Ja Rule

Ja Rule, born Jeffrey Bruce Atkins on February 29, 1976, in Queens, New York, is an American rapper, singer, and actor. Emerging in the late 1990s, Ja Rule became a prominent figure in the hip hop and R&B scenes, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and his ability to blend rap with melodic hooks.

Ja Rule's breakthrough came with his debut album, "Venni Vetti Vecci," released in 1999. The album featured gritty street anthems and collaborations with fellow artists like Jay-Z and DMX. However, it was his subsequent releases, "Rule 3:36" (2000) and "Pain Is Love" (2001), that catapulted him to mainstream success. Hits like "Livin' It Up," "Always On Time" featuring Ashanti, and "I'm Real" with Jennifer Lopez dominated the charts.

Apart from his solo career, Ja Rule was a prominent figure in the early 2000s hip hop and R&B collaborations, working with artists like Ashanti and Fat Joe. He also co-founded the record label Murder Inc. Records with Irv Gotti.