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.
Smokin' and Ridin'
Ja Rule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gangsta.. you know
Huh, gangsta, see'mon, hehe
Uhh.. got my nigga Vin Diesel in the house, why'know
Number one movie in the country and all that
Haha! Yo..
[Chorus: Ja Rule]
Come on get high with us (NIGGA!)
Come on and ride with us (BITCHES!)
'Cause, we're.. nuttin but some gangsters (YO!) smokin and ridin (YO!)
Come on get high with us (C'MON NIGGAZ!)
Come on and ride with us (YO!)
[Ja Rule]
Hey baby; see'mon and hop in my fo'-three-oh, S-E
And let's see, how quick you fall victim to this G
I'm a gangsta BITCH, a mack like Goldie
But I never let the strength of this money control money
Niggaz is somethin like pimps, the Rule is an O.G.
I make three G's a day, thirty-three a week
And my hoes hardly speak - they smoke while they ride
Just, blowin the driver, when I'm one car behind ya
(Nuttin but some gangsters) on Daytons and lowriders
And three-wheel motion, bumpin Tha Eastsidaz
I love Cali-for-ni-ay, on a hot day
Where the green is wetter, and the head is even better
(So get high tonight.. and if you rollin like I'm rollin
You ridin right.. and if she fuckin with them gangstas
Ain't nuttin nice.. and if you knowin what I'm knowin
Then live your life.. cause, we're..)
[Chorus]
(Cause, we're..)
[0-1]
(Nuttin but some gangsters..) Ridin by in them big trucks
Chrome wheels spinnin and killin niggaz with big bucks
See baby I came up, from bein a thug
From a nigga sellin them drugs on the corner throwin up slugs
(Show me love!) All of why'all biches want to ride with us
(Mask and gloves!) Up when it's time to fuck bitches
(Wanna be loved!) All you get is hard dick off the drugs
(Pass the bud!) Yo bitch I ain't seen none of that dub
But give me that Remi, a half a bottle already in me
I cop a ounce, from one stizzy, and smoke 'til I'm dizzy
Who ridin with me? Both of why'all bitches slide right in
Just me, you, and your friend - I'll be fuckin why'all 'til the mornin
See'mon, I love bitches with thongs on, that love to get it on
With gangsters, leavin they pussies warm
'til like four in the mornin, baby girl, I'm gone
Hop in the 6, devour your lawn BITCH, cause we're
[Chorus]
(Cause, we're..)
[Jodie Mack]
(Nuttin but some gangsters..) Holla!
And if you, bout the dollars then pop your collars
'Cause we ain't nuttin but some gangsters, nigga smokin and ridin
Who put it down for real, got this dough multiplyin
Straight, livin it up and fuckin with thugs
That push trucks that's sittin on dubs, not givin a fuck
Why'all niggaz know me, Chris Black slash the O.G.
So please believe I'm gangsta I control these streets
[Ja Rule]
Yo, nobody leaves nobody breathes until I enter the party
And ease up in a 550 Medina Ferrari
Pull in handicapped parkin, hop out with the lock in
And wink at the hoes while I walk in
Who's ridin and smokin tonight with players
And I ain't talkin bout them niggaz with them Marvin gators
I'm talkin bout them niggaz all up in fronts and gauges
And runnin up in spots and blazin, we call them gangsters, yo!
[Chorus]
[Outro: Ja Rule]
Cause, we're.. nuttin but some gangsters, smokin and ridin
Come on get high with us
Come on and ride with us
Cause, we're.. nuttin but some gangsters.. smokin and ridin
Come on get high with us
Come on and ride with us
Cause, we're.. nuttin but some gangsters
The song "Smokin' and Ridin'" by Ja Rule featuring Vin Diesel is all about living the gangsta lifestyle. The song talks about indulging in marijuana and sex while cruising in expensive cars. The opening lines allude to the fact that the famous actor Vin Diesel is present in the music video as well. Ja Rule proudly boasts about making money from various illegal enterprises, such as pimping, and how his female companions and business associates participate in these activities as well. The song is an ode to the gangsta lifestyle, where partying and hedonism are the prime objectives.
In essence, the song "Smokin' and Ridin'" is a celebration of the gangsta lifestyle. The lyrics talk about the thrill of driving expensive cars and smoking marijuana while engaging with women. Ja Rule is sending the message that gangstas are the ones living their lives to the fullest while everyone else is playing it safe. He glorifies the illegal activities and criminal lifestyle, painting a picture of how it is exciting and attractive. Moreover, he stresses the importance of loyalty and respect within the community.
Line by Line Meaning
Gangsta.. you know
Addressing the audience as gangsters and acknowledging their shared gangster lifestyle
Huh, gangsta, see'mon, hehe
Encouraging the audience to embrace their gangster lifestyle with a playful tone
Uhh.. got my nigga Vin Diesel in the house, why'know
Acknowledging a famous guest in attendance, adding to the perceived coolness of the gangster lifestyle
Number one movie in the country and all that
Further adding to the perceived coolness of the gangster lifestyle with a reference to Vin Diesel's successful movies
Hey baby; see'mon and hop in my fo'-three-oh, S-E
Inviting a woman to join the gangster lifestyle by getting into his impressive car
And let's see, how quick you fall victim to this G
Hinting at potential danger associated with the gangster lifestyle and the seductive nature of such danger
I'm a gangsta BITCH, a mack like Goldie
Proudly stating his gangster status, while drawing a comparison to a famous player from the 70s film 'The Mack'
But I never let the strength of this money control money
Asserting that although he makes a lot of money, he stays in control of his finances and doesn't let money control him
Niggaz is somethin like pimps, the Rule is an O.G.
Comparing other gangsters to pimps, stating himself as an O.G. (original gangster) and thus superior to other gangsters
I love Cali-for-ni-ay, on a hot day
Expressing love for California, particularly during hot weather
Where the green is wetter, and the head is even better
Referring to California's marijuana, which he enjoys smoking, along with the quality of sex he's having there
Yo bitch I ain't seen none of that dub
Asking for marijuana while addressing a woman (bitch) in a casual, disrespectful manner
Who ridin with me? Both of why'all bitches slide right in
Inviting women (bitches) to join in on the gangster lifestyle by getting into his car
See'mon, I love bitches with thongs on, that love to get it on
Expressing his sexual desires for women who wear thongs and enjoy having sex, further appealing to the gangster lifestyle's perceived hypermasculinity
'Til like four in the mornin, baby girl, I'm gone
Describing a night of partying and having sex, and then leaving abruptly in the early hours of the morning
Holla!
Announcing the beginning of a new verse
So please believe I'm gangsta I control these streets
Claiming control over areas where the gangster lifestyle prevails
Pull in handicapped parkin, hop out with the lock in
Boasting that he parks in privileged parking spots and carries a gun
And wink at the hoes while I walk in
Deliberately flirting with women (hoes) present while walking into a party or gathering
We call them gangsters, yo!
Referring to himself and others as gangsters, with the suggestion that they are cool and respected in their community
Come on get high with us
Inviting listeners to engage in drug and alcohol use, a common aspect of the gangster lifestyle
Come on and ride with us
Encouraging listeners to join in on the gangster lifestyle while driving around in fancy cars and listening to music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARCUS VEST, JEFFREY ATKINS, IRVING LORENZO, OTHA MILLER, CHRIS BRISTOLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind