Jeffrey Atkins, better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for his collaborations with fellow New York-based rapper Ashanti, as well as for his solo albums Venni Vetti Vecci, Pain Is Love, and The Last Temptation. Over the course of his career, Ja Rule has sold over 30 million records worldwide, making him one of the most successful hip hop artists of all time.
Ja Rule’s Early Life
Jeffrey Atkins was born on February 29th, 1976 in Queens, New York. He was raised in Hollis, a neighborhood in Queens, and began rapping at a young age. As a teenager, he was an original member of the Cash Money Click, a rap group that included fellow Hollis natives DMX, Jay-Z, and Busta Rhymes. Ja Rule dropped out of high school in his junior year and began to focus on his music career.
Ja Rule’s Career
In 1999, Ja Rule released his debut album, Venni Vetti Vecci, which was certified platinum by the RIAA. The album was a commercial success and featured the hit single “Holla Holla”. He followed up with his second album, Rule 3:36, which was also certified platinum. Ja Rule’s third album, Pain Is Love, was released in 2001 and was certified three times platinum. The album featured the hit singles “Livin’ It Up” and “Always on Time”, which featured Ashanti.
Ja Rule’s Personal Life
Ja Rule has been married to his wife Aisha since 2001. Together they have three children. Ja Rule has had multiple run-ins with the law over the years, including a two-year prison sentence for gun possession. He has also been involved in numerous feuds with other hip hop artists such as 50 Cent and Eminem.
Ja Rule has had a successful career in hip hop, selling over 30 million records worldwide. He is known for his collaborations with Ashanti, as well as for his hit singles “Holla Holla”, “Livin’ It Up”, and “Always on Time”. Despite having multiple run-ins with the law, Ja Rule is still going strong and continues to make music.
