Jeffrey Atkins (born February 29, 1976 in Queens, New York), better known b… Read Full Bio ↴Jeffrey Atkins (born February 29, 1976 in Queens, New York), better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer and actor signed to his own label Mpire Records. He began his career in the group Cash Money Click and released his debut solo album, Venni Vetti Vecci, in 1999. He has since released 2000's Rule 3:36, 2001's Pain Is Love, 2002's The Last Temptation, 2003's Blood in My Eye and 2004's R.U.L.E. He now plans to release his seventh studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci 2010, sometime later this year.

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.

R.U.L.E.
Ja Rule Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro]
Yeah (yeah)...Yeah (yeah)..
You Know (you know)...Lets (lets)...Go (go)...(laughter)
Yeah (yeah)...Yeah...WHUTS MY NAME?!

[Chorus]
They cool but they ain't R.U.L.E.
They do, but don't do it like me

Nobody, nobody, Does it Like R.U.L.E.
They do but don't do it like me
Nobody, nobody, Does it Like R.U.L.E.

[Verse 1]
Nobodys livin life the way that I live it
Nobodys spittin and doin it, I spit it
But who f***in admitted
I'm one of the bigger biggest of n****z that done did it
Been hated and delt wit it, when agents tap in my lyrics
So by the time that they hear it, the crime's already committed
Natural Born Killa, but that I'm already and then
Murdah was the case, but I-N-see's been acquitted
The Agency's gettin livid, They wanted us to be finished
But we got unfinished business, Sned God as my witness
This is another testimony to my life and my story
Askin you hoes, Why should I talk when I got guns to speak for me
don't come at me homie, Especially tryin to act like you know me
Only if you can control me, Know where you been chosen befor me
To sit in ya grave, homie dig it, I'm hearin its lonely, But see
Nobody...Does it...Like Me! And they know it they can't spit it the same
But still they try, 'cause that's part of the game, WHUTS MY NAME?!

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
These n****z incredible, throughout the ghettos of America
People, see these window I see through
Off they mirror they evil, jealous bulls*** that men do
Had I known it was you, there'd be no clue on who done killed you
Like when Kane murdahd Able, N****z must have been able
To put caine through they nasals, They so high they see angels
I see life from all angels, tangled, webs and weaves
Now n****z is able to kill like Kane all over the streets
100 degrees Ferenheite, hot as the hottest summer night
Heatin up desperatly in the need of some ice, I'm nice
Nobodys quite like, flow like rare blood types
I be wrong if I'm right, right if I'm wrong, I was the RULE born
When my legacy is left through my boys maiden name live on RULE
N****z is foolish tryin to do whut I do, 'cause see
Nobody...Does it...Like me! And they know it they can't do it the same
But still they try, 'cause that's part of the game WHUT MY NAME?!

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "R.U.L.E." by Ja Rule are a boastful proclamation about the rapper's unique style and way of life. Ja Rule begins by stating that nobody is living life the way he is, and nobody else is able to spit rhymes the way he does. He talks about the hate and adversity he has faced in his life but has overcome it to become successful. He also mentions that agents have been scrutinizing his lyrics and actions, but his crimes are already committed. Ja Rule portrays himself as a natural born killer who can speak for himself with guns instead of words. He then warns others not to come at him, especially those who pretend to know him. He suggests that only a few people can control him because he is chosen, and when he is gone, people will recognize him as the RULE. In the second verse, he talks about how people are jealous and do evil, but he sees life from all angles. He is different from others because of his unique style and rare blood type. He suggests that people who imitate him are foolish because they can never do it the same way he does.

The song's lyrics show Ja Rule's pride in his unique style and persona. He is confident in his ability to rap and live his life how he pleases, despite any adversity he has faced. He warns others not to come at him and imitate him because they will never be able to match his style. The chorus is a repetition of the idea that nobody does it like Ja Rule. The song's message is primarily focused on self-praise and portrays Ja Rule as a unique and talented artist.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah (yeah)...Yeah (yeah)..
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm

You Know (you know)...Lets (lets)...Go (go)...(laughter)
Encouraging someone to come along with you and have fun

Yeah (yeah)...Yeah...
Reiterating excitement and enthusiasm

WHUTS MY NAME?!
Asserting Ja Rule's identity and reputation

They cool but they ain't R.U.L.E.
Acknowledging others may be good, but not as good as Ja Rule

They do, but don't do it like me
Others may try to imitate Ja Rule, but they can never do it as good

Nobody, nobody, Does it Like R.U.L.E.
Emphasizing Ja Rule's uniqueness and unmatched talent

Nobodys livin life the way that I live it
Ja Rule's lifestyle is unparalleled

Nobodys spittin and doin it, I spit it
Ja Rule's rapping is unmatched

But who f***in admitted
Challenging someone to speak up if they think they can match Ja Rule's skills

I'm one of the bigger biggest of n****z that done did it
Ja Rule is one of the most accomplished in his field

Been hated and delt wit it, when agents tap in my lyrics
Ja Rule has faced scrutiny and censorship for his music

So by the time that they hear it, the crime's already committed
Ja Rule's lyrics may incite violence or crime

Natural Born Killa, but that I'm already and then
Ja Rule possesses natural killer instincts

Murdah was the case, but I-N-see's been acquitted
Ja Rule has been accused of murder, but cleared of charges

The Agency's gettin livid, They wanted us to be finished
The authorities are angered by Ja Rule's success and want to bring him down

But we got unfinished business, Sned God as my witness
Ja Rule has more to achieve and will not be stopped

This is another testimony to my life and my story
Ja Rule's music tells his life story

Askin you hoes, Why should I talk when I got guns to speak for me
Ja Rule's actions speak louder than words

don't come at me homie, Especially tryin to act like you know me
Warning others not to try and impersonate him

Only if you can control me, Know where you been chosen befor me
Giving permission for someone to manage him, but only if they are worthy

To sit in ya grave, homie dig it, I'm hearin its lonely, But see
Challenging others to seek a legacy like his

These n****z incredible, throughout the ghettos of America
Ja Rule recognizes other talented rappers in the US

People, see these window I see through
Ja Rule sees things differently than others

Off they mirror they evil, jealous bulls*** that men do
Envy and jealousy corrupt others

Had I known it was you, there'd be no clue on who done killed you
Ja Rule can be dangerous to his enemies

N****z must have been able
Suggesting that his enemies should have known better than to cross him

To put caine through they nasals, They so high they see angels
Ja Rule's enemies are too influenced by drugs and are unable to make wise decisions

I see life from all angels, tangled, webs and weaves
Ja Rule has a complex understanding of life

Now n****z is able to kill like Kane all over the streets
Crime and violence are prevalent in society

100 degrees Ferenheite, hot as the hottest summer night
The atmosphere is tense and dangerous

Heatin up desperatly in the need of some ice, I'm nice
Ja Rule is calm and cool under pressure

Nobodys quite like, flow like rare blood types
Ja Rule's talent is rare and unique

I be wrong if I'm right, right if I'm wrong, I was the RULE born
Ja Rule is confident in his choices and decisions

When my legacy is left through my boys maiden name live on RULE
Ja Rule's legacy will continue through his family and children

N****z is foolish tryin to do whut I do, 'cause see
Others are not able to replicate Ja Rule's skills

WHUT MY NAME?!
Restating Ja Rule's identity and reputation

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHALON ANTON ALEXANDER, JEFFREY B ATKINS, BRANDON CASEY, BRANDON D CASEY, BRIAN CASEY, BRIAN D CASEY, IRVING LORENZO, KENDRED SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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