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 Warning
Ja Rule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I thank you for all the food you've given me
And all the health and strength
And may my family be held safely and strong
As well as myself
And I thank you for everything you've given me thus far, lord
And I beg your forgivness
For I sin everyday
Amen
[Chorus: Ja Rule]
They all want me dead or alive
But they'll never take me alive
I'll get even before I die
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
They all want me dead or alive
But they'll never take me alive
I'll get even before I die
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
[Ja Rule]
Nigga look at what the streets have done to me man
Hustlin and strugglin
I deserve a better hand
'cause I'm runnin these streets under they say
Motherfuckers like you can't relate
'cause you ain't all about the hustling all about the bustin
All about the thuggin, baby
Never let it go
If you gotta die, lie, shake it wit a fo'-fo'
Then do so, 'cause that's the life you chose
Shoul've fallowed the cracks in the road
You heart and your soul
'cause if there's one thing I know
Good niggaz come and they go
Bitch niggaz actin like ho's, merely needed to get treated like one
Hope you got yourself a gun niggaz
'cause you know I cock and blow niggaz
And if right silent the temp, get on some shit
Go on out, six feet deep and slump niggaz
'cause I'm a survivor like Destiny's Children
To the day of my demise
I'ma ask the lord why
[Chorus: Ja Rule]
They all want me dead or alive
But they'll never take me alive
I'll get even before I die
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
They all want me dead or alive
But they'll never take me alive
I'll get even before I die
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
[Ja Rule]
Take a look at what this worlds done made me
All I really want to do is be happy, and raise my family
But I'm strong, motherfuckers can't break me down
Niggaz really gonna hate me now
As I'm givin a fuck
I'm tryna get my life together
Shit a nigga can't ride forever
Tryna see a hundred mil' or better
Befo' I die
Don't ask me why, I
Got a fasination wit for freak ho's
New whips wit two seats and two do's
I've been waitin so long to explode
Now watch me cock back and unload
Bullets goin threw the chest and out the back
Shit is usually how the babry acts
Now the look in your face is so relaxed
Now your family moans and deals wit that
But me, I'm a survivor like Destiny's Children
Til the day of my demise
I'm gonna ask the lord why
[Chorus: Ja Rule]
They all want me dead or alive
But they'll never take me alive
I'll get even before I die
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
They all want me dead or alive
But they'll never take me alive
I'll get even before I die
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
[Ja Rule]
They all want me...Dead
Why the fuck would they want to see me live?
So I'm gearin up to get into some shit
Niggaz better kiss the wife and kids
It's just the way us niggaz live
And I run wit real niggaz that run wit big guns
That are designed to pop ya lid (Shit)
Never met a real nigga I didn't like
Never met a bitch nigga that I didn't fight
Now niggaz gon get down, and a nigga gon lay down
Dependin on how niggaz view life
And you'll never look in my eyes
And you'll never, ever smile
'cause your high, is comin down
And you can't touch me
But if you really want to fuck wit me
c'mon and get your heat my niggaz
Don't you ever prevoke my niggaz
Don't ever doubt this nigga
'cause I'm a survivor like Destiny's Child
Til the day of my demise
I'm gonna ask the lord why
[Chorus: Ja Rule]
They all want me dead or alive
But they'll never take me alive
I'll get even before I die
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
They all want me dead or alive
But they'll never take me alive
I'll get even before I die
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
[Repeat once]
In the beginning of the song, the artist Ja Rule starts by thanking God for all he has given him, especially his family and health. Despite his gratitude, he acknowledges his sinful nature and asks for forgiveness. He then transitions into the chorus, where he claims that the world wants him dead or alive, but he will get even before his demise. He goes on to describe how the streets have affected him and how he is a survivor, like Destiny's Child, until his demise, where he will ask the Lord why.
The story Ja Rule is telling in this song is one of a man who has been hardened by the streets and is willing to do anything to survive. He knows that the world is against him, but he will fight until the end. The lyrics show the desperation and intense pressure of life in the inner city, where violence and danger are a constant threat.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear god, I'm gonna teach you in this prayer
I am addressing God in this prayer and asking for his forgiveness and guidance.
And I thank you for all the food you've given me
I thank God for providing me with food to nourish my body.
And all the health and strength
I am grateful to God for my good health and strength.
And may my family be held safely and strong
I am asking God to protect and strengthen my family.
As well as myself
I am also asking God to protect and strengthen me as an individual.
And I thank you for everything you've given me thus far, lord
I am grateful to God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon me.
And I beg your forgiveness
I am asking God to forgive me for my sins.
For I sin everyday
I acknowledge that I am not perfect and make mistakes every day.
In your sons name, Christ Jesus
I am praying in the name of Jesus, who died for our sins.
Amen
I am ending my prayer with the word 'Amen', which means 'so be it'.
[Chorus: Ja Rule]
This is the chorus of the song.
They all want me dead or alive
People either want me dead or alive, but they will never take me alive.
But they'll never take me alive
I will never be taken alive.
I'll get even before I die
I will take revenge before I die.
'cause this world wants me...Dead or alive
The world wants me either dead or alive.
[Ja Rule]
This is Ja Rule's verse.
Nigga look at what the streets have done to me man
The difficulties of living in impoverished neighborhoods have affected me.
Hustlin and strugglin
I have had to work hard and struggle to survive.
I deserve a better hand
I feel that I should have been dealt a better hand in life.
'cause I'm runnin these streets under they say
I am a leader in the streets, according to urban colloquialisms.
Motherfuckers like you can't relate
You cannot relate to me and my experiences.
'cause you ain't all about the hustling all about the bustin
You do not have the same experience or understanding of the streets and hustling.
All about the thuggin, baby
I am accustomed to the violent and dangerous nature of the streets.
Never let it go
I will not let go of my street mentality.
If you gotta die, lie, shake it wit a fo'-fo'
If you have to die, do it while being a badass with a .44 caliber gun.
Then do so, 'cause that's the life you chose
If you have to die, it is because you chose this lifestyle.
Shoul've fallowed the cracks in the road
You should have followed your instincts instead of trying to be someone you are not.
You heart and your soul
Your heart and soul will guide you in life.
'cause if there's one thing I know
This is what I know.
Good niggaz come and they go
Good people come and go in this life.
Bitch niggaz actin like ho's, merely needed to get treated like one
Men who act like women and are disrespectful should be treated poorly.
Hope you got yourself a gun niggaz
I hope you have a gun to protect yourself.
'cause you know I cock and blow niggaz
I am quick to use my gun against those who threaten me.
And if right silent the temp, get on some shit
If I feel like someone is threatening me, I will act quickly.
Go on out, six feet deep and slump niggaz
I will kill anyone who threatens me or my life.
'cause I'm a survivor like Destiny's Children
I am a survivor, just like Destiny's Child (a popular girl group).
To the day of my demise
Until the day I die.
I'ma ask the lord why
I will ask God why things happened the way they did when I meet him in the afterlife.
Take a look at what this worlds done made me
This is what the world has made me.
All I really want to do is be happy, and raise my family
All I truly desire is to be happy with my family.
But I'm strong, motherfuckers can't break me down
I am a strong individual who cannot be broken by others.
Niggaz really gonna hate me now
People will hate me even more after hearing this song.
As I'm givin a fuck
I don't care what people think of me.
I'm tryna get my life together
I am trying to improve my life and situation.
Shit a nigga can't ride forever
I cannot ride the waves of the streets forever.
Tryna see a hundred mil' or better
I want to make a lot of money and be financially stable.
Befo' I die
Before I die.
Don't ask me why, I
I don't know why.
Got a fasination wit for freak ho's
I am fascinated with women who are promiscuous.
New whips wit two seats and two do's
I like fast and expensive cars with two doors.
I've been waitin so long to explode
I have been waiting for an opportunity to shine and succeed.
Now watch me cock back and unload
Now watch me use my gun to shoot my enemies.
Bullets goin threw the chest and out the back
The bullets will penetrate through the chest and exit out the back of the body.
Shit is usually how the babry acts
This is how violent scenes usually play out.
Now the look in your face is so relaxed
After being shot, the victim's face becomes relaxed in death.
Now your family moans and deals wit that
Now the victim's family must cope with the loss of their loved one.
But me, I'm a survivor like Destiny's Children
I will survive and continue to thrive, just like Destiny's Child.
Til the day of my demise
Until I die.
I'm gonna ask the lord why
I will ask God why things happened the way they did when I meet him in the afterlife.
They all want me...Dead
People want me dead.
Why the fuck would they want to see me live?
Why would they want me to live?
So I'm gearin up to get into some shit
I am preparing for conflict.
Niggaz better kiss the wife and kids
People need to say goodbye to their loved ones before they go to battle.
It's just the way us niggaz live
This is how we live in our community and culture.
And I run wit real niggaz that run wit big guns
I associate with other people who are also heavily armed and violent.
That are designed to pop ya lid (Shit)
These guns are designed to shoot and kill people.
Never met a real nigga I didn't like
I have never met a real person who I didn't like.
Never met a bitch nigga that I didn't fight
I have never encountered a fake person who I did not fight.
Now niggaz gon get down, and a nigga gon lay down
People will either surrender or die in a confrontation with me.
Dependin on how niggaz view life
This will depend on how violent and committed people are to their way of life.
And you'll never look in my eyes
You will never be able to directly confront me or challenge me.
And you'll never, ever smile
You will not find joy in this confrontation or situation.
'cause your high, is comin down
Your confidence and high spirits are beginning to diminish.
And you can't touch me
You will not be able to harm or touch me.
But if you really want to fuck wit me
However, if you are still committed to confronting me...
c'mon and get your heat my niggaz
...then you better bring your own weapons and be ready for a fight.
Don't you ever prevoke my niggaz
Do not create trouble or provoke my associates.
Don't ever doubt this nigga
Do not doubt my ability to defend myself and fight back.
'cause I'm a survivor like Destiny's Child
I am a survivor, just like Destiny's Child.
[Repeat once]
The chorus is repeated again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDRE S. PARKER, IRVING DOMINGO LORENZO, JEFFREY B. ATKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind