ja rule
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Julia Beverly / Getty
Ja Rule recently chopped it up on HipHopWired’s ‘I Got Questions’ with Juvenile, and he gave a real shoutout to DMX’s crazy stage presence. The NYC rapper said, “The Dog had a different emotional connection to his audience,” and it’s clear DMX wasn’t just performing — he was living every moment with his fans.
His energy was unmatched. When X hit the stage, it wasn’t just about rapping; it was about making you feel every word, every verse, every bar. DMX had the power to make you connect with him on a whole different level. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was an experience. DMX’s impact on hip-hop is legendary. From the rough and rugged sound of tracks like *“Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”* to the club banger ‘Party Up (Up In Here),’ X changed the game with his gritty delivery, raw emotion, and realness. He wasn’t just another rapper — he was a voice for the underdog, speaking to the struggle, the pain, and the triumphs.
DMX’s music was more than just fire bars; it was a reflection of the real-life many were living. Ja Rule’s tribute shows that DMX wasn’t just a rapper; he was a force in the culture. His connection to the people, his authenticity, and his ability to move crowds set him apart as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. Even after his passing, his legacy still reigns, and his impact continues to inspire the game.
Check out HipHopWired’s latest episode of ‘I Got Questions’ featuring Juvenile & Ja Rule:
Source: HipHopWired.com / iOne Digital
Hip-Hop icons Ja Rule and Juvenile catch up and trade stories on the latest episode of HipHopWired’s popular digital series, I Got Questions.
In the latest episode of the I Got Questions digital series from HipHopWired, two MCs who ruled rap music in the late 1990s and early 2000s in Juvenile and Ja Rule sit down to discuss their careers and perspectives in shaping the culture. After indulging in a sip of the Murder Inc. veteran’s new honey botanical whiskey Amber and Opal, Ja Rule shares the story of how Juvenile and Cash Money Records’ rise coincided with the appearance of his first group, Cash Money Click.
The “Holla Holla” rapper also shared how while on tour with Jay-Z and listening to Juvenile’s hit “Ha” from his 400 Degreez album, he witnessed Jay-Z come up with the verse for the eventual remix in his head. “Oh I got a verse for this, I’m gonna have to reach out to them,” Ja Rule said. Juvenile confirmed how he and Jay-Z connected to do the remix, and revealed that some down in his hometown weren’t too pleased. “Boy, a lot of people in New Orleans, the Hip-Hop heads were going crazy,” he began laughing as he reminisced, “but the hood, they were like “Man, why you did that? You sellin’ out!!” Juvenile also spoke about the Hot Boys reunion with Lil Wayne, B.G., and Turk, expressing how emotional it was for him. “If people watch it, they see me turn around a lot and I was turning around a lot because I was wiping my face,” he said. “I wondered if people realized what I went through to get my brothers on this stage together.”
Both rappers spoke about how hard it was to get the love from fans in New York, which led to Juvenile reminiscing about his legendary night at the Tunnel nightclub. Ja Rule then spoke about witnessing Ice Cube’s iconic performance at The Apollo Theatre in Harlem after his break with N.W.A. “When he took the hat off, and we saw he cut the Jheri-Curl off, we were throwing knots of money at the stage!!! Like, “Yeah, we got him! He’s with us!!”, he said.
They also shared stories about working with two historic producers like the late Irv Gotti and Mannie Fresh, and welcoming newer artists who sample his hits. “Don’t take the record and redo what I did. Take it in another direction, and reinvent it,” Juvenile stated.
Check out the entire interview above.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty
On February 5th, 2025, Hip-Hop lost a legend. Irv Gotti, the co-founder of Murder Inc., passed away at 54, and the news hit the culture hard. Gotti wasn’t just a mogul; he was the mastermind behind some of the biggest hits of the early 2000s. He helped launch the careers of Ashanti, Ja Rule, and more, with bangers like “Always On Time,” “Mesmerize,” and “Livin’ It Up” still playing heavy on playlists today. His sound, his vision, and his influence were unmatched.
When the news broke, the Hip-Hop world froze. Artists, producers, and fans were left in shock, as Irv wasn’t just a producer – he was the heartbeat of an era. Ye (Kanye West) posted a dove with a photo of Irv to pay tribute. While Ja Rule, who’d worked closely with him for years, kept it short and sweet with a broken heart emoji.
Russell Simmons, also expressed his sorrow, highlighting Irv’s unfiltered authenticity and the realness he brought to the culture. The streets are heavy right now, and our thoughts go out to Irv’s family, his friends, and the millions of fans who felt his impact. He left too soon, but his legacy is solid and will live on forever. Irv Gotti will always be a part of Hip-Hop’s foundation, and his music will live forever. Rest in peace, legend.
Take a moment to read some of the heartfelt reactions to Irv Gotti’s sudden passing below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz
One of Hip-Hop’s longest running fueds continues. Ja Rule found it hilarious that 50 Cent’s Las Vegas residency was panned by a critic.
As spotted on HipHopDX, the G-Unit Records recently kicked off his residency at PH Live in Planet Hollywood. As expected, 50 Cent performed his medley of hits, b-sides and guest appearances to a crowd of his fans. In attendance at one of the dates was blogger Jennifer Gay, who goes by the name Vegas Starfish on social media. She recapped her evening in a video that made it clear that she was unimpressed by the set up and even 50’s performance. “The sound was balanced poorly making it impossible to hear the performance. His hypemen were unrelenting and overbearing making it difficult to hear anything but their echos,” she wrote. “The only surprise was the lack of energy. This was the worst live performance, for any artist, I’ve ever attended,” she added.
Her review soon went viral on social media and eventually landed on Ja Rule’s radar. The “Always On Time” rapper reposted the clip and added, “Not the worst… #ICONN,” with several laughing emojis. Jeffrey wasn’t the only one who took shots at 50 Cent over the footage, as many people online noticed that Fif only waves his right arm up and down while he raps throughout his entire set.
http://www.twitter.com/jarule/status/1874459263583560082
As expected, 50 Cent has responded to the criticism and paused for a brief moment at a subsequent show to address the poor review. “What, you thought I was going to be out here rollerblading like Usher and sh*t? I seen some sh*t, Chris Brown was flying in Africa. I don’t have records that require me to fly in Africa,” he told the crowd. The blogger Vegas Starfish continues to stand by her original review.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty
The founder of the ill-fated Fyre Fest is out of jail and ready to throw a new version of the event with an expected launch date.
For those who remember the disaster that was Fyre Fest, be prepared —a new version is on the way. According to reports, Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland is gearing up for Fyre Festival II with the announcement that it will take place on April 25-28, 2025. “We have the chance to embrace this storm and really steer our ship into all the chaos that has happened, and if it’s done well, I think Fyre has a chance to be this annual festival that really takes over the festival industry,” he said in an interview about the proposed event.
For the curious, tickets to Fyre Fest II would cost $1,400 to start for a pass to the three-day event. Ticket prices range up to $1.1 million for VIP packages which include a chance to hang out with McFarland exclusively in addition to indulging in other activities such as spending time on luxury yachts, scuba diving, and island hopping. The fest would take place on a privately owned island off of the coast of Mexico. McFarland didn’t disclose the name of the island or the production company that would be involved with planning, adding that more information would be released in the next few months.
The first Fyre Fest took place in 2017 and was advertised as a luxury music festival taking place in the Bahamas. Veteran rapper Ja Rule was involved in the organization of the event, but it quickly turned into one of the most disastrous concert failures ever with people being stranded without much shelter or food. McFarland was sentenced to six years in prison for fraud related to the event, and he was released from prison in 2022. He still owes $26 million in restitution to concertgoers.
McFarland has also been busy consulting the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, steering rap celebs such as Waka Flocka Flame to endorse his run for office. He does feel there will be a turnout for Fyre Fest II. “I think there’s a large number of people who want to go to Fyre II because they’re unsure of the outcome, and they would like to have a front-row seat no matter what happens,” he said. “Thankfully, we have good partners who will make sure they’re safe and obviously make sure things work out.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: YouTube / Club Shay Shay
The origin of the long-running feud between 50 Cent and Ja Rule was revealed by Steve Stoute in a recent chat with Shannon Sharpe.
The bad blood between 50 Cent and Ja Rule has been a constant source of news over the years, with no one truly understanding the reasons why. But industry music veteran and UnitedMasters CEO Steve Stoute shone a light on the roots of it during his appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast this past Wednesday (March 6) when the host asked. “That’s a good question,” Stoute said. “I think 50 knew that Ja was not who he was portraying as an image. Ja [was a] Jehovah’s Witness… I’m not saying they not supposed to rap, but Ja was coming up with this gangster image. It was like, ‘That’s a stretch for you…’ They had some very neighborhood beef.”
[embedded content]
Stoute continued as the two rode through the borough of Queens that both MCs hail from: “I remember when we signed 50 there was something going on. I think he snatched Ja’s chain, or somebody snatched somebody’s…And then they had a fight in Atlanta…and it was just like, I never understood it. I was like, ‘Why do you keep having problems with this guy?’ It was like he was always looking for problems…I think it was driven by this idea that this image he was portraying he didn’t think was authentic…It led to big issues. Ja and his guys ran up on 50 in the studio one day. They touched him up.”
Shannon then said, “Oh, so they’re never gonna be cool,” to which Stoute replied, “They’re never gonna be cool, and now, I’m happy that it’s all kind of over with,” he said. “What I don’t like at this point as older statesmen is…it makes the art form look bad. These guys are made men now…The leaders of the art form doin well, being positive, representing…the movement and the culture of Hip Hop well. For guys still to be beefing and still…dragging that back in…you in your 40s, bro. What are you talking about? You got kids at home.” Stoute also made headlines with his take on Dame Dash, which led to Dash replying via Instagram: “This is the reason I had to smack the shit out of @stevestoute a couple years ago…because he’s always speaking on other men’s business. good thing I’ve evolved.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz
If we’ve learned anything from 50 Cent over the past two decades and change that he’s been in the rap game it’s that he’ll never pass up an opportunity to clown Ja Rule. On Wednesday (Sept. 6), the G-Unit general once again let Jeffery Atkins know that he’s still on 50 Cent’s sh*t list.
Taking to Instagram to post a video of a recent Ja Rule performance from the 2023 BMI R&B/Hip Hop Awards in Miami this past Wednesday night (Sept. 6) at Miami’s LIV nightclub in which the “Holla Holla” rapper took to the stage tied to a wooden column (why, Ja?), 50 saw the opportunity to once again needle his Queens rival. Clowning Ja Rule for his onstage antics, 50 posted the video with a caption that read “look at this shit head, is he supposed to be Jesus. 😆 WTF you can’t make this shit up. LOL so stupid !”
Ja Rule making it too easy for 50, b.
The latest drive-by clowning comes months after 50 mocked Ja Rule for another over the top performance when Ja showed up to perform at Nelly’s Hot in Herre Festival in Toronto on a stretcher to bring some theatrics to his performance. Of course, the stunt had social media cutting a** on Ja and his career and naturally 50 piled on with his social media account saying “Lol WTF I ain’t gotta say sh*t stupid ’s SMH.”
We understand that Ja is trying to secure the bag and make some noise to get attention by any means necessary, but again, he’s just making it too easy for 50, b.
That being said, we would really love to see a Verzuz battle featuring 50 Cent and Ja Rule as that would have the Hip-Hop world on edge and quickly sellout whatever venue it would be held at. Unfortunately, 50 Cent has no interest in helping Ja gain any attention outside of jokes here and there.
What do y’all think of Ja’s “crucifixion”? Sound off in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: MICHAEL TRAN / Getty
Busta Rhymes has been an electrifying force in Hip-Hop since before many of today’s rappers were born. Last month, the Brooklyn bred emcee took home the 2023 BET Awards biggest honor as this year’s Lifetime Achievement recipient.
Some of music’s greatest talents, including Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Diddy paid homage to the 12-time Grammy Award nominated rapper in a heartwarming video. Fans took to Twitter to share their favorite Busta Rhymes moments while reiterating that a Lifetime Achievement Award was overdue for the “mayor of Hip Hop.”
Busta’s award sparked an even bigger conversation about other icons whose contributions in Hip-Hop have seemingly gone unnoticed. Check out our list of Hip-Hop legends who deserve their flowers while they can smell them.
Ludacris
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
Before rappers like Big Sean and DaBaby captivated fans with their animated delivery, wild punchlines and humorous videos, Ludacris had the game on lock. His major label debut album Back for the First Time, spawned several hit records that many fans deem to be instant classics — including the Neptunes- produced track “What’s Your Fantasy.”
While Atlanta was still finding their identity in Hip-Hop, Luda continued cranking out chart topping records and big budget music videos throughout the 2000s. But after years of hard work and a Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2007 for Release Therapy, he started to feel that his contributions to Hip-Hop weren’t being acknowledged. In May 2023, Luda appeared on the All The Smoke podcast and revealed that Jay-Z credited his outlandish videos as the reason why Luda doesn’t receive the lyrical credit he deserves. “People ask me, ‘Why don’t you think [you] get the credit?’ Because I played too goddamn much…And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Luda said.
1 2 3 4 5Next page »
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: MICHAEL TRAN / Getty
Ja Rule has gone viral yet again. He attempted to bring some drama to a live performance and as expected 50 Cent had jokes.
As spotted on HipHopDX the Murder Inc. talent recently performed Nelly’s Hot in Herre Festival in Toronto and his entrance was not your standard rapper entrance. Ja was wheeled in on a stretcher by two men dressed up as a paramedics. Soon after his grand entrance sounds of a heart beating could be heard throughout the speaker system. Ja rule proceeded to yell “Ayo, let these n***as know who I am. I’m one of the three, n****!”. He then jumped up and started performing “Livin’ It Up.”
According to XXL Magazine fans in attendance were not impressed. “Because his career’s on life support?? is that it?” one user commented. “It’s the paramedics leaning over him like they picking out toppings for a subway sandwich and got 5min to get back from break.” another account wrote. Naturally the stunt quickly landed on 50 Cent’s radar and he took to social media to poke fun at his rival for life. “Lol 😆😆😆WTF 😂I ain’t gotta say sh*t stupid 🥷🏾’s SMH” he wrote on Instagram.
You can see Ja Rule’s stretcher entrance below.
Photo:
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty
Ja Rule continues to boss up right before our very eyes. He has announced he is entering the wine industry.
As spotted on Blavity the Queens, New York native is launching his own wine brand. Called Rose Vine Cellars, the MC has partnered with vintner Ross Reedy and the Wines That Rock company. On Tuesday, June 13 the Murder Inc. talent expressed his enthusiasm in a formal statement. “This launch is near and dear to my heart; one of my favorite things to do after a long day is pour myself a nice glass of wine,” he said. “This collab with wine master Ross Reedy and Wines That Rock is something we’ve spent a lot of time on because we wanted it to be perfect. Our goal was to create something unique, sophisticated and luxurious, and this collection is exactly that! I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished!”
The Rose Vine Cellars website provides more detail about this red wine. “This premium bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon was inspired by the act of giving roses to a friend. May this be the first of many roses we share together” the product description reads. “The grapes rest on their skins for a month during the harvest, a technique that fosters the development of intricate flavors. These are complemented by a natural fermentation process – free from added yeast. The result is a wine with an invitingly soft texture, thanks to a 24-month aging period in French oak barrels. Each bottle is individually hand wax-dipped for an elegant finish.”
The Red Rose Autographed Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon is priced at $150.00 and the Red Rose
Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wax Dipped is priced at $100.00. You can shop the Ja Rule’s wines here.
Photo:
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…