On this day in Hip Hop history, Queens rapper Ja Rule released his debut LP Venni Vetti Vicci. As the first release ofrom Irv Gotti‘s Murder Inc. record label, this project carried a lot of weight on its shoulders as the breakthrough for not only Ja Rule’s career but the career and integrity of Murder Inc Records as a whole.
Fortunately enough, the album was a hit and launched Ja Rule and Murder Inc. up among the ranks of some of New York’s most respected and successful rappers. Ja Rule’s force, style, and energy blended perfectly with and help grow the popularity of the East Coast hardcore movement that was taking place in the late 90s and early 2000s.
The mix of high energy, club jam production and hardcore gangster lyricism is what made this album so appealing. Although it could be said that Ja Rule wasn’t the greatest with the pen, the party appeal of this project kept it flying off the shelves in record stores across the country. The album’s commercial reception was more than any one could ask for a debut album peaking at #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart and #3 on the Billboard 200 chart all while going platinum in the year of its release.
Ashanti Is best known for her R&B classics and Hip Hop collaborations. It’s no wonder she was crowned “The Princess of Hip Hop and R&B” so early in her career. After her eponymous debut album was released in 2002, she became a global sensation. Her debut single, “Foolish,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and announced her presence with a bang. From then on, Ashanti successfully became the go-to singer for Hip Hop collabs. She has since been featured on a number of tracks by some of the biggest rappers around.
Ashanti has partnered with many celebrities as a singer and songwriter. In 2022, her efforts were further crowned with a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She remains one of the most influential musical artists of all time. Additionally, Ashanti’s Hip Hop collabs also helped popularize the rapper and singer duo. Her longtime partnerships with Ja Rule, and features on tracks by Fat Joe, Plies, and more, have made her a Hip Hop darling.
With over two decades of success, Ashanti’s career is quite enviable. Like many other musicians, she also made a reasonably notable crossover into acting. Her most famous roles are in John Tucker Must Die and Army Wives. She held the 2000s down as a singer with several notable Hip Hop collabs.
“Always On Time” (2001)
“Always on Time” is unarguably one of the most successful songs of the 2000s. The 2001 single is one of many timeless Hip Hop collabs by Ja Rule and Ashanti. “Always on Time” was released as the second single from Ja Rule’s third album, Pain is Love. “Always on Time” further reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking Ashanti’s first No. 1 song. It also put the singer on the map ahead of her mega-successful debut single “Foolish” was released. “Always on Time” is the song that set eyes on Ashanti and kicked off her journey in the public eye.
“What’s Luv?” (2002)
“What’s Luv?” is a single by Fat Joe that features Ja Rule and Ashanti vocals. Released in February of 2002, the song dominated airwaves around the world. It was the second single off Fat Joe’s fourth album, Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E). “What’s Luv?” was Ashanti’s second Hip Hop collab that performed exceptionally well on charts worldwide. The single also reached the penultimate spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was blocked from the top spot by Ashanti’s debut single, “Foolish.” “What’s Luv?” has become one of Ashanti’s signature songs over the years, and rightfully so.
“Unfoolish” (2002)
Though released over two decades ago, “Foolish” is still widely considered to be Ashanti’s signature track. The R&B single spent ten whole weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. “Unfoolish,” while not a hit song, was a promotional single that featured a verse from The Notorious B.I.G. His guest appearance on the track was thanks to a verse from his song “F—king You Tonight.” Overall, “Unfoolish” has quickly become a cult favorite from Ashanti’s endless Hip Hop collabs.
“Mesmerize” (2002)
Ashanti and Ja Rule reigned supreme in the early 2000s, and “Mesmerize” is one of their standout tracks. The 2003 Hip Hop track features Ashanti and Ja Rule confessing their desire for one another. Both artists also appeared in the music video greatly inspired by the musical Grease. In the now iconic video, Ashanti and Ja Rule play a series of amusement park attractions before riding off together. “Mesmerize” hit the penultimate spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and is another staple in both artists’ discographies.
“Into You” (2003)
The “Into You” music video may have featured Tamia’s re-recorded vocals, but Ashanti’s voice on the album track is unmistakable. “Into You” is a Hip Hop love song by Fabolous, with vocals by Ashanti. Irv Gotti famously refused the singer to appear in the video, which led to Tamia’s version. However, Ashanti still received credit on official singles charts due to the mass appeal of both the album and single versions.
“Pac’s Life” (2006)
“Pac’s Life” is a song that celebrates the life of rap icon Tupac Shakur. The famous single was released as a part of the artist’s posthumous album release. “Pac’s Life” is a Hip Hop and R&B collab that features T.I. and Ashanti. Furthermore, the music video of “Pac’s Life” was highly anticipated and debuted on BET in November 2006. “Pac’s Life” was also filmed at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center, and T.I. and Ashanti appeared in the video paying homage to the legend. With the announcement of an incoming Tupac biography, the single has enjoyed more airplay.
“Body On Me” (2008)
Nelly and Ashanti have rekindled their romance after a decade apart. In 2008, the rapper featured Ashanti and Akon on the track “Body on Me.” Initially meant for her album The Declaration, the single was recorded while the pair were dating. Moreover, the Hip Hop and R&B collab features Ashanti’s sultry vocals anticipating a steamy night with her man. “Body on Me” didn’t achieve mainstream success but resonated with fans of the couple at the time.
A lot of people are selling their music catalog these days in the rap game, and some deals are absolutely massive. For example, Metro Boominsold a portion of his work in a $70 million deal, a high bar that other artists like Futurealso set. However, those kinds of deals aren’t for everyone, and Ja Rule in particular has some ground rules when it comes to potentially putting his records up for sale. While speaking to Bloomberg Business, the rapper expressed that he has been considering the sale. Still, there’s an important component to where he wants that sort of money to go in the long run.
“I’ve found out recently that my catalog is very lucrative,” Ja Rule remarked. “So I’ll be looking [to sell]. I’ve really been talking about doing a reversion deal where I would probably give up half my catalog and it would revert back to my family. I think it’s kinda hard to put a number on the value. Usually, the value of the music starts to go down as the artist starts to go away. The value of the music starts to depreciate.
#Rapper and media mogul Ja Rule says he’s weighing. selling his #music catalogue. He sat down with Bloomberg’s Scarlet Fu and Romaine Bostick to discuss the value of music. #musictiktok#JaRuke#rap
“So it’s kinda weird but what’s happening now is right now we get less than a fraction of a cent for a stream, but that number is going up,” he went on. “It’s going up to about 15 percent. So with that happening, I think a lot of these companies are realizing the money that’s out there.” While he didn’t bring up a specific number, Ja Rule’s catalog must be worth quite the pretty penny. After all, beyond his established hip-hop legacy, he has eight Billboard Top 10 hits, three of those being No. 1 smashes, and two No. 1 albums.
Other prominent hip-hop figures have also sold their catalog, whether from the old guard, the new, or somewhere in between. Producer Zaytovenrecently did so, as well as Chuck D selling a large part of Public Enemy’s work. For those less in tune with the industry, this might seem like a bizarre and almost detrimental move. Regardless, it sometimes ends up being the best financial move for artists to keep making their money, whereas others don’t see it happening anytime soon. For more updates and the latest news on Ja Rule, log back into HNHH.
Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland has been back in the public eye recently. McFarland, who was released from prison last year, let attendees down with his failed festival, but he also left local workers hanging, who didn’t get the payment they deserved for their contributions to the event. Now, though, McFarland is cooking up a plan to get them their money, and it involves getting in the boxing ring with Ja Rule.
On the April 28 episode of the Off The Record podcast, McFarland chats with host DJ Akademiks. At one point during the conversation, McFarland took a FaceTime call with an associate, who spoke about a potential boxing match between McFarland and Ja Rule. Somebody is apparently willing to pay $350,000 to make a “15-minute” fight between the two happen, which McFarland said would “get every worker in the Bahamas paid back in full,” with neither McFarland or Ja Rule receiving any payment themselves.
As for how that bout would go, McFarland said, “He’ll probably beat me, like 80-percent chance he wins, and that’s fine.”
McFarland, meanwhile, is working on launching another music festival. He explained, “It’s in the best interest of those I owe for me to be working. People aren’t getting paid back if I sit on the couch and watch tv.”
Check out the podcast clip above and listen to the full Off The Record episode here.
The Fyre Festival was supposed to be a luxury music festival, organized by entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule. They scheduled the festival to take place in the Bahamas in April and May 2017. Many high-profile celebrities heavily promoted the festival on social media, promising an unforgettable experience on an exclusive island. However, when the festival-goers arrived at the island, they discovered that the reality was far from what had been advertised.The festival was a complete disaster. There was little to no infrastructure, lack of proper accommodations, inadequate food, and no musical acts. The festival-goers were left stranded on the island with no way to leave, as there were not enough flights to transport everyone back to the mainland. The incident sparked outrage and a flurry of negative media attention. In the end, it led to lawsuits against both McFarland and Ja Rule.
After the disaster of the first Fyre Festival, McFarland and Ja Rule announced a second Fyre Festival, which they promised would be bigger and better. However, this event was also cancelled due to the negative publicity and legal issues surrounding the first festival. McFarland was later arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud, money laundering, and wire fraud related to the Fyre Festival. In 2018, he pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud and was sentenced to six years in federal prison. The Fyre Festival has since become an infamous example of how not to organize a music festival, and a cautionary tale for those who want to start a new business venture. Billy McFarland seems not to have learned his lesson, though.
Recently, Billy McFarland took to Twitter to announce that Fyre Festival II was indeed happening. Though he has already spent time in prison for the first iteration and still owes millions upon millions, he persists. If nothing else, you have to give him credit for his resilience. Now, in effort to pay back the employees in the Bahamas who still have not been paid, McFarland wants Ja Rule to take part in a fight.
Allegedly, someone is willing to pay $350,000 to watch Ja Rule and McFarland duke it out for 15 minutes. If they do it, all of the unpaid people that were employed in the first Fyre Festival will get paid. Whether or not Ja Rule is even willing to entertain this idea remains to be seen. Something tells us he won’t be into it, as he has already denied any involvement with Fyre Festival II. What do you think about the plan to repay the employees? Let us know in the comments!
Many people forgot what Ja Rule brought when 50 Cent came in. Fif seemingly ran Hip Hop for a while, but Ja Rule had a run before him. It’s funny how quickly we forget these things. Ja helped carry Murder Inc. and was instrumental in why they were a force in the 2000s. The world couldn’t get enough of Ja Rule between hits with Jennifer Lopez and Ashanti.
His unique voice caught people’s attention, and women fell in love whenever he was in a video shirtless. Since his debut album, he has starred in movies and television shows. After his sophomore album, Rule 3:36, he landed his first acting role. He starred in the film, Turn it Up, before appearing in the original The Fast and The Furious. Ja Rule is important to Hip Hop, and whether or not he is a Top 50 rapper of all time continues to be debated. Let’s take a look at some of his hit songs!
13. “Thug Lovin’” ft. Bobby Brown (2002)
Ja Rule was able to get Bobby Brown back in the booth. The New Edition icon hadn’t appeared on a song in five years before this. ”Thug Lovin” was another Hip Hop/R&B single for Ja. It’s what he does best, after all.
12. “Clap Back” (2003)
Ja Rule did not back down from 50 Cent and G-Unitduring their feud. Why would he? He came into the game first and solidified himself as a major artist. His hands were full dealing with 50, but he made sure to react. ”Clap Back” is a diss record to 50 Cent and Eminem. This is a response to 50’s hit record, “Wanksta”.
11.“Caught Up” ft. Lloyd (2004)
“Caught Up” was a good record. However, it may have been overshadowed by his highly publicized beef with 50 Cent. Also, “New York” was a big hit, so this single seemed an afterthought. Ja keeps his streak with another pleasing Hip Hop/R&B record for the ladies. ”Caught Up” is one of the last singles we get from Ja as his career starts to unwind.
10.“Down A** B****” ft. Charlie Baltimore (2001)
“Down A** B****” is another great ballad in Ja’s catalog. He officially has a hit with all the women of Murder Inc, first with Vita, then Ashanti, and now Charli Baltimore. Ja works best with women. Any woman he does a track with becomes memorable. The video was even better as the two play a couple trying to escape the police. Ja Rule and Baltimore make the lyrics come to life in this mini-movie.
9.“Holla Holla” (1999)
“Holla Holla” was the introduction of Ja Rule. This was his debut single off his debut album, Venni Vetti Vecchi. This record brought Ja radio success as fans enjoyed his rough voice. It was different. Just like Jadakiss’s raspy voice, Ja’s voice was considered edgy. ”Holla Holla” is a song made for a club or party. Who would’ve thought this wasn’t a lane he’d stay in?
8. “Wonderful” ft. Ashanti & R.Kelly (2004)
“Wonderful” is another gem in Ja Rule’s catalog. It’s always a no-brainer when he links up with Ashanti. It was a surprise to see R. Kelly join the duo as well. This song wouldn’t be a hit without the R&B crooner. It reached the No. 5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
7. “I Cry” (2000)
Besides Ashanti and Jennifer Lopez, Ja Rule also made great music with Lil’ Mo. “I Cry” is the second time they are on the same track, and it is a gem in Ja’s catalog. In this single, he shows a different side of himself as he appears more vulnerable. Lil’ Mo nails the chorus making it hard not to sing along. “I Cry” is the perfect mix of R&B and Hip Hop.
6. “Livin’ It Up” ft. Case (2001)
It’s clear Ja Rule knew how to have a good time. “Livin’ It Up” is a party record you can still play today. The song was featured in the movie Friday After Next, as it was played during Craig and Day-Day’s Christmas party. It’s different from Ja’s typical hits catered toward women.
With this one, everyone can enjoy this in a social setting. “Livin’ It Up” can be played at a celebration, a cookout, or in your car on a lovely sunny day. Ja links with R&B singer Case, whose chorus elevates the song to another level. Another great thing about this song is the use of Stevie Wonder’s classic “Do I Do.” Irv Gotti turned a favorite into a hit.
5. “Always On Time” ft. Ashanti (2001)
Ja Rule and Ashanti would’ve made a killing if they were just a duo. When they hop into the studio together, it’s always a hit. They have another one with “Always on Time.” The two always come up with catchy tunes, whether Ja with his witty lines or Ashanti’s response to his verses. It’s not hard to fall in love with a song like “Always on Time.” Ja saw a lot of success with this hit. This was his first No. 1 song as a lead artist on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s truly one of the best songs of the 2000s.
4. “Between Me & You” ft. Christina Milian (2000)
Ja Rule links with Christina Milian for “Between Me & You.” Off his Rule 3:36 album, it’s one of Ja’s more popular tracks. The song is another one for the ladies as Ja expects his woman to keep their business between them. Ja effortlessly flows over this unusual but brilliant beat produced by Irv Gotti. This is actually Ja’s first song to be successful on the charts. It reached the No. 11 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Usually, he collaborates with Ashanti for the hits, but this time he got it right with Christina Milian.
3. “Put It On Me” ft. Vita & Lil Mo (2000)
Lil’ Mo shines at the start of “Put It On Me.” When this song comes on, people love to sing her introduction. Then, everyone enjoys mimicking Ja’s first line: “What would I do without my baby?” The music video was a staple as it often appeared on BET’s 106 & Park. The popular music series even retired the video after regularly being on the countdown.
2. “Mesmerize” ft. Ashanti (2002)
It’s safe to say Ja knows how to speak to the ladies. Most of his hit songs cater to women, especially a track like “Mesmerize.” Women would sing Ashanti’s part word for word as she responds to Ja in the chorus. Back then, the Queens rapper would have the ladies enchanted. Often, Ja could be seen shirtless with a durag while rapping in his unique, rough voice. Ladies couldn’t get enough of him.
The music video to “Mesmerize” was just as good as the song. Ja and Ashanti get their acting on as the video is inspired by the popular film, Grease. “Mesmerize” gives the duo their fourth Top 10 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song has a few catchy moments making it easy to memorize the lyrics.
Ja Rule might hold the crown for New York’s best anthem. Jay-Z made “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys in 2009, but Ja’s song for New York was a true Hip Hop anthem. We’re not knocking Hov’s song because Keys is simply amazing, but the Murder Inc. captain joined forces with two other heavyweights in Hip Hop. Fat Joe and Jadakiss make the song even more New York! The song represented New York across the board, with the three artists coming from three different boroughs. Songs like this can’t be replicated because of the record’s authenticity. Before this song, there wasn’t a straightforward anthem for the state responsible for Hip Hop. Ja Rule made it clear that this would be the song for all boroughs. People all over the nation were rapping, “I’m from New York, New York.”
It would be angering to pay thousands of dollars to go to a luxurious private island full of one’s favorite musicians, artists, and celebrities—only to find out that the only activities they would be taking part in are the bare act of survival. This is precisely what happened to hundreds of attendees who arrived on the first day of the Fyre Festival in the Caribbean. This festival came together, or rather, fell apart, under the watchful eyes of founders Billy McFarland and Ja Rule.
It’s been a few years since the Fyre Festival dominated the headlines. In that time, quite a bit has happened. McFarland, who was initially sentenced to six years in federal prison, served four years. This reportedly included two periods spent in solitary confinement. On the other hand, Ja Rule was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing in connection to the event. This may have surprised many, considering how much he touted his involvement. But how did he get involved? Was any of the responsibility his? And the big question—where are both of them now?
Before Fyre, There Was Magnises
Billy McFarland was known in certain circles for being a whiz kid regarding his salesmanship. Young, energetic, and completely charming, he managed to find a variety of investors for a wide swath of projects throughout his career. The first one to become something “big” was NY-based credit card company Magnises. This company catered to a new wave of millennials recently moving to New York City—a group with expendable income but no community to invest money into. Through the services McFarland created through Magnises, he created the illusion of an exclusive world available only to members. There was a clubhouse accessible to the “elite” members, along with membership-only exclusive offers.
Through Magnises, McFarland met Ja Rule, who he booked as an artist to perform. McFarland’s difficulty attempting to book Ja Rule in the first place birthed their relationship. McFarland recounted in later testimony that the amount of hoops he had to jump through to get through to Ja inspired him to come up with the idea for Fyre— and to bring Ja in on the ground level. The beginning of the Fyre festival came as Magnises was coming to an end.
The Charade Of Billy McFarland
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 7: Andy King and Billy McFarland attend the Magnises Dinner Party at 22 Greenwich Ave on August 7, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Magnises was a company that seemed too good to be true. They offered exclusive tickets to shows that were consistently difficult to access at a fraction of the cost. They also provided a full-on playhouse for their NY-based clients. Unfortunately, it was too good to be true because it was. The basis of the company was a ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’ situation. McFarland and his partners would announce they sold tickets to high-price events months in advance. However, this was done to bolster funds to pay off their previous promises to clients. This kept them consistently one-half-step ahead of the “exclusive” offers they provided. As if that wasn’t enough to cast a dark cloud over Magnises’ reputation, their lack of financial security was only the first shoe to drop.
Customers began complaining about the service Magnises provided. Their exclusive ticket offers began to be less and less reliable. Reservations promised to customers would be canceled hours before they were scheduled. At the same time, the clubhouse McFarland was leasing for Magnises members was taken away after the owner found the place trashed. As all this became public, an even bigger scandal presented itself. This time, connected to Magnises’ leading investor, Aubrey McClendon.
The Feds announced several indictments against McClendon, including antitrust and conspiracy charges. Less than 24 hours after the indictment, McClendon was found dead in a “mysterious, fiery car crash” that killed him instantly. McFarland, who heavily relied on McClendon to keep Magnises afloat, began to scramble to figure out his next move. Enter Ja Rule.
Ja Rule Fyre Fest: The Beginning
Although Magnises was falling apart, McFarland had already begun creating a new version of his business. This time he was bringing Ja Rule along with him. After their initial meetings, McFarland gave Ja Rule a title (in name only) at Magnises. In essence, Ja acted as the public persona that drew in other celebrities and artists to participate in events McFarland threw with Magnises. A glorified brand spokesman may not have been on Ja’s original career path, but it spiraled into something bigger.
It was through their relationship that the two brainstormed the concept of Fyre. Contrary to what it may seem based on the festival itself, Fyre started as an app that would act as a booking tool for the public. Something that would allow anyone with the funds available to place an offer to a celebrity for an appearance. The app had the potential to be something significant. McFarland and Ja Rule both seemed to believe in the vision. So much so, that they were ready to put their full efforts into the marketing and advertising of Fyre. Their overzealous desire to make people aware of Fyre the app birthed Fyre the festival.
From An App To A Festival
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 14: Wale and Billy McFarland attend Wale performs at Magnises Holiday Party at Magnises House Soho on December 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jonathon Ziegler/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The McFarland financial foundations had taken a major hit when McClendon’s empire fell. McClendon had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into Magnises, and now those funds were not only frozen but were tied up amid a federal indictment. Around that time, McFarland met Carola Jain, the wife of a hedge fund manager and investor. She became McFarland’s biggest supporter through encouragement and her seemingly unending bank account. Jain was the biggest financial investor in Fyre—not the app, though. The festival.
The festival itself was touted as one of the most exclusive, lavish, never-before-seen experiences the world had ever encountered. It all started with a bright orange square that spread across social media. Copying the effective tool of political organizers on social media, Fyre Festival created an initial buzz around by simply simul-posting a neon orange square on social media platforms.
Influencer Culture
Anchored by some of the biggest supermodels and influencers in the world, McFarland and Ja created a total onslaught of marketing. Photos and social media posts were launched by a carefully selected group of some of the most influential, powerful, and highest-paid supermodels in the world. McFarland and his team frontloaded hundreds of thousands of dollars in the budget at the pinnacle of influencer marketing. Throughout the festival promotion, Ja Rule was at the forefront. The rap icon threw his co-founder title wherever possible as his social media flooded with Fyre-related activity. While McFarland oozed charm and was the perfect salesman to make him the man behind the money, Ja Rule was the man in front of the camera.
Springboarding off his celebrity status and built-in influencer status, McFarland’s relationship with Ja was a part of the initial buy-in. It lent some form of credibility—however little—and allowed people to feel that the project may have a layer of legitimacy. The entire premise of the festival was impossible. Physically, financially, and time-wise, no matter what layer you looked at. McFarland and Ja’s wishlist was impossible to fulfill, but the false promises kept being made.
Ultimately, the three-day festival that was supposed to be of legend was more of a fable. A far-fetched dream so desperately removed from reality that it could have only existed in someone’s mind. Hundreds of ticket holders showed up at a “private island” initially claimed to be owned by Pablo Escobar. They found out that they were being housed in a veritable parking lot of the Sandal’s resort in the area. Purchasers who had rented luxury villas or mansions instead fought for air mattresses and geo-tents left over from FEMA disaster relief. The gourmet food promised to all festival-goers was presented with styrofoam containers filled with cheese sandwiches and wilted salad greens. No artists that were initially scheduled to perform showed up. Many said they had never been paid or weren’t booked in the first place.
There were no lights on the island, and as the sun began to set on the festival’s first day, the atmosphere descended into Lord of the Flies. The survival of the fittest warzone where people were fighting for spaces, blankets, and mattresses. They were burning tents around them to keep other people from being able to camp close to them. With a surplus of alcohol and a lack of food, the chaos that continued through the night caused many to fear for their safety. It was a complete and utter failure, an ad-hoc fraud that never had a chance.
Where Are Billy & Ja Now?
McFarland served four years of a six-year sentence and was released in late March 2022. Since that time, McFarland has launched (and recently was hiring for) his new tech start-up company called PYRT. He called it a virtual immersive decentralized reality. He also shared the news that Fyre Festival II was coming, which was met with shock.
Ja Rule is still Ja Rule. While he became the butt of many jokes, Fyre Failure hasn’t had much of an impact. He was legally released of all wrong-doing in regards to Fyre Festival and wants to put it all behind him. However, we don’t believe he’ll be involved in the second go ’round.
