When it comes to the fusion of R&B and hip-hop, Ja Rule is certainly an important part of that lineage. However, there is some debate as to the extent of his influence, and The Shade Room asked him whether he thinks he paved the way for Drake. Moreover, they discussed many aspects of his career and life, including his beef with 50 Cent and his views as a family man. At one point, the host said that "Ja Rule walked so Drake could run," and asked the New York MC if he agreed.
Of course, he stood by the worth of his work and its impact, but he also said that musicians "borrow from each other" all the time. In addition, he noted prior ballads in hip-hop like "I Need Love" by LL Cool J, plus Method Man and Mary J. Blige's "All I Need." Still, Ja said he fused the genres more consistently and brought artists together more cohesively. "You didn’t really know who’s record it was [on a hip-hop duet],” he remarked of the duet format when he dabbled in it. “Like when you listen to 'I’m Real,' is that Ja Rule’s record or is it Jennifer’s record?"
Ja Rule TSR Interview: Drake, 50 Cent Beef, And Much More
Elsewhere in the interview, Ja Rule also discussed his long-standing feud with 50 Cent, who recently praised Drake, as well. However, Rule believes that the beef is much less serious these days and more about just posturing and social media trolling. The most recent example of this is their spat over Ja's "Timberwolves Curse" that Fif vowed to lift. Also, there's been a lot of trolling involving Rule's participation in the failed Fyre Festival, although he won't be around for its second iteration.
Also, he spoke on Nicki Minaj's own influence and impact in the game, who shares a lot of that success with Drake. "I think Nicki gets proper praise,” Ja Rule expressed. “Her place in the game is solidified. It’s solid. There were no female MCs out and about until Nicki came back out. Before her, the last one was like Lauryn Hill. And before her was like Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte and before her it’s even further back. The female MC — they’re having a run like they’ve never had before. To me, in my opinion, Nicki reopened that door." Regardless of your take on these topics, log back into HNHH for the latest on Ja Rule and Drake.