Ja Rule's album, Venni, Vetti, Vecci (latin for he came, he saw, he conqured) is due out 6/1 on Def Jam/Murder Inc. Records. The album features the 3 hot singles Holla, Holla & It's Murda (f/ DMX & Jay-Z) & Kill'Em All (f/ Jay-Z). Make sure you look out fer this hot new Def Jam signey!
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
within DMX�s Ruff Ryder camp and Jay-Z�s
Roc-a-fella imprint, the 21-year old native of Hollis,
Queens has been responsible for some of today�s
hottest hip hop verses. Ja�s distinctive gravel-stone
voice and fiery presence have blessed projects that
include: "Murdergram" a single on the Streets is
Watching Soundtrack; Jay-Z�s "Can I Get A�;" and
"Gangsta Sh*t" from DJ Clue�s The Professional.
Importantly, with the highly anticipated release of his
debut album Venni, Vetti, Vecci (Latin for "He
Came, he saw, he conquered"), Ja Rule establishes
his place as a force to be reckoned with in today�s
competitive environment.
Rhyming from the age of 16,
Ja (taken from his initials Jeff
Atkins) made his first vocal
appearance on Mic
Geronimo�s 1995�s "Time To
Build," the B-side to Mic
Geronimo�s "Masta I.C." The
track�s producer and fellow
Hollis, Queens neighbor, Irv Gotti heard of Ja rule
from around the way and immediately enlisted his
services. Building from the strength of his debut
appearance, Ja and two friends, collectively known
as "The Cash Money Click" signed an album deal
with Blunt/TVT Records. Their first and only single,
�95�s "Get The Fortune," b/w "For My Click" saw
rotation on New York�s Hot 97. After a great first
effort, longtime friend Irv Gotti, Ja secured a meeting
with Def Jam president, Lyor Cohen. In a strange
turn of events, Lyor, impressed by Irv�s street sense
and business savvy, hired him as an A&R
representative, whose first order of business was to
sign Ja Rule to Def Jam. While people might
recognize Ja for his party-styled contributions on
Jay-Z�s smash "Can I Get A�," his debut effort is a
soulful salute to the street. Songs such as the
introspective "Only Begotten Son," the heartfelt
"Daddy�s Little Baby," and the inspiring "Race
Against Time," represent only a piece of Ja�s
well-rounded freshman opus. "It�s really not a
conquering of the world, but more a conquering of
myself," says Ja of his triumphantly titled album,
which boasts 17 tracks featuring Jay-Z, DMX and
Memphis Bleek.
Needless to say, Ja�s debut LP
also boasts it�s healthy share of
murderous material. The ominous
"It�s Murda" features the reunion of
Ja, DMX and Jay-Z, who proceed
to lay competition to rest 3 the
hard way. The alarming "Worlds
Most Dangerous," represents the
official arrival of Ja as he declares
a lock down on the hip-hop world. The album�s first
single, "Holla, Holla" is destined to be rap�s next
street anthem. A hard track established the perfect
foundation for Ja�s newly-grafted doubled-up style
and his infectious call and response hook: "Holla,
Holla / All My Ni**as that�s ready to get / Dollas,
Dollas / Bit**es know who get them a little / Hotta
Hotta / Come on, if you rollin� with me / Folla, Folla�
It�s Murda!"
"I�ve learned to deal effectively with the pressure,"
says a confident Ja. In addition to his forthcoming
album, Ja�s slated projects include: the Wyclef
produced "25 to Life" from the Life Soundtrack,
featuring Ja alongside Juvenile and Xzibit;
Blackstreet�s first single "Girlfriend / Boyfriend"
featuring Janet Jackson and Eve; and Dru Hill�s
"You Are Everything." "I don�t want people to think
I�m piggy backing on anyone," explains Ja, whose
name should be swarming the streets this summer.
"I want everyone to feel me for me. When my album
drops, I want my fans to have a clear picture of Ja.
That�s why I named my album Venni, Vetti, Vecci,"
continues Ja. I�m clear where I want to go and what I
want to do. The only thing that remains is for me to
conquer my destiny." And knowing Ja Rule, it
shouldn�t take long.----DefJam.com
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