (Vag*na), Your (Monologue's) getting tired, now it's time to ride, You're print distrified, you're no longer desired, So take off them silly chains, put back on your wire"

He also decides to take the threats one stage further on the chorus, just incase any rappers out there were thinking of hollering back: "I got a semi-automatic that spits next time if you talk".

Fat Joe's verse sounds quite good, although his lyrics lack somewhat compared with Ja and Jadakiss it still all flows well and is easy to listen too. Probably a wise idea to lump him in the middle, if he was near the end you'd be inclined to skip by the time the other two had performed, if he was at the beginning the track might not hold your intention for long enough to hear the other two. Not that he's bad here, just really average.

Bettter than Fat Joe's performance, but not quite as good as Ja's (but bear in mind, I bought this album being a Ja fan so I'm bound to like him best!) is Jadakiss' verse. He spits well and it flows just right in the song; "Life's a bitch, Depending on how you treat her, you might get rich, It's guaranteed you gonna die, you might get missed, For maybe 2 or 3 hours, 'til they light their spl*ffs"

This makes it clear who is real in New York: Ja, Jadakiss, Joe, Murder INC, compared to those who are merely actors: 50 Cent

Best bit: The catchy chorus or the line where Ja says "I'm on fire" in his part. It's drawn out a lot longer than the faster pace of the rest of his lines and sounds great.

STRIPPING GAME (SKIT)
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Some pointless skit going on about "the white man" and "beautiful black women" *yawn yawn* . . . white man stole the idea of stripping from seeing some naked black women and they went back and tried to set up a stripping thing with some "white bitches".......*yawn yawn*

Best bit: The end.

THE MANUAL
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It's got a really mellow clap beat and guitar oriented tune, it sounds really laid back and Ja's rapping is relaxed here, yet still precise and it forms a great rhythm. It's very tuneful and sounds great.

This is Ja sending some love out to all the bitches. And you know why? Because "Ho*s need love too". Don't worry, he's just F***in with us(!)

It's Ja's singing on the chorus that really makes this song though, it gives it such a great melody and it's so catchy, without being like his commercial successes. It will stick in your head for days, and shows yet another side to Ja Rule. Ja's singing is really decent on this song, no matter what you might imagine when you think of his voice!

Best bit: The mellow laid back vibe of the whole song.

GET IT STARTED FT CLAUDETTE ORTIZ
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This is bound to be released as a single it's so catchy and a surefire club hit. It tells the story of Ja in a club meeting some girls who make his "thing stand up"!

Ja's spitting is fast, flawless and precise. It fits great with the almost Aztec sounding beat and the whole song just sounds so right. Claudette's (of City High - who I also like! I don't care!!) vocals are brilliant, she has a smooth voice and the way she says "dadddayy" (daddy!) sounds great, really sexy.

Best bit: I like the "Daddaay"'s from Claudette and love hearing Ja talking about girls, but on the whole I love the whole track and can't wait for this to hit the clubs.

R.U.L.E
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When this track comes on I was thinking what's this tune? I've heard it before? Well, to me it sounds really like Alicia Keyes "Karma" which I wasn't particularly a fan of (although I do like Alicia) but this song is far superior to it.

It's another brilliant song with fast spitting and great singing from Ja. It feels darker and less commercial but the tune and beat are great and this is one I could listen to over and over again.

This is just a really great song. And it's true what he says here; "Nobody does it like R U L E" and this song proves it.

Best bit: For some reason the line that always sticks in my head is; "I'm nice, Nobody's quite like, flow like rare blood types".

TRUE STORY (SKIT)
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Another skit *rolls eyes* Enough said.

Best bit: The end.

CAUGHT UP FT LLOYD
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Another brilliant single collaboration from Ja. Lloyds vocals are great as are the girls who goes largely un credited here. I read somewhere she's called Alexus but I'm wondering if that may be wrong at it may be Alexi who was on another of his songs. Don't quote me on that though!

The instrumental is great. The infusion of xylophones and keyboards provides another summery vibe and a great melody.

Some of the thing Ja says here are really truthful to everyday life and you can really relate. One particular bit reminds me of situations I've been in; "I don't mean to be rude, But our situation is kinda amusing, Cuz we both like each other, But scared of each other, It's like we more than friends, And less than lovers."

Best bit: I like that I can relate to a lot of the lyrics but musically what sounds great is in Ja's last verse where he goes "Girl you're my" and then Alexi/Alexus sings "Sunshine" before Ja goes right back into "But sometimes it gets a little cloudy" - I like it when a girl is just featured doing a word or two somewhere unexpected, in the middle of a verse or line and it sounds great.

GUN TALK FT BLACK CHILD
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Much darker from the beat, to the high pitched piano loop, to the gun shot sound effects, to the fact that it features Black Child. Ja's singing on the chorus gives the tune some much required tune though. The beat feels just too busy here and it just lacks that flawless feel that most of the backing tracks have on this album.

It's quite good although I think it's the chorus that really holds it together best. It isn't a bad tune by any means, I just prefer the lighter tracks where Ja makes all us ladies swoon (and don't hate on me for it, there's nothing wrong with liking them type of songs!).

Best bit: On the chorus each line is Ja choosing a gun and each line is ended with a sound effect of which ever gun he's chose - it does sound good honestly!

NEVER THOUGHT
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From what it sounds it's about Ja having a relationship with someone, to him it was just a bit of fun, to her she fell in love; "Girl our, situation is getting a little out of my hands,You calling me constant telling b*tches that I'm ya man, I thought we was just friends conversating, Gettin to know one another on a friendly basis, Lets face it we from two different worlds that dont collide"

She never expected she' d be able to fulfill the fantasy of being with him but in reality it would never work between them as they have nothing in common they are from completely different worlds; "What we got in common is minimal right next to nothin"

Ja is being nice about it though, it's not like a kind of f*ck off record, he's saying it's all got a bit out of hand and he doesn't want to be having to tell her because she has fallen for him but that she needs to know it's not real for him; "
"Who would have thought that something so simple would turn out to be detrimental? Now I'm feeling like I'm caught in the middle of this love triangle, between she me and reality, Reality is tellin us that we could never be"

Ja's lyrics are at their apex here with an amazing flow and use of vocabulary. This is Ja at his peak and this song really touched me.

Best bit: the way Ja says "so sincere" - "So sincsurrrrrr", which is kind of apt as the sincerity shone through on this track.

LIFE GOES ON FT TRICK DADDY & CHINK SANTANA
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This track is amazing despite the let down of Trick Daddy's part. It is strongly based around a somber piano background complete with violins, guitars, synthesisors and percussion to give it a dark feel. Production is...you've guessed it flawless! It all blends together and compliments each other perfectly.

The subject matter is friends and family who've been lost, and the fact that you have to move on after people die, you mourn you grieve but "life goes on".

Ja's lyrics are full of passion and are really heartfelt. You can feel how much these words actually mean to Ja, the honesty of it all, and the mourning of friends lost. His singing on this track is full of emotion and really portrays the subject matter of the song well; "I'm just wishing you was here my n*ggas, Wish that you could be with me to ball my n*ggas, Send a sign I'm on call n*ggas, Promise to pick me up if I fall my n*ggas The way I wish y'all was still alive (I know), Through memories y'all still alive (and I know), Through my eyes in my mind you'll live 4 ever"

Trick Daddy's part is nothing but boring, with weak lyrics that basically just list a load of names which maybe mean something to him, but not to any of us.

Chink Santana's verse is good with some brilliant lyrics such as: "But instead I'm in tears, But when you passed it rained, And God's tears took away the f**king pain, So look man (hey), I can't cry no more, You died once and you can't die no more (no more)"

Best bit: The lyrics and emotion displayed throughout the song.

WEED (SKIT)
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One thing to say:

Best bit: The end.

WHERE I'M FROM FT LLOYD
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This is talking about al the different sides to the hood including the good side and how people look at it really stereotypically but they don't see the love and the good times (although that's not to say it doesn't come alongside bad times);" If I ain't have to kill n*gga, I never would leave the ghetto, I'm like an angel that put on a halo, cradle the grave of my n*gga that we lost in the ghetto"

It has a powerful, sad, haunting piano loop blended perfectly with flute and violins which creates a brilliant effect and the beat is brilliant.

Lloyds hushed vocals sound great if not a little sad, but like they were just meant for this track. However he is by no means the best thing about this track as Ja performs brilliantly here, making people who've never known anything like the 'hood be able to just picture it all perfectly. He describes it so well you can almost see it, and imagine all the good times and the bad; "Kids get killed in ghettos, shot up over the Carmellos, While they mom was at home, tears hittin the pillow, Where women in the middle in a serminal funereal, Shed a tear cause he lost his son the same way a year ago"

If the lyrics alone don't make you feel the sorrow of some of the things he has experienced that go on in the hood you can hear it in his voice. Ja is for real, this is not an acting game for him he has lived this and you can hear that, you can feel it.

"We ain't all killers in prison, Matter fact that's a stereo typical thought of livin, Cause they don't know about the hood and them love in it"

Best bit: The descriptiveness of all the aspects a lot of people will never come across in their life.

BOUT MY BUSINESS FT CADILLAC TAH, BLACK CHILD & YOUNG MERC
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I'm not a fan of the collaborations with these guys and it's no different this time, they all provide some average verses talking about the same old same old they say in every single song. They bore me and I really wish Ja wouldn't include so much of them on his albums, if you want to collaborate with your friends that's your choice I just wish they would release a separate album with all the Ja/Cadillac Tah/Black Child/Young Merc songs on so that if you don't want to listen to them you don't have to buy that album and you can kick back and enjoy the Ja Rule album for what it should be - Ja Rule!!

I find that I'm desperately waiting for Ja's verse, which here isn't really worth the wait. It's strategically placed last so that you are forced to listen to his friends verses but Ja doesn't deliver a good enough few lines here to warrant sitting through the whole song. I suggest the skip button.

Best bit: 3 minutes and 38 seconds into the track: the end!

PASSION
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This has a slow tempo yet somehow busy beat and a subtle yet somber piano loop and even nature sounds.

A lot of the lyrics are based around Ja's recent problems and do feel very heartfelt. The lyrics are powerful and his delivery is spot on. This is Ja being open, which isn't seen to often and it shows a side of him that some people forget he has; a side that hurts and feels pain, like anyone else: "This is all for nothin', The talent and passion of mine, I'm sick of sufferin', I know your plans is greater than mine, So I'm asking, Why do you want me dead or alive, And how could you let the people see me through the enemy's eyes" Ja asks God, referring to all the people who turned when 50 started the backlash on him.

Ja has seen many people flip on him, not just the fans; "But what's love, when your friends become enemies, Your nightmares are no longer your worst dreams"

However the song isn't just about the beefs and betrayals he's had. His label Tha Inc got federally investigated the year prior to this album for money laundering. They were eventually found not guilty but the pressure of having it hanging over him, not knowing whether he would be going to jail or not only added to the stressful year he had; "And the Bible that said, "Thou shall not fear no man but God", Whoever said that, ain't never faced the law"

The lyrics in this song are really open and emotive and make you feel for Ja. I like this side of him, he doesn't always have to put on the hard front and pretend he's coping okay; "Put the weight of the world on my shoulders, I thinkin' I could brush it off and nobody notice"

Then a super long vocal basically of his thank yous. This part obviously isn't great but whereas when lumping them at the back of your inlay people tend not to read them, this way they are more likely to listen. The purpose of this being that it makes you realize how many people are associated with Ja which he kind of still needs in the aftermath of the G Unit battle, to reinforce who the winner of that was.

VERDICT
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I think people tend to generalise about him. They either have the gruff voice type opinion, or the RnB love song opinion, or fake thug opinion etc. The thing is, there are so many different sides to Ja. Just because he talks street and talks love it doesn't make him fake etc, it makes him a very versatile artist.

Ja was strong to stand his ground through all the beef and drama that went on in his life last year. 50 and co did the best to dethrone him, and a lot of fans did jump ship, and that's got to hurt. You might think, well the mansion and the millions might help that hurt a little, and I'm sure they do, but to have mass hate like Ja experienced, and to stay strong through it and come out the other end with an album this great is an achievement. Here, with this quality album he is sticking a finger up at the haters without having to say a thing. The message is clear without having to say a thing, this is talent. Who cares what 50 says?! This is talent.

As for Ja being critiscised for what he does best; his hip-pop/RnB collaborations (on this album think Wonderful, Caught Up and Get It Started) Ja came up with that sound, he invented a whole new sound which since then has been imitated no end (Think Nelly and Kelly "Dilema", Lil Flip and Lea "Sunshine", Tamia and Fabolous "So Into You" and 50 Cent and Olivia "Candy Shop" [ooops Fiddy - I thought you were too amazing to need a girl singing on your chorus - pot...kettle...black]).

Ja does include some of the commercial sound that he is so loved and so hated for here but there's also so much more. This is his sixth album in as many years and whilst some may feel he could be running out of steam or subject matter that couldn't be further from the truth. The drama, beefs and federal investigations have only fuelled Ja on and given him new material to write about.

Ja thinks his voice, which is an acquired taste, is one of his qualities; "I didn't really notice my voice until I got into music before then it was just a voice but its defiantly one of my assets"

Ja has turned what happened to him with the fall in his popularity due to 50s lyrical attacks on him into something he can find a positive side to: "I mean you know it's a little frustrating but you gotta understand that sometimes when you're the top of your game people want to knock you down. I look at Muhammad Ali as the picture perfect example cos here you have a man that was arrogant but could back it up and get to the top of his game then was brought down not by getting beat at first but by other means by media, political things and he fought and he got through it. Then came the actual defeats of him getting knocked out and he fought and won the championship again so I look at him and think if a man can go through so many things and still get up and keep fighting there's something to be said about that man. People didn't look at him back then as the man he is now, but after all said and done people look at him and say he is a fighter, he is truly the greatest and they show him respect. So I needed to look at this whole thing as a blessing in disguise cos its gonna make me into a better artist cos I keep fighting no matter what."

Ja urges people to "concentrate on the music and artist, not bullsh*t and drama". If people did this then they would see that musically this is an outstanding album and that Ja is an amazing artist. Unfortunately people are only to quick to follow the hype and beef.

Ja and I believe his fans are leaders, and the haters are followers. He knows what sort of people are his fans and he appreciates that perhaps more than a lot of artists who always do the whole "I love you" to the fans with little meaning or feeling behind it.

He's also realized that he doesn't need to expose the fakers (G Unit) for what they are, as they will ultimately do that themselves. No one can keep up a false pretence for ever and Ja can relax because he knows that he is real, whereas slowly some peoples lies and false image portrayals are starting to unravel. Ja refers to a piece of advice given to him by his friend Supreem: "He was like, 'Rule, there is no need for you to go running up the tree to pick that apple. Go sit under the tree, and the apple will fall in your lap.' That's the realest sh*t ever. The paint was starting to chip off the walls now. As I sat back and waited for the apple to drop, the paint is chipping, and I realize that people are starting to see through their [G Unit and co's] bullsh*t. I knew it was only a matter of time, but I didn't think it was gonna happen this fast. When you portray something that you're not, it will come back to get you. You know why? 'Cause you can't go out and about outside, 'cause people are gonna recognize that you aren't what you say you are. Even if you're not saying that you're a tough guy. Even if you're saying that you're a cool guy, and you go out and trip over everything that moves. You can't be in the public too much, 'cause you're gonna get exposed. Me, I go out all the time, and I have a great time, 'cause I don't portray anything that I'm not. I'm secure and comfortable with who I am. I knew that by me just being me, I wouldn't let any of it deter me from what I do. Even with n*ggas going, 'G-G-G-G-Unit!' I still was popping bottles and having fun. If it got too crazy, I'd handle it, but if it was just some people talking, I'd be like, 'Good for you, n*gga. I'm glad you're down with G-Unit. Hope you're getting a check.' [Laughs]"

In my opinion this is the best of all the Ja Rule albums and one of my all time favourites of any artist. The tracks are all great, and some are flawless. I love the whole album and can't put into words how much I enjoy listening to it. I would reccomend it to anyone who is a fan of Hip Hop and RnB. If you're into summer pop jam classics or club bangers then this is also for you.

I'd strongly urge anyone with an interest in popular culture to put aside you're preconceptions of Ja Rule, based on what others have said, and go into this album with open minds and open ears. I think you will be pleasantly suprised.

AND SO THE INC CONTINUE
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G Unit have failed to destroy The Inc and with their old artists dropping hits as hot and as regular as ever, along with their new artists rising to become stars, the future looks great for Tha Inc. In my opinion, The Inc will be here, and successful, long after G Unit have been forgotten. The reason for this? G Unit's fans are fickle, they proved this by being Ja fans first and abandoning him at the first sign of trouble. When the next big thing comes out and attacks G Unit, as no doubt they will, the fans will jump ship again. Tha Inc, especially Ja Rule, have got some loyal fans, and are gaining new ones all the time.

"Right now, I'm just having fun with this. It isn't about the money. I'm just having fun and making records, 'cause I love to do it. I'm doing films, and bringing up new talent that's coming. I love seeing Ashanti and Lloyd come up and become big stars. I love that." 

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