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.
The Inc.
Ja Rule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, that's right
Niggas just ain't, doin' it how we doin' it
Nah mean son? I G
[Chorus: x 2]
Murder INC.
Takin' flight
Betta get it right
[Caddillac Tah]
We go hard! yeah
Player not for nuttin'
I spit fo' and leave a nigga bent up fo' sho', get low
Only got love for gangsta niggas, get doe
That's for all the hatin' niggas waitin' to see me go
Down to the bottom
Chop up crack
Playin' the blocks and
Still wouldn't matter, push the rock well like Stockton
Paper chasin', chasin' acres
Operation get rich, take money over a bitch
You see me move low in the six and magazines a flicks
Playin' hard in the porch, plush
Young thuggin' and bossed up
Touch niggas clutchin' what they know they bustin'
We can do whatever nigga, whenever nigga
Really is nothing
Murder killa, we crush 'em, shit
Got the industry on romadon
While we celebrate tastin' bottles of Perinon
So for life it's murder
Ice burners, stacks and trucks
We after bucks, mother fucker!
Murder INC.
[Black Child]
Murder INC.'s the underdog
It's a blessin' to ball
We learn a lesson from why'all
How not to fall
Black Child will body a beat, this is airway robbery
When Murder INC. drop albums, that's when gangstas party
What chu know about Ferrari or Cadillac Escalade
Or bitches on Ecstasy, sexy
Eat, sleep, eat and watch freaks eat freaks
Throw it up, put it down for the streets
Who wouldn't fall in love, with a life like this
Hittin' hoes that's priceless
In tight icebergs shit
You can blame the drugs
It ain't gon' change to slugs
A famous thug
Pain is love, mother fuckers!
[Chorus: x 2]
[Ja Rule]
Who would've thought, we get away with manslaughter
Numerous cars, cribs off the water
A playa no longer, life's gettin' shorter
Tired of hoes takin' offers, instead of orders
The Rule don't condone this
Cause in the late '60's this game was flawless
Until blow got on the rise
Them ol' Jacks was slingin' pies in bell bottoms and buttonflies
But now, pop yo collars, blow set for sag
And we still fly birds L-A-X to Lag
They roll caddies with white walls, we ride Benz with mags
Still the goal remains the same, guard from feds
Why-D to O-G, the game chose me
Are-you-L-E the INC. and I-G
We never gon' break free from this life we live as thugs
Pain is love, it's murda
[Chorus: x 2]
[Ashanti]
You see the life we live, we on the murderous shit
And every time we breathe, it's Murder I-N-see
You know it's love to thug, cause thug is in our blood
And how we paint this shit, stay on that gangsta shit
You see the life we live, we on the murderous shit
And every time we breathe, it's Murder I-N-see
You know it's love to thug, cause thug is in our blood
And how we paint this shit, stay on that gangsta shit
Stay on that gangsta shit, stay on that gangsta shit
Stay on that gangsta shit
See what we do when we do what we do when we do it
Stay on that gangsta shit
The song "The Inc." by Ja Rule featuring Black Child, Ashanti, and Cadillac Tah emphasizes the luxury and dangerous lifestyle of the Murder Inc. collective. The lyrics are characterized by a dominant gangsta narrative that glorifies violence, murder, and drug dealing as a means of survival in the streets. The song also suggests a sense of pride in the Murder Inc. sound, with the group being portrayed as a top contender in the rap game.
One interpretation of the first verse is that rapper Cadillac Tah is pointing out that other rap groups are not as good as Murder Inc. and that they can't do what Murder Inc. does in creating their unique sound. The repeated chorus of "Murder Inc. takin' flight, we go hard, betta get it right," suggests that Murder Inc. is invincible, and no other group can compete. Black Child's verse adds to the narrative of the group's unique lifestyle, mentioning Ferraris, Cadillac Escalades, and bitches on ecstasy.
Ja Rule's verse is more introspective, detailing the trials and tribulations of the gangster lifestyle, including shorter life expectancy and constant danger of legal trouble. However, the chorus and overall theme of the song still emphasize the freedom and power that comes with being a member of Murder Inc.
Overall, "The Inc." is a typical "gangsta rap" song that portrays a violent and luxurious lifestyle with no regard for consequences.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, that's right
Acknowledgment that they are doing something different/better than others.
Niggas just ain't, doin' it how we doin' it / Nah mean son?
Others are not doing it as well as they are, meaning they are superior.
Murder INC. / Takin' flight / We go hard / Betta get it right
The group, Murder INC., is doing something big and they are doing it with force. Others need to recognize this.
We go hard! yeah / Player not for nuttin'
They are committed to their lifestyle, and they will succeed or fail because of their actions. They are in it for the long haul, regardless of what others may think.
I spit fo' and leave a nigga bent up fo' sho', get low
Their words carry power and can have a physical impact on others. They will leave others in their wake.
Only got love for gangsta niggas, get doe
They only respect those who are willing to live and fight like gangsters. Money is also an important aspect of their lifestyle.
That's for all the hatin' niggas waitin' to see me go / Down to the bottom
Those who want to see them fail will be disappointed because they are determined to succeed no matter what. They will not fall to the bottom.
Chop up crack / Playin' the blocks and / Still wouldn't matter, push the rock well like Stockton
Even if they were selling drugs or playing sports, they would still be successful because they have the drive to make it happen. They compare themselves to John Stockton because of his consistency and success in basketball.
Paper chasin', chasin' acres / Operation get rich, take money over a bitch
Their main goal is to accumulate wealth, and they prioritize money over anything else, including relationships with women.
You see me move low in the six and magazines a flicks / Playin' hard in the porch, plush
They are attracting attention from the media and they live a lavish lifestyle, including driving around in expensive cars.
Young thuggin' and bossed up / Touch niggas clutchin' what they know they bustin'
They are young and powerful, and they are confident in their ability to take control in difficult situations. Others know not to mess with them.
We can do whatever nigga, whenever nigga / Really is nothing / Murder killa, we crush 'em, shit
They do not have limits to what they can do, and they will take on any challenge or obstacle in their way. They will also take down anyone who tries to mess with them.
Got the industry on romadon / While we celebrate tastin' bottles of Perinon / So for life it's murder
They are in control of their industry and are celebrating their success, despite the challenges they face. Their lifestyle is centered around violence and pursuing power and wealth.
Ice burners, stacks and trucks / We after bucks, mother fucker!
They will do whatever it takes to get money, including illegal activities. They are not afraid to take risks to achieve success.
Murder INC.'s the underdog / It's a blessin' to ball / We learn a lesson from why'all / How not to fall
They are underestimated and overlooked, but this actually benefits them. They have learned from others' mistakes and use this knowledge to avoid failure.
Black Child will body a beat, this is airway robbery / When Murder INC. drop albums, that's when gangstas party
Black Child is a talented rapper who dominates the music scene. When Murder INC. releases new music, it becomes a cause for celebration for gangsters.
What chu know about Ferrari or Cadillac Escalade / Or bitches on Ecstasy, sexy
They live a life of luxury that others cannot relate to. They also enjoy indulging in sexually explicit activities.
Eat, sleep, eat and watch freaks eat freaks / Throw it up, put it down for the streets / Who wouldn't fall in love, with a life like this
Their lifestyle is centered around violence, sex, and indulgence, and they believe it is an easy life to grow attached to.
Hittin' hoes that's priceless / In tight icebergs shit
They have sex with women who are deemed valuable or desirable, and they have a taste for expensive jewelry.
You can blame the drugs / It ain't gon' change to slugs / A famous thug / Pain is love, mother fuckers!
They may be involved in drug use, but it will not change the violent nature of their lifestyle. They are famous for being tough and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Their willingness to endure pain contributes to their success.
Who would've thought, we get away with manslaughter / Numerous cars, cribs off the water
They have gotten away with committing violent crimes and are living in luxury, including owning waterfront properties and expensive cars.
A playa no longer, life's gettin' shorter / Tired of hoes takin' offers, instead of orders
They recognize that their lifestyle will not last forever and that they need to make the most of it. They are also fed up with women who do not respect them and are not willing to take orders from them.
The Rule don't condone this / Cause in the late '60's this game was flawless / Until blow got on the rise / Them ol' Jacks was slingin' pies in bell bottoms and buttonflies
Ja Rule does not approve of some aspects of the current lifestyle. He believes that in the past, the violent aspect of the game was under control, but with the rise of drug use, it has become more dangerous and unpredictable.
But now, pop yo collars, blow set for sag / And we still fly birds L-A-X to Lag / They roll caddies with white walls, we ride Benz with mags
Fashion and style have become an important aspect of their lifestyle. They enjoy expensive cars and flying on private planes.
Still the goal remains the same, guard from feds / Why-D to O-G, the game chose me / Are-you-L-E the INC. and I-G / We never gon' break free from this life we live as thugs / Pain is love, it's murda
Their main priority is to avoid getting caught by law enforcement. They are proud to be part of Murder INC. and they will never fully leave their violent lifestyle behind. They believe that their willingness to endure pain is what makes them successful.
You see the life we live, we on the murderous shit / And every time we breathe, it's Murder I-N-see / You know it's love to thug, cause thug is in our blood / And how we paint this shit, stay on that gangsta shit
Their lifestyle is violent, and they embody it at all times. They have a natural inclination to live as thugs, and they will continue to do so. They take pride in portraying their lifestyle through music and other forms of media.
Stay on that gangsta shit, stay on that gangsta shit / Stay on that gangsta shit / See what we do when we do what we do when we do it / Stay on that gangsta shit
They will continue to live the violent, gangster lifestyle no matter what, and they make no apologies for it. They are determined to succeed and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING LORENZO, RAMEL GILL, TIHEEM CROCKER, JEFFREY ATKINS, ASHANTI DOUGLAS, 7 MARCUS AURELIUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind