magenta321's Full Review: Rule 3:36 [PA] by Ja Rule
Does Ja Rule or Ja Suck?
I will admit, I was into Ja Rule from back in the days of "Murda". He was never popular with my friends, who all called him "Ja Sucks." A few of these friends were djs, and I like to believe this sentiment came from playing his songs one too many times.
After many months of listening to the radio, and going to clubs and bars and listening to the new releases from Ja Rule's second album, 3:36, it became more and more apparent. No matter what my friends thought, I had to get this album. And no matter what they said, I knew they all secretly liked it. After all, I'd heard them all singing along each time one of the hits came on. Even if it isn't something they loved, they had to admit the singles were catchy.
The catchiest and most popular single from this album was Between Me and You which features up-and-coming Christina Milan. The popish song takes on a shady message that can be fun, but somewhat politically incorrect.
Every little thing that we do
Should be between me and you
The freaky things that we do
You got alotta freak in you, baby.
...
Did my man ever tell you
He love what you do?
That thing with your tongue;
You the best, who knew.
It's been close a few,
At times even impossible
But it's been between me and you, baby.
Ok, not the sweetest lyrics in the world, I'll give you that. I do remember shooting a dirty glare at one of my best friends the first time I heard this song, and we both were thinking the same exact thing. It seems, everyone has at least been close to these situations, if not in one for themselves. Heh.
While Between Me and You is a somewhat light-hearted view of infidelity, not all the songs are so um, upbeat. The introductory track sets you off in a mood far different than you would expect. It opens with the noise and growl of a classic DMX track, and winds into powerful lyrics:
'Cause only Lord knows
All the pain I've been down
I should just kill myself
And get it all over with
Did I hear right? The guy is going to kill himself on track 1? Oh wait, there is more:
But then I stop and pray,
Lord watch over me.
Oh, ok, he is trying to preach to us, also a la DMX. I don't usually get to that point in the track. I get to "I should just kill myself" and hit the button to the next track. Ok, grit is good, but what an awful way to introduce an album! And I really hate the preachy rapper act. "Yeah, I'm'onna tell you 'bout thug life, I'm'onna tell ya y'all is trife, then I'm'onna hit with rhymes like da preacher's wife. Boo-yeah!" Oh sorry. Ja Rule never said that. I did. Sorry, but if I wanted a sermon, it would not come from someone who is: a. a gangster, or b. puts on a gangster front.
Ok, I am done bad-mouthing Ja Rule for now. That's because there are more good songs for me to talk about than bad ones. I know you are waiting for me to talk about the other single that everyone heard way too much of -- Put it on Me featuring Vita. Maybe everyone else got sick of this song, but I never did. It is one of those special songs that reminds me of someone and makes me mushy. Ok, now I will get onto the lyrics and you can all discount my opinion because of the fact that I must be certifiable.
And I don't wanna do nothin' to hurt my baby girl
If this was our world it'd be all yours, baby
The thought alone might break me
And I don't wanna go crazy
Cause every thug needs a lady (yeah, yeah)
I feel you baby cause them eyes ain't lying
Wash away all the tears there be no more crying (baby)
And you complete me, and I would die if you ain't wit me
So baby girl put it on me.
Ok, the English degree I earned makes me say "STOP! Cliche, straight ahead!" Still, I can't help but feel this song. Especially the line "every thug needs a lady." Ok, call me crazy (Magenta, you're crazy), but I think that that is about the sweetest line you will get out of a true thug. And if he is dancing with you and singing it to you on the dance floor, you just might melt. I digress.
And that is Ja Rule, a balance of sweetness and light with pain and darkness. It's like life. There are so many good times, which are filled with sadness. It's the old "double-edged sword" concept. So, when you are suicidal and finding God, cheating on your lover, or falling in love with a person who is no good for you, you have these chaotic and grand moments. These are the sorts of moments, which Ja Rule feeds off of throughout the album.
Well, now I am making Ja Rule out to be more of a poet or philosopher than he really is. I mean, there are tracks like I'll F*ck You Girl which throw everything I've said out the window. Well, this is more of an interlude or a skit than a song, but still. With lyrics like these, there isn't a lot of highbrow analysis, which can occur. "Face down, *ss up, come on girl, we like to f*ck. In the middle of the night, put it in your butt... I'm'onna f*ck you girl!" Ok, cute. I can totally picture a group of my guy friends (also known as dogs or dawgs, based on their behavior)banding together and saying something like that. Actually, when drunk enough, I am sure I have seen them behave like this. Boys will be boys and "thugs" will be "thugs."
Ja Rule is very aware of his image as a "thug" throughout this album. In the streets, you need credibility. No one will listen to what you have to say, if you cannot back it up. Now Rule is out of the streets, but still trying to keep that image alive. Songs like 6 Feet Underground are like a badge of who Rule claims to be. "I'm ghetto but I don't fear, its deeper than love if you want to get it n*gga then come on n*gga get it in blood" His aggression and don't mess with me attitude are further evidenced by his bad*ss anthem F*ck You.
Ya'll n*ggas want 'em dead? (who?)
Then wanna ride? (who?)
Y’all know the n*ggas that be steady screamin' (F*ck you!)
It's murda murda.. you know it's murda murda
We scream it.. we yell it.. we livin' murda murda murda.
Ok, so we get the point. You are big and bad. We won't mess with 3:36, ok?
After some "die mother-f*ckers, die" chants, and acceptance of gangster life, a la It's Your Life, the Rule's thug-living appearance and attitude have dominated the album. It's the dog-eat-dog underworld message.
We all got to eat
So live your life
N*ggas, it's alright.
Rules messages are usually morally corrupt by society's point of view. Infidelity, murder, selling drugs, and his various other activities are listed without shame. In fact, he is proud of these things. He comes from the mindset of "whatever it takes to get by." I can't say that I subscribe to this philosophy, but this acceptance is what allows one to become a true thug.
A few songs stand out because they tend to break the thug-image and the dichotomy of good and evil. The infectiously upbeat Extasy is a fun song that talks about just having a good time, and letting loose on the drug. Hey, I never said it would have an acceptable moral, just a different one.
The other song which really stands out is I Cry featuring my favorite up-and-comer, Lil' Mo. He finally has a song where he realizes how selfish this lifestyle is. He actually apologizes to his wife in this song for all of the bad things he has done. Be-still my heart! The man does have one! He also apologizes for the violence that his hard living has cost himself, his family, and his friends.
Don't shed a tear cuz the n*gga died happily
My momma warned me life was a muthaf*cka
But I ignored the warning and kept on hustlin'
And every night she just looked at me
Tears in her eyes and they be saying sh*t like
"I don't want me baby to die"
Brought so much pain into a life
Gotta make it better
Cuz when ma cried I cried
We cried together.
Ok, there is a big, weak area in my heart that wants to cry when this song comes on, because it seems so heartfelt and emotional. But look, the man just put out an entire album talking about how "thug" he is, and possibly even glamorizing it. Maybe it would work, if it wasn't a part of the "gangster"-image in rap formula. Every rapper who is copping the gangster image seems to have one of these songs, and each one is as apologetic as the next. Ok, maybe they are for real, but it seems awfully contrived and formulaic.
Ok, after totally deconstructing Ja Rule's image, how can I recommend this album? Well, he sounds reminiscent to DMX to me. I love DMX, and don't really feel that Ja Rule is trying to step on his toes, so the fact that they sound similar to my ear is a good thing.
I also like a lot of the beats, especially on the songs like Extasy, and the singles Between Me and You and Put it on Me. There is also the part of me who enjoys the grit and the battle of good and evil inside of Ja Rule. Even the angrier songs, like Die Muthaf*cka, Die and 6 Feet Underground have good beats and a distinct sound, even if their message is a little on the worn side.
Overall, while a few songs have an upbeat feel to them, they are not at all uplifting. Some people appreciate that. If you do not, I would stay away from this album. It's not as bad as most true gangsta-rap, but still doesn't paint pretty little pictures in the mind. The album is angry and raw in most places. I guess I appreciate that.
So, Does Ja Rule or Ja Suck?
I was getting there. Ok, let me bottom-line this. His message is not positive. The songs are nothing particularly new to the genre. But, oh, I don't know. I just like it, ok? So if you want to say Ja Sucks, go ahead. Shout it from the rooftops for all I care. I still really enjoy this album.
If the company you keep is any indication of your own merit, then Def Jam s latest rap phenomenon, Ja Rule is destined for greatness. Juggling roles w...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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