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 Manual
Ja Rule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You talk too much s***
You know n****z always talkin bout b****es ain't s***
Money over b****es
But give all our money to the b****es any f***in way
(I love my b****) So I'ma send some love out
to the b****es, holla
[Verse One]
S***, here's somethin to remember
When we met that day in September
But, you've been gone since November
Had to finish out yo' last college semester
Her major - brokerage investor
She probably go broke tryin to invest her
time and money in somethin that she call love
Cause, she love f***in with thug n****z
That always get high and had to be drug dealers
Eventually, she hooked up with some hood b****es
The hood b****es turned her on to strippin
Now the, gettin is good and it's well understood
That money on the wood can make things get harder
Be glad I'm not a pimp, if I was I'd charge ya
But for all that you go through, just thought I'd let you know
Hoes need love too, I'm f***in witchu
[Chorus: Ja Rule]
N****z need to read the man-you-al
To separate your housewife from a hoe
Cause there's no rules to this s*** here
Am I makin myself clear?
What she don't know won't hurt her why'all
So keep big pimpin on the low
Cause there's no rules to what I do
And I know, hoes need love too
[Verse Two]
You know what they say right? B****es ain't s***
And all men are dogs cause we just want to f***
Sundown to sun up, one up on a hoe
I might go down on the low, that's just me though
From L-A-X to Heathrow, I'm one of them n****z
that really doesn't need no, introduction
When I met her she was "Girl, Interrupted"
Grew up became a woman not to be trusted
Frustrated and flustered, living amongst
these thieves hoes and hustlers, I'm diggin what's next
She had a studio apartment in the projects
With her and her girl from D.C. used to bus checks
And hold the coke, her n****z ain't sold yet
In hopes the copes don't know about all this
Shiiiiit, for all that you go through
Just want to let you know, hoes need love too
[Chorus]
[Verse Three]
Fake nails, fake breasts, fake eyes too
It's oh-four, and that's kinda what we used to
But you don't holla back like you used to, but I ain't mad at cha
I'm happy for a b****, even if I can't have her
I remember when you was down in Atlanta
Workin gentlemen's clubs and you didn't even know what a gentlemen was
Forty to love and I want to serve
That body like Serena's with less curves
But actions speak louder than words, and you gettin your money
Mami every month, 15th and 1st
S*** could be worse, you could be in the struggle
Or born with no a** and have nothin to hustle
Go on flex your muscle, cause that ain't the case is it?
Go on get your paper keep flossin on these b****es
Cause for all that you go through
Just thought I'd let you know, hoes need love too, I'm f***in witchu
[Chorus: x 2]
[Ja Rule]
Ha ha ha, yeah, Rule
In The Manual, Ja Rule addresses the concept of men talking about money over women, while still giving all their money to women. He starts by introducing the idea of a girl he met in September who loved to date thugs and drug dealers, and eventually started stripping. He mentions that she invests her time and money in love, b ut it all goes in vain because she only finds thugs who are always high. Nevertheless, he shows empathy towards her and tells her that hoes need love too. In the second verse, he talks about how women try to look beautiful by fixing things like nails, breasts, and eyes. Despite not getting any response from his girl anymore, he is happy that she is getting all the money she can by working in gentlemen clubs. He sympathizes and tells her that she's doing the right thing by working hard and that hoes need love too.
The song's overall meaning is that men should not treat women badly, as without women, success is not possible. Also, it highlights the struggles of women striving to make a living.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Introduction to the song, expressing agreement or approval
You talk too much s***
Addressing the criticisms of men towards women and the language used towards them
You know n****z always talkin bout b****es ain't s***
Referring to the derogatory language used towards women by men
Money over b****es
Stating a preference for wealth over relationships
But give all our money to the b****es any f***in way
Despite the preference for money over relationships, men still spend a lot of money on women
(I love my b****) So I'ma send some love out
Expressing love towards women despite the criticisms and stereotypes mentioned earlier in the song
S***, here's somethin to remember
Introducing a story or memory about a woman
When we met that day in September
Recalling a particular moment in time when the artist met the woman
But, you've been gone since November
Indicating the end of the relationship or connection with the woman
Had to finish out yo' last college semester
Explaining a reason for the separation or end of the connection with the woman
Her major - brokerage investor
Describing the woman's college major or career path
She probably go broke tryin to invest her
Suggesting that the woman might not be successful in her investments despite her education
time and money in somethin that she call love
Commenting on the woman's investment in relationships or love
Cause, she love f***in with thug n****z
Explaining the type of men the woman typically associates with
That always get high and had to be drug dealers
Describing the type of behavior or lifestyle associated with the men the woman likes
Eventually, she hooked up with some hood b****es
Detailing a change in the woman's social circle or behavior
The hood b****es turned her on to strippin
Implying that the woman began working as a stripper due to influence from her new friends
Now the, gettin is good and it's well understood
Describing the woman's success in the stripper industry
That money on the wood can make things get harder
Suggesting that the abundance of money can cause problems in relationships or life in general
Be glad I'm not a pimp, if I was I'd charge ya
Humorously referencing the life of a pimp and the monetary benefits they receive
But for all that you go through, just thought I'd let you know
Acknowledging the hardships and struggles women face in their daily lives
Hoes need love too, I'm f***in witchu
Repeating the main message of the song: that women deserve love and affection regardless of their profession or lifestyle
N****z need to read the man-you-al
Referring to a manual or guide for understanding and interacting with women
To separate your housewife from a hoe
Encouraging men to distinguish or understand the difference between a woman who is looking for a committed relationship versus one who works in the sex industry
Cause there's no rules to this s*** here
Acknowledging the blurred lines and lack of rules when it comes to relationships and money
Am I makin myself clear?
Asking for clarity or understanding on the message being expressed
What she don't know won't hurt her why'all
Implying that secrets or unspoken truths will not cause harm to a relationship or connection with a woman
So keep big pimpin on the low
Encouraging men to continue living their lives or pursuing monetary gain even while in a relationship with a woman
And I know, hoes need love too
Repeating the song's message that women deserve love and affection
You know what they say right? B****es ain't s***
Referencing a common saying or stereotype about women
And all men are dogs cause we just want to f***
Reinforcing the stereotype that men are promiscuous and only interested in sex
Sundown to sun up, one up on a hoe
Describing the artist's lifestyle or sexual preferences
I might go down on the low, that's just me though
Acknowledging potential sexual behavior or preferences that might be seen negatively by others
From L-A-X to Heathrow, I'm one of them n****z that really doesn't need no, introduction
Boastfully sharing how successful or accomplished the artist is in their life
When I met her she was Girl, Interrupted
Referencing a popular movie about a woman struggling with mental health issues and describing the state of the woman's life when the singer met her
Grew up became a woman not to be trusted
Suggesting that the woman has experienced significant life changes or has become someone who is untrustworthy
Frustrated and flustered, living amongst these thieves hoes and hustlers, I'm diggin what's next
Describing the negative environment the woman lives in and the singer's curiosity or interest in it
She had a studio apartment in the projects
Detailing the woman's living situation
With her and her girl from D.C. used to bus checks
Describing the woman's financial situation or income
And hold the coke, her n****z ain't sold yet
Implying the woman is involved in drug selling or trafficking
In hopes the copes don't know about all this
Describing an attempt to keep illegal or dangerous behavior hidden from law enforcement
Shiiiiit, for all that you go through
Acknowledging the hardships and struggles women face in their daily lives
Just want to let you know, hoes need love too
Repeating the song's main message about deserving love and affection regardless of one's profession or lifestyle
Fake nails, fake breasts, fake eyes too
Describing the physical attributes of the women the artist typically interacts with
It's oh-four, and that's kinda what we used to
Reinforcing the idea that society has become accustomed to women with cosmetic enhancements
But you don't holla back like you used to, but I ain't mad at cha
Acknowledging a change in the woman's behavior or relationship with the artist, but expressing a lack of anger or resentment
I'm happy for a b****, even if I can't have her
Expressing happiness and support for the woman's success even if the singer cannot be with her
I remember when you was down in Atlanta
Recalling a particular moment or time in the woman's life
Workin gentlemen's clubs and you didn't even know what a gentlemen was
Describing the woman's likely profession or job
Forty to love and I want to serve
Referencing a tennis term and the singer's desire to please or impress the woman
That body like Serena's with less curves
Comparing the woman's body to a famous tennis player's, while also commenting on her body type or figure
But actions speak louder than words, and you gettin your money
Acknowledging the woman's success and work ethic
Mami every month, 15th and 1st
Describing a regular financial schedule or payday for the woman
S*** could be worse, you could be in the struggle
Comparing the woman's present situation to a potentially worse one
Or born with no a** and have nothin to hustle
Suggesting that the woman's physical attributes or appearance have contributed to her success as a stripper or in other areas of life
Go on flex your muscle, cause that ain't the case is it?
Encouraging the woman to continue pursuing her financial goals or aspirations
Go on get your paper keep flossin on these b****es
Encouraging the woman to continue financially supporting herself and enjoying life
Cause for all that you go through
Acknowledging the hardships and struggles women face in their daily lives
Just thought I'd let you know, hoes need love too, I'm f***in witchu
Repeating the main message of the song: that women deserve love and affection regardless of their profession or lifestyle
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: ATKINS, CORBETT, LORENZO, SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind