The Last Temptation (Ja Rule album)

Last updated
The Last Temptation
Ja Rule - The Last Temptation.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 19, 2002 (2002-11-19)
Recorded2002
Genre Hardcore hip hop [1]
Length54:46
Label
Producer
Ja Rule chronology
Pain Is Love
(2001)
The Last Temptation
(2002)
Blood in My Eye
(2003)
Singles from The Last Temptation
  1. "Thug Lovin'"
    Released: November 4, 2002 [2]
  2. "Mesmerize"
    Released: December 16, 2002 [3]
  3. "Reign"
    Released: June 30, 2003 [4]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 57/100
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
RapReviews6/10 [6]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
MVRemix Urban3.5/10 [8]

The Last Temptation is the fourth studio album by American rapper Ja Rule. [9] It was released by Murder Inc. and Def Jam. Originally scheduled for a Fall 2002 release, the album was delayed to 2003, but was ultimately released on November 19, 2002.

Contents

This album contained singles such as "Thug Lovin'" (featuring Bobby Brown), "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti) and "The Pledge (Remix)" (by Ashanti featuring Nas, Ja Rule and 2Pac). "Murder Reigns" was also released as a single titled "Reign" in select territories outside of North America, such as Europe and Australasia. The song "Pop Niggas" gained some attention after it was reported to be talking in part about 50 Cent. Pharrell was featured in the song, but not credited. Other guests featured on the album include: Bobby Brown, Ashanti, Nas, Alexi, Charli Baltimore, 2Pac, Caddillac Tah, Celeste, Eastwood, Crooked I, Young Life & Chink Santana.

The album was successful, moving 237,000 units in its first week, [10] but less than his previous Pain Is Love . On December 13, 2002 the album was certified Platinum. "Mesmerize" is ranked at #45 on Blender's list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever", [11] but was the most successful single from the album, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. The album also received criticism from fans, saying that the album sounded too commercial, and that Ja Rule was selling out: in addition, many artists that Ja Rule was feuding with, such as Daz Dillinger, Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, G-Unit, Obie Trice, D12, Busta Rhymes, and DMX said that Ja Rule was trying to be just like Tupac Shakur, which fueled the rivalries even more.[ citation needed ] Though neither its debut nor lifetime sales ever matched those of Pain Is Love, The Last Temptation is Ja Rule's third highest-selling album to date.

Track listing

The Last Temptation track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"  0:20
2."Thug Lovin'" (featuring Bobby Brown)4:50
3."Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti)
  • Chink Santana
  • Irv Gotti
4:38
4."Pop Niggas" The Neptunes 4:29
5."The Pledge (Remix)" (featuring Ashanti, Nas & 2Pac)
3:54
6."Murder Reigns" (featuring Celeste)
  • 7 Aurelius
  • Irv Gotti
4:03
7."Last Temptation" (featuring Charli Baltimore)
  • Chink Santana
  • Irv Gotti
4:58
8."Murder Me" (featuring Caddillac Tah & Alexi)
  • Chink Santana
  • Irv Gotti
5:15
9."The Warning"
  • Atkins
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
  • Chink Santana
  • Irv Gotti
5:05
10."Connected" (featuring Eastwood & Crooked I)
  • Chink Santana
  • Irv Gotti
4:54
11."Emerica" (featuring Young Life & Chink Santana)
  • Atkins
  • Parker
  • Rahmane Donovan
  • Lorenzo
  • Chink Santana
  • Irv Gotti
5:16
12."Rock Star"
  • Chink Santana
  • Irv Gotti
4:58
13."Destiny (Outro)"
Cool & Dre 2:05

Sample credits [12]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for The Last Temptation
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [36] Gold35,000^
Canada (Music Canada) [37] Platinum100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [38] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [39] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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