Ja Rule Songs: Rapper's Best Hits

Many people forgot what Ja Rule brought when 50 Cent came in. Fif seemingly ran Hip Hop for a while, but Ja Rule had a run before him. It’s funny how quickly we forget these things. Ja helped carry Murder Inc. and was instrumental in why they were a force in the 2000s. The world couldn’t get enough of Ja Rule between hits with Jennifer Lopez and Ashanti.

His unique voice caught people’s attention, and women fell in love whenever he was in a video shirtless. Since his debut album, he has starred in movies and television shows. After his sophomore album, Rule 3:36, he landed his first acting role. He starred in the film, Turn it Up, before appearing in the original The Fast and The Furious. Ja Rule is important to Hip Hop, and whether or not he is a Top 50 rapper of all time continues to be debated. Let’s take a look at some of his hit songs!

Ja Rule was able to get Bobby Brown back in the booth. The New Edition icon hadn’t appeared on a song in five years before this. ”Thug Lovin” was another Hip Hop/R&B single for Ja. It’s what he does best, after all.

Ja Rule did not back down from 50 Cent and G-Unit during their feud. Why would he? He came into the game first and solidified himself as a major artist. His hands were full dealing with 50, but he made sure to react. ”Clap Back” is a diss record to 50 Cent and Eminem. This is a response to 50’s hit record, “Wanksta”.

“Caught Up” was a good record. However, it may have been overshadowed by his highly publicized beef with 50 Cent. Also, “New York” was a big hit, so this single seemed an afterthought. Ja keeps his streak with another pleasing Hip Hop/R&B record for the ladies. ”Caught Up” is one of the last singles we get from Ja as his career starts to unwind.

“Down A** B****” is another great ballad in Ja’s catalog. He officially has a hit with all the women of Murder Inc, first with Vita, then Ashanti, and now Charli Baltimore. Ja works best with women. Any woman he does a track with becomes memorable. The video was even better as the two play a couple trying to escape the police. Ja Rule and Baltimore make the lyrics come to life in this mini-movie.

“Holla Holla” was the introduction of Ja Rule. This was his debut single off his debut album, Venni Vetti Vecchi. This record brought Ja radio success as fans enjoyed his rough voice. It was different. Just like Jadakiss’s raspy voice, Ja’s voice was considered edgy. ”Holla Holla” is a song made for a club or party. Who would’ve thought this wasn’t a lane he’d stay in?

“Wonderful” is another gem in Ja Rule’s catalog. It’s always a no-brainer when he links up with Ashanti. It was a surprise to see R. Kelly join the duo as well. This song wouldn’t be a hit without the R&B crooner. It reached the No. 5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Besides Ashanti and Jennifer Lopez, Ja Rule also made great music with Lil’ Mo. “I Cry” is the second time they are on the same track, and it is a gem in Ja’s catalog. In this single, he shows a different side of himself as he appears more vulnerable. Lil’ Mo nails the chorus making it hard not to sing along. “I Cry” is the perfect mix of R&B and Hip Hop.

It’s clear Ja Rule knew how to have a good time. “Livin’ It Up” is a party record you can still play today. The song was featured in the movie Friday After Next, as it was played during Craig and Day-Day’s Christmas party. It’s different from Ja’s typical hits catered toward women.

With this one, everyone can enjoy this in a social setting. “Livin’ It Up” can be played at a celebration, a cookout, or in your car on a lovely sunny day. Ja links with R&B singer Case, whose chorus elevates the song to another level. Another great thing about this song is the use of Stevie Wonder’s classic “Do I Do.” Irv Gotti turned a favorite into a hit.

Ja Rule and Ashanti would’ve made a killing if they were just a duo. When they hop into the studio together, it’s always a hit. They have another one with “Always on Time.” The two always come up with catchy tunes, whether Ja with his witty lines or Ashanti’s response to his verses. It’s not hard to fall in love with a song like “Always on Time.” Ja saw a lot of success with this hit. This was his first No. 1 song as a lead artist on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s truly one of the best songs of the 2000s.

Ja Rule links with Christina Milian for “Between Me & You.” Off his Rule 3:36 album, it’s one of Ja’s more popular tracks. The song is another one for the ladies as Ja expects his woman to keep their business between them. Ja effortlessly flows over this unusual but brilliant beat produced by Irv Gotti. This is actually Ja’s first song to be successful on the charts. It reached the No. 11 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Usually, he collaborates with Ashanti for the hits, but this time he got it right with Christina Milian.

Lil’ Mo shines at the start of “Put It On Me.” When this song comes on, people love to sing her introduction. Then, everyone enjoys mimicking Ja’s first line: “What would I do without my baby?” The music video was a staple as it often appeared on BET’s 106 & Park. The popular music series even retired the video after regularly being on the countdown.

It’s safe to say Ja knows how to speak to the ladies. Most of his hit songs cater to women, especially a track like “Mesmerize.” Women would sing Ashanti’s part word for word as she responds to Ja in the chorus. Back then, the Queens rapper would have the ladies enchanted. Often, Ja could be seen shirtless with a durag while rapping in his unique, rough voice. Ladies couldn’t get enough of him.

The music video to “Mesmerize” was just as good as the song. Ja and Ashanti get their acting on as the video is inspired by the popular film, Grease. “Mesmerize” gives the duo their fourth Top 10 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song has a few catchy moments making it easy to memorize the lyrics.

Ja Rule might hold the crown for New York’s best anthem. Jay-Z made “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys in 2009, but Ja’s song for New York was a true Hip Hop anthem. We're not knocking Hov’s song because Keys is simply amazing, but the Murder Inc. captain joined forces with two other heavyweights in Hip Hop. Fat Joe and Jadakiss make the song even more New York! The song represented New York across the board, with the three artists coming from three different boroughs. Songs like this can’t be replicated because of the record's authenticity. Before this song, there wasn’t a straightforward anthem for the state responsible for Hip Hop. Ja Rule made it clear that this would be the song for all boroughs. People all over the nation were rapping, “I’m from New York, New York.”