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| Ja Rule | |
|---|---|
 Ja Rule in 2000 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jeffrey Bruce Atkins |
| Born | February 29, 1976 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | November 18, 2003 (aged 27) New York City, U.S. |
| Spouse | Aisha Murray (m. 2001, his death) |
| Genres | East Coast hip hop • pop rap • gangsta rap • hardcore hip hop • political hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper • singer • songwriter • record producer • actor |
| Years active | 1994-2003 |
| Associated acts | Murder Inc. |
Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr. (February 29, 1976 - November 18, 2003) better known by his stage name Ja Rule, was an American rapper, singer, and actor. Born and raised in New York City, Ja Rule became known as a leading figure in the early 2000s hip hop for his blending of gangsta rap with commercially-oriented pop sensibilities despite him being around for a short period of time. He signed with Irv Gotti's Murder Inc Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings to release his debut studio album Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), which spawned his first single "Holla Holla".
Selling over 15 million combined units, both also received triple platinum certification by the RIAA and remain his bestselling albums. He followed up with his respective fourth and fifth albums The Last Temptation (2002) and Blood in My Eye (2003; posthoumous release), The Last Temptation received platinum certification. He was killed on November 18, 2003, when he was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting at the age of 27 in the Interway 87 neighborhood of New York City. The perpetrator, who remained unknown until 2007, was later identified as Walter Johnson. This revelation came in 2007 when Johnson was apprehended and identified as the individual responsible for Ja Rule's death, resulting in his arrest in 2008. Johnson was later charged with a number of offenses, including second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon, and was sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment for his role in the murder.
Early life[]
Jeffrey Bruce Atkins was born on February 29, 1976, in Hollis, a section of the Queens borough of New York City. Atkins' father left the family when he was very young. Atkins was raised as an only child, as his younger sister, Kristen, died in the womb when Atkins was 5. His mother, Debra, was a healthcare worker, and due to the amount of time she spent working, Atkins was largely raised by his grandparents as a Jehovah's Witness. Atkins' mother left the Jehovah's Witness religion when he was 12. Soon after, Atkins began selling drugs in Hollis.
Career[]
Cash Money Click (1994–95)[]
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Solo career and Venni Vetti Vecci (1995–1999)[]
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Rule 3:36, Pain Is Love and The Last Temptation (2000–2002)[]
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50 Cent feud and Blood in My Eye (2003)[]
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Murder[]
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