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.
Life Ain't A Game
Ja Rule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life ain't a game (no) if you feelin me (say yeah-yea)
Flip the bird where (in the air) fuck the world (we don't care) x2
Verse 1
It's time to ride out niggaz stash your cash at the hideout
The Murderous I-N-see's en route (y'all hear me)
Feelin my shit the same (y'all fear me)
The nigga that you need to get with coz y'all pop shit nigga
I pop clips nigga hot, but not the black four-dot-six nigga
You know the Rule, thug heart nigga and I don't need no fake friends
Broke ties, loose ends there they go niggaz is at it again
Tryin to befriend the nigga that they claim they love
But hate so much and really all we got is us
But fuck it, it's the same way they fucked me
Now I'm fuckin your broad in the back of a Humvee,
Go figure I'll have your niggaz pourin' out liquor
All because you fuckin with the Rule nigga
Chorus
Hook 1
Take my life, take my mind, take my heart, take my soul
Take my cash, take it all but save me, I'm throwing my life away
Verse 2
Why, would a nigga with so much talent
Want to throw it all away to drugs and violence?
I know not the answers but I ask the questions
Do all Muslims really study their lessons?
And how many Christians lie during confessions?
I know I did when I was just a kid
Never told about the guns my uncle hid under my bed
And at night I played with them
Kind of grew up to be sort of a loose cannon
Before my sins, I'm asking you to let me in Lord help me,
I been through all the pain now I want to know who loves me
Chorus
Hook 2
Changes, changes my mind is going through changes, changes
My body's going through changes, changes
My life is going through changes, changes
Hook 3
Yo, looky here, I just want to fuck all day - live my life,
Get high all day - my life, maybe one day I'll live right
Fuck the world - it's my life
Chorus x2
The lyrics to Ja Rule's song "Life Ain't A Game" portray a sense of rebellion and non-conformity against societal norms. The chorus suggests that life is not a game and encourages listeners to embrace their individuality regardless of what others may think. The lines "flip the bird where, fuck the world" reinforce the idea of being unapologetically oneself and not conforming to societal expectations.
In the first verse, Ja Rule raps about his thug persona and how he does not need "fake friends" in his life. He talks about how people have betrayed him in the past, and now he is sleeping with their significant others to get back at them. This verse highlights the theme of personal betrayal and the desire for revenge.
In the second verse, Ja Rule questions why people with talent would throw it all away for drugs and violence. He also asks thought-provoking questions about different religions and whether people truly live by the teachings they profess. The lyrics suggest that Ja Rule is going through a difficult time in his life and is seeking guidance and help from a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Life ain't a game (no) if you feelin me (say yeah-yea)
Life is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you understand me, acknowledge it.
Flip the bird where (in the air) fuck the world (we don't care) x2
Expressing a feeling of defiance or rebellion towards the world and its rules. It doesn't matter what others think or say.
It's time to ride out niggaz stash your cash at the hideout
It's time to leave and get prepared for whatever comes next. Hide your money at a safe place.
The Murderous I-N-see's en route (y'all hear me)
The dangerous gang members are on their way. Pay attention and be alert.
Feelin my shit the same (y'all fear me)
I am confident and proud of who I am, and others are intimidated by me.
In every definitive way (I'm really)
Without doubt, I am genuine and true to myself in every aspect of my life.
The nigga that you need to get with coz y'all pop shit nigga
I am the person that you need to be associated with because I can handle myself in challenging situations.
I pop clips nigga hot, but not the black four-dot-six nigga
I have experience and expertise in using firearms, but I would never use a specific type of gun that is commonly used in drive-by shootings.
You know the Rule, thug heart nigga and I don't need no fake friends
You are already familiar with my reputation and personality. I am a tough associate who does not need disingenuous companions.
Broke ties, loose ends there they go niggaz is at it again
I have ended my relationships with untrustworthy people who have a bad influence on my life. There they go again, repeating past mistakes.
Tryin to befriend the nigga that they claim they love
Attempting to form a friendship with me, when they claim to love me.
But hate so much and really all we got is us
Despite the fact that they hate me, we have each other and that is what matters in the end.
But fuck it, it's the same way they fucked me
But forget it, they treated me the same way they are treating me now.
Now I'm fuckin your broad in the back of a Humvee,
Now I am having sex with your girlfriend in the back of a Humvee.
Go figure I'll have your niggaz pourin' out liquor
Surprisingly, I will have your friends mourning and drinking alcohol at my funeral.
All because you fuckin with the Rule nigga
This is all happening because you decided to associate with me.
Take my life, take my mind, take my heart, take my soul
Take everything from me, but please spare me. I am throwing my life away and need help.
Why, would a nigga with so much talent
Why would someone with a lot of potential in life like me turn towards negative habits and actions?
Want to throw it all away to drugs and violence?
Why would I waste my talents on harmful activities like drug use and violence?
I know not the answers but I ask the questions
I don't know the solutions to my problems, but I am questioning them in hopes of finding an answer.
Do all Muslims really study their lessons?
I am asking if followers of Islam are committed to studying and following their religious beliefs.
And how many Christians lie during confessions?
I am curious about how many people who confess their sins in Christianity are actually truthful.
I know I did when I was just a kid
I am admitting that I lied during my confession when I was younger.
Never told about the guns my uncle hid under my bed
I kept my uncle's guns a secret and never mentioned it to anyone.
Kind of grew up to be sort of a loose cannon
I developed into someone reckless and impulsive.
Before my sins, I'm asking you to let me in Lord help me,
Before my past wrongdoings, I am requesting God's assistance and mercy to help me change and make things right.
I been through all the pain now I want to know who loves me
I have faced numerous difficulties and now want to find out who truly cares and loves me.
Changes, changes my mind is going through changes, changes
My mind is going through a transformation while I experience many changes in my life.
My body's going through changes, changes
My physical body is also adapting and changing through this process.
My life is going through changes, changes
My entire life is changing, resulting in a shift in my perspective and outlook on things.
Yo, looky here, I just want to fuck all day - live my life,
Hey, listen to me. I only want to engage in sexual activities all day and live my life without any restrictions.
Get high all day - my life, maybe one day I'll live right
I want to get high all day and continue living my life the way I am, but maybe one day I will change my ways and live a better life.
Fuck the world - it's my life
I am disregarding conventional societal norms and living by my own rules, which do not align with what the world expects of me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFFREY ATKINS, MARTIN N GORE, HOWIE B N HERSH, D. N YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind