Ja Rule

Ja Rule Discusses Ja Morant, Says Hip-Hop Negatively Influenced His Actions

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Ja’s looking out for Ja this week, even though he did so by piggybacking off of a controversial take concerning the basketball player. Moreover, Ja Rule recently agreed with Patrick Beverly that hip-hop and rap culture negatively influenced Ja Morant’s actions. For those not yet caught up, the Grizzlies star faced police investigation and an NBA suspension after a video surfaced of him flashing a gun while going out. After Beverly said that music was partly to blame, many pushed back against conflating art for a co-sign of wrongful behavior. Regardless, Rule is a rapper himself, and a big one at that, so his take was interesting.

When asked by TMZ about the situation, the Queens rapper said that rap music influenced him to go down incorrect paths. For example, he said he started smoking weed because of Redman’s “How To Roll A Blunt.” Also, he pointed to Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” as the song that drove him to drink alcohol. As such, he believed Morant took note in similar ways, and the 47-year-old said “that ain’t the way.”

Ja Rule Speaks On Ja Morant

“Go play ball, man,” he told the publication when they found him at LAX this week. “The streets ain’t about nothing, man. Go grind on ’em. Keep balling. That’s it, man.” Unfortunately, this is far from the first time that the basketball star in question faced police investigation and brushes with controversy. While he dodged charges on both occasions he faced such in the past calendar year, this instance really blew the lid on his image. However, the 23-year-old recently spoke to Jalen Rose about moving past his missteps.

“I used that as an escape, which I shouldn’t have,” the Grizzlies guard remarked. “I feel like that’s the reason I made many bad decisions in my past, which doesn’t pretty much describe me. [It] doesn’t describe Ja as a person. I’m a totally different person than what’s been shown in the media. That’s my job now. That’s why I took that time away, to become a better Ja. So everybody really can see who Ja really is and you know what he’s about.” Regardless of your take on that, stay logged into HNHH for the latest on Ja Rule and Ja Morant.

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Ja Rule Says Melle Mel Got It All Wrong: “50 Cent Copied Me”

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As hip-hop turns 50, it’s nice to see people like Melle Mel continue to have a say in the culture, even if his takes are polarizing. Most recently, Melle Mel chimed in on the official anthem of New York. Melle Mel reflected on the impact of Ja Rule’s “New York” and Jay-Z’s “Empire State Of Mind.” The latter undoubtedly became synonymous with the Big Apple, and Ja’s anthem is undeniable. However, Melle Mel said the only reason it can’t compete with Jay’s record is that he was “trying to sound hard” like 50 Cent.

“If he woulda just made that record a pure New York record, it would have been a way bigger record,” Melle Mel said on The Art Of Dialogue. “But he went the route of trying to sound hard because 50 Cent sound hard. And it was still a good record, but I’m just saying. If he woulda just made it a pure New York record like how Jay-Z did with his New York record. See what I’m saying? If he woulda went along the same lines as that.”

Ja Rule Reacts To Melle Mel’s Comments

During a recent interview with TMZ, Ja Rule shared a laugh at Melle Mel’s comments. Though he respects Mel’s take, he said that he got it all twisted. “Mel’s earned the right to say whatever he wants but me copying 50 is like the funniest shit ever,” he said. It might seem cocky but there’s no doubt that Ja was on the rap-sing tip before Fif adopted that style on songs like “21 Questions.” With that in mind, Ja Rule thinks that 50 Cent owes him more credit for his success. “50 copied me. I was his blueprint,” he said. 

Regardless of how Mel views Jay-Z’s record vs. Ja Rue’s, the Murder Inc star explained that both records catered to different audiences. “‘Empire State Of Mind’ is a huge record, as well, but their different. Mine is a street anthem and ‘Empire State Of Mind’ is a big, like, commercial kind of record,” he explained. “Mines is me, Fat Joe, Jadakiss. It’s gutter… big shout to KRS-One,” he added, citing the “Hundred guns, hundred clips” bar. 

Melle Mel Believes Ja Rule Tried To “Sound Hard” Like 50 Cent

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His sit down with The Art of Dialogue has stirred many Hip Hop pots, and another clip has Melle Mel back in the center of controversy. For decades, there has been a Hip Hop beef that just doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. 50 Cent and Ja Rule have co-existed within the culture without too many dust-ups, but when they arrive, the spats command attention. Whether they’re trading verbal shots or issuing disses in interviews, Fif and Ja remain foes.

Music legend Melle Mel has seen the ebbs and flows of Rap since its inception. The Hip Hop pioneer is quite opinionated about the genre, considering he watched it take shape in real-time, and in his latest interview, he offered a few thoughts about 50 Cent and Ja Rule. He noted that many rappers could be better if they didn’t attempt to emulate their peers. “What is it that you need to say? You could be the n*gga that made a song about a pool party, but you f*cked around and listened to Meek Mill. And you f*cked around and did some dumb sh*t.”

Melle Mel Uses Ja & 50 As An Example

To emphasize his point, Mel mentioned the two warring rappers. “It’s just like when 50 Cent was doing this sh*t. And then when Ja Rule…and that was probably one of his last big records.” He was referencing Ja’s hit classic, “New York.” Melle continued, “If he woulda just made that record a pure New York record, it would have been a way bigger record. But he went the route of trying to sound hard because 50 Cent sound hard. And it was still a good record, but I’m just saying. If he woulda just made it a pure New York record like how Jay-Z did with his New York record. See what I’m saying? If he woulda went along the same lines as that.”

Elsewhere in the clip, Melle Mel discussed how the street life is a detriment to Hip Hop. He argued that “consciousness does have its place in Hip Hop, but everybody is too scared about not being hard. And that’s the destruction of the whole game.” Watch the video of Melle Mel on The Art of Dialogue discussing Hip Hop, 50 Cent, and Ja Rule above.

Melle Mel Says Ja Rule Tried Too Hard To Copy 50 Cent: ‘That’s The Destruction Of The Whole Game’

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Melle Mel Calls Nicki Minaj Being Ranked Ahead of Rakim 'Blaspehmy' and 'BS'

Clips from Melle Mel’s recent interview on the Art Of Dialogue podcast have been released and have brought a lot of attention to the legendary rapper. First for saying that Eminem wouldn’t be a top-five rapper if he wasn’t white, and now, for saying that Ja Rule was trying too hard to be 50 Cent.

Melle Mel first talked about how rappers today are trying too hard to sound like other rappers, thus ruining their sound in the process.

“A lot of rappers could be better rappers if they stopped rapping like everybody else,” Mel said. “What is it that you need to say? You could be the n-gga that made a song about a pool party, but you fucked around and listened to Meek Mill and went and you fucked around and did some dumb shit.”

He then compared it to 50 Cent and Ja Rule’s legendary beef, saying that Ja Rule tried to copy 50 Cent’s gangsta sound when he made his record “New York.” “It’s just like when 50 Cent was doing this shit and then when Ja Rule and that was probably one of his last big records.”

Mel continued: “If he woulda just made that record a pure New York record, it would have been a way bigger record. But he went the route of trying to sound hard because 50 Cent sound hard. And it was still a good record but I’m just saying, if he woulda just made it a pure New York record like how Jay-Z did with his New York record. See what I’m saying? If he woulda went along the same lines as that.”

“So the point [I’m] saying is that consciousness does have its place in Hip Hop, but everybody is too scared about not being hard. And that’s the destruction of the whole game.”

You can watch the clip below.

The post Melle Mel Says Ja Rule Tried Too Hard To Copy 50 Cent: ‘That’s The Destruction Of The Whole Game’ appeared first on The Source.

Nelly Is Starting His Own Music Festival And Of Course It’s Named After One Of His Biggest Hits

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nelly festival
Getty Image

It seems like every star in music has their own music festival these days. J. Cole’s got Dreamville, Tyler The Creator’s got Flog Gnaw, and Usher has taken over the Lovers And Friends Fest. Well, another contender has thrown their name in the ring, and like Usher, he’s a millennial favorite who’s named his event after one of his biggest hits and stocked its lineup with a bunch of his contemporaries.

Nelly‘s Hot In Herre festival is aimed for June 24 at Toronto’s Downsview Park with a lineup consisting of millennial favorites like Akon, Chingy, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, and T.I. Not bad for a one-day festival that isn’t in any of the booked artists’ usual stomping grounds. You’d think it’d be in St. Louis, right?

In the press release, Nelly sort of explains the location. “Toronto is one of my favorite cities to perform in, and the fact that I get to come back and bring all the people that came up with me in the industry means everything,” he says. “We have a lot of surprises in store for you, Toronto, and the Hot in Herre team can’t wait for this summer.”

General admission tickets are already online starting at $170. You can find more information on the official website.

Ashanti Shows Love To Ja Rule On His 47th Birthday

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Longtime friends Ashanti and Ja Rule have been in the game with one another ever since she signed to Murder Inc. more than 20 years ago. The two have taken stages worldwide over the years as they perform collaborative singles like “Always On Time,” “What’s Luv?,” and “Mesmerize.” They’re even set to headline the upcoming “I Love RNB” Festival this May out in Long Beach, Ca. Their sibling-like relationship is ever-apparent in Ashanti’s latest tribute to Ja, who celebrates his 47th birthday today.

The “Falling For You” singer uploaded photos of them performing side by side in the celebratory post. Ashanti also shared a video montage of them on stage together over the years, posting it on her Instagram Story. Ja Rule, born Feb. 29, responded to his play-sister’s posts with several heart emojis. Artists Fat Joe and Ginuwine also shouted out the Queens emcee in Ashanti’s comments.

Ashanti Celebrates Her “Big Bro” In New Post

Ahead of his birthday, Chicago lyricist Lupe Fiasco showed loved to Ja Rule as well, calling him his “favorite rapper.” Upon meeting each other backstage at a recent show, Lupe tells him “This all I need right here.” “Listen, I grew up on Ja Rule, you feel me?,” he tells nearby cameras. “I don’t give a f*ck what no motherf*cka say. Ask me who’s my favorite rapper, who I was listening to when I was coming up. Even now!” Rule then went on to express his gratitude towards Lupe, who he calls a “lyricist lyricist.”

These last two occurrences have pelted Ja Rule back into the spotlight as he prepares to hit the stage again. Ashanti, on the other hand, has been a mainstay in the headlines for her music and risqué Instagram photos. Most recently, the celebrated songwriter was spotted wearing one of ex Nelly’s signature chains. The two dated for some time over ten years ago, and now fans speculate their relationship has been rekindled. Back in December, the “Bahama Mama” appeared on The New Norm with Selena Hill and admitted she’s open to collaborating with him again. “If an opportunity presents itself to make a record and get to the bag, we’re probably gonna be all in,” she relays to the host.

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Ja Rule’s 47th Birthday: Stream “Always On Time” Feat. Ashanti To Celebrate

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For the countless babies born on a leap year, February 28th marks the time to celebrate their birthdays most of the time. Among those turning up to mark another trip around the Sun today is Ja Rule, who turns 47. On his Instagram Story, the Fyre Festival co-founder has been reposting thoughtful messages from friends on his Instagram Story. Conversely, his fans have been at home, streaming some of his biggest hits to commemorate along with him.

For our part, we’re highlighting Ja’s early 2000s collaboration with Ashanti, “Always On Time.” To this day the joint is often found in the best throwback R&B playlists, and can still be heard blasting at parties and clubs on top volume as music lovers bump and grind. What more could you need to get into a celebratory mood in honour of the birthday boy?

Revisit Ja Rule and Ashanti’s “Always On Time” Visual

Listeners have always praised the effortless connection between Ja and Ashanti, but as it turns out, she almost didn’t earn the female part in the song. While speaking with the New York Post last year, the R&B starlet revealed that it was first sent to Brandy, who actually turned the opportunity down. “She ended up not doing it, and Ashanti came in and alley-ooped!” the “Foolish” singer dished.

The salacious song went on to become one of the most-streamed in each artist’s catalogue. Other major releases for Ja include “Mesmerize,” “Livin’ It Up,” “Wonderful,” and “Put It On Me.” His most recent release, “Blow, came back in 2021 featuring Somong. Now that he’s beginning a new chapter of his life, it’s entirely possible we could see the lyricist head back to the studio soon.

Stream Ja Rule and Ashanti’s “Always On Time” on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, tell us your favourite track from the man of the hour in the comments. Make sure to check back later for more release recommendations and music news updates.

Quotable Lyrics:

C’mon and get a piece of this late-night lover
You know, the one that swing d*ck like no other
I know, I got a lot of things I need to explain
But, baby, you know the name, and love is about pain

Lupe Fiasco Calls Ja Rule His Favorite Rapper: “This Is All I Need Right Here”

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It isn’t always that we get to meet artists that were the soundtracks to our youths, but Lupe Fiasco received an opportunity. The rapper has amassed a wealth of success of his own, but when he came face to face with Ja Rule, he couldn’t contain his excitement. It looks as if the two hitmakers were able to link backstage at a concert, and the encounter was shared on Instagram.

In the clip, Lupe was like a kid meeting his idol. “This all I need right here,” he told Ja. The Murder Inc rapper was all smiles. Then, Lupe addressed the camera directly. “Listen, I grew up on Ja Rule, you feel me? I don’t give a f*ck what no motherf*cka say. Ask me who’s my favorite rapper, who I was listening to when I was coming up. Even now!

Lupe Fiasco Praises Ja Rule’s Catalog
Lupe Fiasco at ONE Musicfest held at Central Park on October 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chynna Keys/VIBE via Getty Images)

“Give me Venni, Vetti, Vecci, n*gga,” Lupe continued. “Give me motherf*ckin’ Pain Is Love over anything, n*gga. I don’t give a f*ck. Give me 3:36 over anything. F*ck these n*ggas, feel me? I’m bumpin’ Ja! N*gga, f*ck you!” Lupe followed up his praise by sharing stories of his youth, listening to Ja “on repeat.” He said the New York star’s music would be “hyping me up, charging me up.”

To all of the attention, Ja Rule was in disbelief. “You know what? It’s so ill to hear…that,” he said, seemingly at a loss for words. “From a lyricist lyricist.” The mutual respect was applauded by fans who were happy to see two rappers come together with compliments and not criticism. Hip Hop has made sure that artists are receiving their flowers these days, from Verzuz appearances to Drink Champs praise.

Ja Rule Made His Mark on the Industry

Meanwhile, Ja Rule has been a busy man. He has multiple businesses that he attends to while also hitting the road. The rapper has continued to tour since his inception into the mainstream, and he doesn’t have plans to slow down anytime soon. Although he often makes headlines due to his long-standing beef with 50 Cent, Ja’s career is much more than Rap beef. His time with Murder Inc helped define an era, so fans understand why Lupe Fiasco was excited to meet him. Check out the interaction above.