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.
Rock Star
Ja Rule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Ja imitating guitar] Eh, uh, uh - here we go
Yea, yea
Murder Inc, uh, uh - classic shit
Yea y'all
I'm a rock star bay-bayyyyy (yea)
Yeahhh, yea, yea, uhh
[Chorus: Ja Rule]
I'm a rock star bay-bayyyyy
If they could only, read my mind
I'm a rock star bay-bayyyyy
If they could only, hear my cries
I'm a rock star bay-bayyyyy
If they would only re-alize
I'm a rock star bay-bayyyyy, hey hey
Only if they could live my life
[Ja Rule]
Said a nigga was RAISED up in the streets (yea mama I'm a thug)
And nuttin is stoppin for me (except for myself)
Is the Lord in me? (You and everyone else)
God please shine down on me
I'm not the only nigga that prays every day for forgiveness
This life is makin me substance abusive
The media always wants the exclusive
Well here it is - FUCK 'EM ALL - baby cause they're useless
Sometimes I feel all I need is my music
It fuckin sets me free, and let me breathe
Cause my niggaz ain't leavin they blood on the streets
for they kids not to eat, and they kids not to eat
REVOLUTION! Pick a side and draw heats
And may the best man hold his head on these here streets
Cause in life and in music I'm poised and I'm focused
And the world should take notice
[Chorus]
[Ja Rule]
Underworld ties, is where my heart lies
They do the drama, makin songs like "Ol' Blue Eyes"
that make the whole world sing..
It's alright if you don't understand me, it wasn't meant to be
Cause it's hard enough for me to fight for what I believe in
Than have to look in the mirror and see demons
Now everybody's talkin rhyme over reason
My only reason for rhymin is cause I bleed it
Here come the leeches; they gettin paid
off my talent, my love, my pain - am I a slave?
Bein cursed in my own brain
For this life I embrace and I praise
A nigga stuck in his ways
As the remix plays
Rule and J. Blige, "Rainy Days"
I think about life and music and how to stay focused
And the world should take notice
[Chorus]
[Ja Rule]
Hey, this is a message to mankind
I bust clearly you shoot blind, not in my right mind
Lord if you love me please throw up a sign
And take a nigga off the path of destroyin his life, and
This life we're livin the sign of the times
Where buildings take on planes, babies born with AIDS
And we all need change
So I became a rock star bay-bayyy (rock on)
Now they all gon' hate me (hate on)
But from the bottom of my heart I pray
That in life and in music the world stays focused
And I hope you all notice
[Chorus - repeat 2X]
The song "Rock Star" by Ja Rule is a self-reflective piece that gives insight into the life of a rap star. The song explores the psychological sides of fame and its effects on the singer's life. The chorus repeats with the lyrics "I'm a rock star baby" which conveys the feelings of superiority, confidence, and a sense of invincibility; this line acts as a self-affirmation of the singer's status. Ja Rule then laments about how people can't read his mind and hear his cries; this indicates that he feels like he's not being understood or fully appreciated for his talents. Ja Rule speaks openly about how substance abuse is taking over his life, a common affliction amongst the famous, and how he seeks solace in his music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a rock star bay-bayyyyy
I am a successful and well-known musician
If they could only, read my mind
If people truly knew me and what I am going through
If they could only, hear my cries
If people could truly hear my pain and struggles
If they would only re-alize
If people could only understand
Only if they could live my life
Only those who have experienced the same struggles can truly understand
Said a nigga was RAISED up in the streets (yea mama I'm a thug)
I grew up in a tough environment and had to toughen up to survive
And nuttin is stoppin for me (except for myself)
I am in control of my own success or failure
Is the Lord in me? (You and everyone else)
I wonder if my faith is guiding me or if I am making my own choices
God please shine down on me
I pray for guidance and help from a higher power
This life is makin me substance abusive
The stress and pressure of this lifestyle has led me to turn to drugs and alcohol
The media always wants the exclusive
The media is always seeking out exclusive stories or information, even if it is harmful or untrue
Well here it is - FUCK 'EM ALL - baby cause they're useless
I don't care about the media or their opinions, they are useless to me
Sometimes I feel all I need is my music
My music is my escape and my passion
Cause my niggaz ain't leavin they blood on the streets
I am working hard to create a better life for myself and my friends so they don't have to suffer or die in the streets
REVOLUTION! Pick a side and draw heats
I am ready to fight for what I believe in and choose a side in a revolution
And may the best man hold his head on these here streets
There is a lot of danger and competition on these streets, and only the strongest and smartest can survive
Cause in life and in music I'm poised and I'm focused
I am determined and focused on success in both my personal and professional life
Underworld ties, is where my heart lies
I feel connected to the criminal underworld and the lifestyle it represents
They do the drama, makin songs like "Ol' Blue Eyes"
They create music about the dramatic and dangerous aspects of their lives, like the mafia lifestyle portrayed in "Ol' Blue Eyes"
It's alright if you don't understand me, it wasn't meant to be
If people don't understand me or my music, it doesn't matter, as it wasn't intended for everyone
Cause it's hard enough for me to fight for what I believe in
I am struggling enough to fight for my own beliefs and success
Than have to look in the mirror and see demons
I don't want to face my own personal demons and struggles
Now everybody's talkin rhyme over reason
People are making music for the fame and money, rather than for the art or message
My only reason for rhymin is cause I bleed it
I write music because it is a natural part of who I am and what I feel
Here come the leeches; they gettin paid
People are trying to take advantage of my success and get money from me
off my talent, my love, my pain - am I a slave?
People are trying to profit from my natural talents, emotions, and experiences, and I feel like a slave to them
Bein cursed in my own brain
I am struggling with negative thoughts and emotions in my own mind
For this life I embrace and I praise
Despite the struggles and challenges, I am still grateful and happy to be living this life
A nigga stuck in his ways
I am set in my ways and am not easily swayed or influenced by others
As the remix plays
As the new version of the song plays
Rule and J. Blige, "Rainy Days"
Ja Rule and Mary J. Blige sing the song "Rainy Days" together
Hey, this is a message to mankind
This song is meant to communicate a message to all people
I bust clearly you shoot blind, not in my right mind
I am speaking clearly in this song, while others are lost and unclear in their own minds
Lord if you love me please throw up a sign
I am asking for a sign from God that he cares about me and is watching over me
And take a nigga off the path of destroyin his life, and
I am asking for help from God to guide me away from the destructive path I am on
This life we're livin the sign of the times
The way we are living now is a reflection of the current era and society
Where buildings take on planes, babies born with AIDS
The world is full of tragedy and disaster, such as terrorist attacks and children born with terminal illnesses
And we all need change
We need to make changes in our lives and society in order to improve and overcome these challenges
So I became a rock star bay-bayyy (rock on)
I am using my success and fame to try to make a positive impact and bring about change
Now they all gon' hate me (hate on)
Despite my good intentions, some people will still hate or criticize me
But from the bottom of my heart I pray
Despite the negativity, I continue to have hope and faith
That in life and in music the world stays focused
I hope that people can stay focused on what truly matters in both their personal and professional lives
And I hope you all notice
I hope that my message and music will be noticed and make a positive impact
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LENNY KRAVITZ, JEFFREY ATKINS, ANDRE PARKER, IRVING LORENZO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind