He is best-known for hits "Put It On Me", "Between Me And You", "Wonderful" and for being associated with Jay-Z as a part of The Murderers. Ja Rule has sold over 20 Million albums worldwide and has released six albums with one on the way. His best-selling albums are Pain Is Love and Rule 3:36. Ja Rule has beefed with rappers DMX, 50 Cent, The Game, Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, and Eminem.
Early life:
He attended Junior High School in Floral Park, New York, where he met his future wife Aisha Murray and they graduated in 1991. They attended Martin Van Buren High School together but he did not graduate. When Atkins was five years old, his sister died from respiratory problems. Growing up in a strict religious home, Atkin's family did not celebrate birthdays and Christmas, and as a child, was not allowed to listen to rap music. When he first heard it, he decided to be a rapper. He would sneak the music into his house and played it on his CD player when his mother wasn't around. Atkins is married to his high school sweetheart, Aisha Atkins née Murray.They have three children: Brittney (11), Jeffrey Junior (6) and Jordan (3).He and his family live in a mansion in New Jersey.
Rise to Fame:
At age 15, Atkins appeared with 0-1 and Chris Black as part of Cash Money Click. This would lead to him being signed by TVT Records in 1994. He would end up being heard by a young DJ who called himself DJ Irv, then later Irv Gotti. Gotti, was a friend of Jay-Z's and he was also a DJ for Def Jam Recordings. During the mid 90s his main priority was meeting Ja Rule. He wanted to sign Ja to his new label Murder Inc. Records. He wanted Ja because of his distinct deep voice. After Irv was able to sign Ja along with DMX and Jay-Z to Def Jam. He began to have an idea that they all work together. They formed a group named The Murderers. They recorded many songs together. Friction tore the group apart, DMX, a rapper that sounds very similar to Ja accused him of trying to steal his style with the deep voice, by saying that before the three were signed Ja tried to make his voice sound lighter but heard him embrace the deep voice and tried to imitate it. They had planned to release an album together, but this idea was scrapped and they all made appearances on their respective albums. Still, around this time, Ja Rule was still fairly unknown. Jay-Z, at the time a young star and new to Def Jam, was the most popular rapper in hip hop. Russell Simmons had the idea that in order to build hype around Ja Rule and capitalize on Jay's popularity that Ja Rule do a verse on Jay-Z's 1998 single Can I Get A..., which also featured Amil. Ja's performance of the verse made him a household name and he became an instant star and by the release of his album a year later he was one of Def Jam Recordings premier acts.
Last of the Mohicans
Ja Rule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heh ha ha...
Yeah...
Yeah...
'Last Of The Mohicans' man...
Let's go!
Heh...
You'll never take me alive...
Heh...
(Wake 'em up!)
I'd like to introduce you all to somebody...
Somebody very dear...
[Verse 1: Ja Rule]
I'm here to put you all through the pressure like nobody ever, 'cause everytime I shoot nothing
But fo' n beta,
An' them slugs get heada' your way any day fella, 'cause when murder reigns you gona' need
Umbrellas, Kevlar an' a whole lot of gun runners, you hotdog niggas hide your relish, ain't shit to
Tell us, I keep the army, an' they stay armed- best stay the fuck from 'round me, unless your
Desire leads you to touch the dream, I be in back of the back, A.G. on the jeans, hit the button to
The left an' you can see how it leans, this thang is like an' airplane you park in the street,
Mean, it's so vicious call me young, all the wishes 'cause I wished for it all, beg the lord for
Forgiveness, 'cause I sin- I'ma sinner, but I win- I'ma winner, I'm runnin' the marathon an' why'all
Niggas are sprinters, I exercise more mental an' massage my fingers, I'm lookin' forward to bangin'
Out start to finish, give me a minute let me explain why most niggas is timid, they runnin' round
With good bodies an' no hearts in 'em, makin' it easy fo' a nigga to get 'em- expose em', witness
Rule the chosen man who spit it the coldest, load up this ten shot, till why'all niggas the hole-est,
I'ma God send- niggas better act like they know this muthafucka...
[Chorus: Black Child]
Your game ain't nuthin' but smoke an' mirrors (let 'em know), why'all clowns can't be serious
(uh-huh), many has tried but why'all can't kill us, we still livin' this real vivid- we real
Niggas...(nigga), Your game ain't nuthin' but smoke an' mirrors (uh-huh), we ain't neva scared I
Hope all why'all hear us, many has tried but why'all can't kill us, we still livin' this real vivid- we
Kill killers...
[Verse 2: Ja Rule]
The world is blind so now I gotta spit it in braille, that raw coked up flow you can put in the
Scales, so when niggas start dyin' can't nobody tell, it's jus' an' overdose injection of that
Braille, Rule, when I come through' can't nobody move me, I'm exclusive cop some new shit every
Tuesday, excuse me- bitch, I'm one of a kind, when I die study my mind an' dupe' the design, now
I'm inclined people say tha' I'm ahead of my time, whoever said that they must'a had they nose on
Tha' line, I'm not even in my prime yet, a veteran in this muthafuckin' rap shit, what religion you
Practice, a pristical baptist or catholic, I can't really say I'm religious- an' to that I'ma
Witness, but I'm spiritual that's why I keep the Lord in the picture, 40. Cal in the 7-40 I laugh
At niggas that want to' get buried in cemeteries next to they bitches, an' get thrown wit' bricks
Tied to they Lebron's, the game we play is chess- them niggas is pawns, you the first pieces we
Take off the board because, I'ma king that's from Queens, an' then it's the whole regime, beta'
Known as the team, big shout to my nigga Preme, it ain't nothin' illegal about keepin' ya' cash
Clean, when you sellin' millions of records, an' send me some jeans muthafucka...
[Chorus: Black Child]
Your game ain't nuthin' but smoke an' mirrors (let 'em know), why'all clowns can't be serious
(uh-huh), many has tried but why'all can't kill us, we still livin' this real vivid- we real
Niggas... (nigga), Your game ain't nuthin' but smoke an' mirrors (uh-huh), we ain't neva scared I
Hope all why'all hear us, many has tried but why'all can't kill us, we still livin' this real vivid- we
Kill killers...
[Outro: Ja Rule]
[Backing ad-libs unscripted]
Yeah...
You know...
Uh...
Wha'cha'll don't know??
There's nothin' real about these niggas in this game...
This is it...
Murder Inc. nigga...
You lookin' at 'em...
The realest muthafuckin' niggas in the game...
You starin' at 'em...
Ain't no need to look nowhere else...
It's murder niggas...
Holla...
We ridin'...
You know...
See'mon niggas...
It's danger...
It's danger...
What up to my nigga Merc...
Big Caddy...
My nigga Black Child...
Rest in peace...
To our muthafuckin' soldier up in Heaven- my nigga D.O. Cannons...
Do Cannons...
We see you nigga, we love you nigga...
(Shadow I see you nigga...
We gon' pour out a lil' liquor...
We gon' have some fun...
We gon' ride this muthafucka' out...
It's murda'...
Real talk nigga...
We in the building...)
In "Last of the Mohicans," Ja Rule delivers hard-hitting, braggadocious bars that showcase his lyrical prowess and position as a powerful force in the rap game. He confidently boasts about his ability to withstand pressure, his success as a rapper, and his defiance against those who aim to bring him down. Ja Rule specifically addresses those who underestimate him, declaring that their attempted attacks are futile and that he and his group, Murder Inc., are the "realest muthafuckin niggas in the game." The lyrics of the chorus, performed by Black Child, continue with these themes of undying strength and a refusal to back down, asserting the idea that they' kill killers' and cannot be taken out by their opponents.
While some may write off "Last of the Mohicans" as just another braggadocious rap song, its lyrics can also be seen as a commentary on the rap game as a whole, and the pressure and competition that rappers face in the industry. Ja Rule's confidence and defiance can be seen as a response to these pressures, as well as a declaration that he and his crew are the best of the best.
Line by Line Meaning
Heh ha ha...
Ja Rule starts the song with laughter and prepares to deliver a fiery rap about his prowess.
Yeah...
Ja Rule confirms his readiness to deliver a powerful rap.
'Last Of The Mohicans' man...
Ja Rule declares himself as the Last of the Mohicans, meaning he is the last of a dying breed who stands out as a remarkable artist.
Let's go!
Ja Rule encourages everyone to get ready and join him for the ride with his music.
Heh...
Ja Rule laughs again and readies for the first line of his verse.
You'll never take me alive...
Ja Rule asserts his invincibility, implying that he won't go down without a fight.
(It's time- DJ!)
Ja Rule urges the DJ to start his beat as he begins his verse.
(Wake 'em up!)
Ja Rule urges the listeners to wake up and pay attention to his message.
I'd like to introduce you all to somebody...
Ja Rule announces his arrival on the track and prepares to showcase his rap flow.
Somebody very dear...
Ja Rule continues his introduction by hinting that he is the special somebody who will rock the mic.
I'm here to put you all through the pressure like nobody ever,
Ja Rule assures that he will deliver a tough rap that nobody has ever heard before.
'cause every time I shoot nothing, but fo' n beta,
Ja Rule boasts about his shooting skills by implying that every shot he takes is precise and effective.
An' them slugs get heada' your way any day fella,
Ja Rule warns that his bullets are always on target and can hit you any day, anywhere.
'cause when murder reigns you gona' need Umbrellas, Kevlar an' a whole lot of gun runners,
Ja Rule threatens that when he unleashes his wrath, anyone facing him will need protective gear like umbrellas and Kevlar and have an army of gun-runners by their side for support.
you hotdog n****s hide your relish, ain't sh** to Tell us,
Ja Rule taunts his weak opponents to hide their relish and not bother him because he is untouchable.
I keep the army, an' they stay armed- best stay the f**k from 'round me, unless your
Ja Rule affirms that he has an army backing him up, and any opposition should stay away unless they have a death wish.
Desire leads you to touch the dream, I be in back of the back, A.G. on the jeans, hit the button to
Ja Rule invites anyone with a desire to touch his success, and he will be in the back seat, counting his money and enjoying his fortune.
The left an' you can see how it leans, this thang is like an' airplane you park in the street,
Ja Rule refers to his car with a hydraulic system that leans to one side and boasts about it being like an airplane parked on the street.
Mean, it's so vicious call me young, all the wishes 'cause I wished for it all, beg the lord for Forgiveness, 'cause I sin- I'ma sinner, but I win- I'ma winner,
Ja Rule brags that he is unstoppable, and his wishes come true. He seeks forgiveness from the Lord because he commits sins as a sinner, but he lets it slide because he always wins, and he is a winner.
I'm running the marathon an' why'all N*****S are sprinters, I exercise more mental an' massage my fingers,
Ja Rule affirms that he is in the rap game for the long haul and sets his pace as a marathon runner. He exercises his mental faculties and massages his fingers to keep them nimble and ready for action.
I'm lookin' forward to banging' Out start to finish, give me a minute let me explain why most n***as is timid,
Ja Rule declares that he aims to put on a seasoned performance from start to finish and explains that most rappers back down quickly because they don't have the courage to go all the way.
they running' round With good bodies an' no hearts in 'em, makin' it easy fo' a n***a to get 'em- expose em',
Ja Rule exposes the lack of substance in many rappers who have good looks but no depth and can be easily lured into traps.
witness Rule the chosen man who spit it the coldest, load up this ten shot, till ya'll n***ers the hole-est,
Ja Rule asserts that he is the chosen one, a cold-hearted rapper who delivers the best rhymes. He further warns that he'll shoot his opponents to make them full of holes.
I'm a Godsend- n*****s better act like they know this m*********a...
Ja Rule boasts that he is a Godsend to the rap game, and other rappers should recognize his dominance and act accordingly.
Your game ain't nuthin' but smoke an' mirrors (let 'em know), why'all clowns can't be serious (uh-huh), many have tried but why'all can't kill us, we still living' this real vivid- we real N*****s...(n****),
Black Child comes in for the chorus and states that their opponents' game plan is all illusion, smoke, and mirrors. He further taunts them, saying that despite many efforts, they can't kill Ja Rule and co. because they are real people doing real things.
Your game ain't nuthin' but smoke an' mirrors (uh-huh), we ain't never scared I hope all why'all hear us, many have tried but why'all can't kill us, we still living' this real vivid- we kill killers...
Black Child reiterates the chorus and confirms that their opponents' game is still full of illusions and that Ja Rule and his crew are not afraid of anything. He further stresses that they don't just survive; they thrive, and they are experts in taking out killers themselves.
The world is blind so now I gotta spit it in braille, that raw coked up flow you can put in the Scales,
Ja Rule laments that the world is blind to his message, so he uses his rap skills to deliver his raw flows that anyone can appreciate.
So when n*****s start dyin' can't nobody tell, it's jus' an' overdose injection of that Braille,
Ja Rule further asserts that when rappers who can't stand up to his flow start dying, nobody can tell how it happened because they overdose on his raw, incomprehensible flows.
Rule, when I come through can't nobody move me, I'm exclusive cop some new s*** every Tuesday, excuse me- b****, I'm one of a kind,
Ja Rule boasts that nobody can stand in his way when he comes through, and he is always exclusive and buys new things every Tuesday. He apologizes for his rude language and declares that he is one of a kind.
When I die study my mind an' dupe' the design, now I'm inclined people say tha' I'm ahead of my time,
Ja Rule advises that when he dies, people should study his mind and duplicate his style. He also acknowledges that people say he's ahead of his time.
Whoever said that they must'a had they nose on Tha' line, I'm not even in my prime yet, a veteran in this m*********in' rap s***,
Ja Rule dismisses those who claim he is ahead of his time and says that they must be confused. He also confesses that he is still not in his prime, yet he's a veteran of the rap game.
what religion you Practice, a pristical baptist or catholic, I can't really say I'm religious- an' to that I'ma Witness, but I'm spiritual that's why I keep the Lord in the picture,
Ja Rule questions the religious practices of his listeners and reveals that he's not religious. Still, he's spiritual and keeps the Lord in the picture, meaning he believes in a higher power.
40. Cal in the 7-40 I laugh at n*****s that want to' get buried in cemeteries next to they b****es,
Ja Rule identifies the gun he carries and mocks those who want to be buried next to their girlfriends. He aims to strike fear in his opponents and show his dominance.
an' get thrown wit' bricks Tied to they Lebron's, the game we play is chess- them n*****s is pawns,
Ja Rule uses a metaphor of throwing bodies with bricks tied to their shoes to demonstrate that he's in control of the game. He further emphasizes that the opponents are like pawns in a game of chess—they are the first pieces he takes off the board.
you the first pieces we Take off the board because, I'ma king that's from Queens, an' then it's the whole regime, bet a' Known as the team, big shout to my n**** Preme,
Ja Rule declares that he's the king from Queens and that he rules over his crew and the whole region. He also gives a shoutout to his friend Preme.
It ain't nuthin' illegal about keeping' ya' cash Clean, when you sellin' millions of records, an' send me some jeans m*********a...
Ja Rule advises his listeners that there's no harm in keeping their earnings clean when they make money by selling records. He also demands the listener to send him some jeans.
You know..., Uh..., Wha'cha'll don't know?? There's nothin' real about these n*****s in this game... This is it... Murder Inc. n****... You lookin' at 'em... The realest m*********in' n*****s in the game... You starin' at 'em... Ain't no need to look nowhere else... It's murder n*****s... Holla... We ridin'... See'mon, n*****s... It's danger... What up to my n**** Merc... Big Caddy... My n**** Black Child... Rest in peace... To our m*********in' soldier up in Heaven- my n**** D.O. Cannons... Do Cannons... We see you n****, we love you n****... (Shadow I see you n****... We gon' pour out a lil' liquor... We gon' have some fun... We gon' ride this m*********a out... It's murda'... Real talk n****... We in the building...)
Ja Rule concludes the song by hyping up his listeners and declaring that there's no real competition in the rap game. He shouts out to his team and pays homage to his fallen friend, D.O. Cannons. He further promises to ride the music wave with his team and have some fun.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFFREY ATKINS, ANDRE PARKER, IRVING LORENZO, RAMEL GILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind