Jeffrey Bruce Atkins, better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper and actor. Born and raised in New York City, he debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its lead single "Holla Holla". During the 2000s, Ja Rule was signed to Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records, formerly known as The Inc. From 1999 to 2005, Ja Rule had multiple hits that made the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, including "Between Me and You", "I'm Real " and "Ain't It Funny" —which both topped the Hot 100—the number 1 hit "Always on Time", "Mesmerize", and "Wonderful".
Tiffany Lane, better known as Charli Baltimore, is an American rapper, reality television personality, and occasional actress. Her stage name is taken from Geena Davis's character in the film The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Christina Milian is the self-titled debut studio album by American singer Christina Milian released internationally on October 9, 2001 by Murder Inc. Records and Def Soul, both divisions of Def Jam Recordings. Its American release was postponed due to the September 11 attacks, which occurred just weeks before its intended release date of September 25. Her label still opted to release it in Europe and later in Japan by early 2002, but the album was never officially released in North America. However, as of October 2020, the album has been made available on streaming services in the United States by Def Jam's sister label, Island Records. A deluxe edition of the album was also made available.
"Mesmerize" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on December 16, 2002, as the second single from his fourth studio, album The Last Temptation (2002). Contains a sample from the 1974 song "Stop, Look, Listen " by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, the song was produced by Irv Gotti and features R&B artist Ashanti. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2003, behind Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J's "All I Have", making it Ashanti's and Ja Rule's fourth top-10 hit as a duet.
"Foolish" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ashanti. It served as her debut single, the first from her self-titled debut album (2002) and was released by Def Jam Recordings, AJM, and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. It was written by Ashanti, 7 Aurelius, Etterlene Jordan, Mark DeBarge and Irv Gotti, while production was overseen by Gotti. The song uses a sample of DeBarge's "Stay with Me". Due to the inclusion of the sample, Mark DeBarge and Etterlene Jordan are also credited as songwriters. A promotional version of the single called "Unfoolish" features a verse from Notorious B.I.G. from his song "F--king You Tonight".
"Always on Time" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule from his third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). Produced by Irv Gotti, it was written by Rule, 7 Aurelius, and Irv Gotti and features guest vocals from Ashanti. Originally set to feature Brandy, the song was released as the album's second single on November 27, 2001, through Def Jam Recordings and Gotti's Murder Inc. Records.
"I'm Real" is the name of two songs recorded by American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, both primarily for her second studio album J.Lo (2001). The original version was released as the album's fourth single; Ja Rule of Murder Inc. Records wrote and was featured on a newly-written version of the song titled "I'm Real ", which was featured on a re-issue of J.Lo in July 2001, on Lopez's remix album J to tha L–O! The Remixes (2002), and on Ja Rule's third studio album Pain Is Love (2001).
"Ain't It Funny " is a song by American singer Jennifer Lopez for her remix album J to tha L–O! The Remixes (2002). The song was marketed as a remix of "Ain't It Funny", but is actually an entirely different song with the same title. It features guest vocals from Ja Rule and Caddillac Tah. It was written by Lopez, Atkins, Tah, Cory Rooney, Irving Lorenzo, and Ashanti. Over a reworking of the beat to Craig Mack's "Flava in Ya Ear", Lopez sings about "dropping a boyfriend who keeps messing up".
Rule 3:36 is the second studio album by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on October 10, 2000, by Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. The album features guest appearances from Christina Milian, Lil' Mo, Shade Sheist and Jayo Felony, with producers Irv Gotti, Ty Fyffe, Tru Stylez, Lil Rob and Damizza contributing to the album. The album marked a significant change in Ja Rule's musical style, shifting from the hardcore hip hop, which made him known for with his first album, to a more radio-friendly pop rap oriented sound to greater success.
"Dip It Low" is a song by American singer Christina Milian from her second studio album, It's About Time (2004). Written by Poli Paul and Teedra Moses and produced by Paul, the track was released as the album's lead single. Matt Ward and Dean Gallard provided additional production for the song with Ne-Yo working on vocal arrangements. While the original version of the song, featuring American rapper Fabolous, was only given a release in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, the remix featuring German rapper Samy Deluxe was released in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. A solo version was released in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Norway.
"Say I" is a song by American singer Christina Milian. It was written by Jazmine Sullivan, Jay Jenkins, Andre Lyon, and Marcello Valenzano and produced by Lyon and Valenzano under their production moniker Cool & Dre for her third studio album So Amazin' (2006). The song features additional vocals by Jeezy and is built around a sample of "Clean Up Your Own Yard" (1973) by American soul singer Jackie Moore. Due to the inclusion of the sample, its writers Bunny Sigler and Phil Hurtt are also credited as songwriters.
"New York" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Ja Rule, released October 27, 2004 as the second single from his sixth studio album R.U.L.E. (2004). The track, produced by Cool & Dre, features fellow New York rappers Fat Joe and Jadakiss. The song's chorus is based on Boogie Down Productions' 1990 song, "100 Guns".
"Wonderful" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on September 27, 2004, as the lead single from his sixth studio album, R.U.L.E. (2004), through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's The Inc. Records. The song features American pop-R&B singers R. Kelly and Ashanti. "Wonderful" topped the UK Singles Chart, reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaked at number six in both Australia and New Zealand, and became a top-20 hit in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
"What's Luv?" is a song by American rapper Fat Joe, released through Atlantic Records and Fat Joe's Terror Squad Productions as the second single from his fourth studio album, Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) (2001). The song features additional vocals from singer Ashanti and from rapper Ja Rule on the remix and album version on the song. "What's Luv" was produced by Irv Gotti and Chink Santana. The lyrics of the song's chorus are based in part on the title refrain of the 1984 Tina Turner hit "What's Love Got to Do with It". The song additionally includes a lyric that references the 1997 song "Still Not a Player" by Big Pun. Fat Joe, Ja Rule, and the song's two producers are credited as the writers of "What's Luv", as are Big Pun and the lyricist of "What's Love Got to Do with It", Terry Britten.
"Put It on Me" is a song from Ja Rule's second album, Rule 3:36. The song also appeared on The Fast and the Furious soundtrack and also in the film Double Take. The song features female Murder Inc. rapper Vita. The song was originally made with just Ja Rule and Vita, but then a remix version was made with vocals by Lil' Mo on the chorus of the song. Ja Rule explained that the lyrics of the song were inspired by an argument he had with his wife to show how important she is to him. Vita's verse was written by Caddillac Tah. It peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the week of March 19, 2001, making it Ja Rule's first top ten hit on the chart.
"Livin' It Up" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule featuring singer Case, released in October 2001 through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records, as the lead single from Ja Rule's third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). The song, produced by Lil Rob and Irv Gotti, samples Stevie Wonder's 1982 song "Do I Do". In the United States, "Livin' It Up" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It received a re-issue in the United Kingdom in 2002 and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart. Retired NBA All-Star Baron Davis and former pornographic actress Sunny Leone make appearances in the video.
"Thug Lovin'" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule featuring singer Bobby Brown, released on November 4, 2002 as the first single from Ja Rule's fourth studio album, The Last Temptation (2002). The song was produced by Irv Gotti. Bobby Brown's sung portion is an interpolation of part of the chorus of the Stevie Wonder song "Knocks Me Off My Feet".
"Down Ass Bitch" was the third and final single by American rapper Ja Rule, from his third studio album Pain Is Love (2001). It features then-labelmate Charli Baltimore.
"Down 4 U" is the lead single from Murder Inc. Records' compilation album Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc. The song features rapped verses from Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, and Vita while Ashanti provides the chorus and sung vocals. The song is a remix as well as its music video being the sequel of Ja Rule's 2002 single, "Down Ass Bitch".
"Clap Back" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule, released as the only single from his fifth studio album, Blood in My Eye (2003). It was produced by American producer Justin Atson JustYaBoy DefJam along with Scott Storch, who helped write the song along with Ja Rule and Irv Gotti. In the United States, the song was released along with "The Crown" from Blood in My Eye, and outside the United States the song was released along with "Murder Reigns", the final single from Ja Rule's previous studio album The Last Temptation (2002).
