It’s a real New Yorker anthem for old heads and new school fans alike, with Fat Joe and Jadakiss both providing their 5 Boroughs credentials. “New York” is worthy of a mention on this list simply because of the legends Ja Rule gathered on the song. The video, a standout of the early 2000s, found Ja and Ashanti producing their own version of Grease. The song, produced by New York legend Irv Gotti, features harpsichord-adjacent synths and a string of excellent verses from Ja. In the early 2000s, Ja Rule and Ashanti hopping on a track together practically guaranteed a chart-topper.
“Between Me & You” is a late night jam populated by booming bass drum hits and a star-making chorus from Christina Milian. On the song “Between Me & You,” Ja Rule once again goes the romantic route, but this time he opts for raunchy details instead of a sappy celebration of his partner. It’s a vulnerable moment in a discography of gritty street tales, with Ja singing in the chorus, “What would I be without my baby?/The thought alone might break me.”ĥ. While the track remains a certified banger in this revived era of New Jack Swing-inspired rap, it was a cultural touchstone upon its release, blending the sugary vocals of J-Lo with the rumbling melodies of Ja.Ī hit from 3:36, “Put it On Me” is an unrepentant love song and a dedication to Ja Rule’s real-life girlfriend. In 2001, Ja Rule recruiting Jennifer Lopez for an “I’m Real” remix was as big as news got.
It’s an emotional number that proves the versatile power of Ja’s approach.ħ. Accompanied by Lil Mo’, Ja goes personal on the track, mourning his lost friends and the trauma he had to experience to get to the top of the charts. On “I Cry” from Ja Rule’s 2000 breakthrough Rule 3:36, he leans further into the melding of mainstream gangsta rap and neo-R&B. We’re suckers for a well-placed sample, and it’s hard to imagine anything better than Ja Rule crooning over a sample of Toto’s “Africa.” It veers dangerously close to saccharine, but Ja imbues the song with enough emotion and visceral detail to keep its street credentials intact.
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