Ja Rule

Rapper/Actor The world was introduced to this gravelly voiced rhymer via an appearance on Jay-Z’s “Can I Get A.…” Though once Ja Rule unleashed his own smash single “Holla Holla” off his platinum debut LP Venni Vetti Vecci, it was clear what formula would anchor this Queens, NY-born rapper and make him a hip hop heavyweight: a rugged blending of hip hop and R&B with his voice. It was this combination that would push his sophomore disc, Rule 3:36, to the top of Billboard’s Top 200 list and sell three million units. It would also make Ja a much-sought-after song collaborator, as he would appear on singles by Jennifer Lopez and Ashanti. Ja Rule has also enjoyed a notable acting career, starring in films alongside such box office stars as Steven Segal (Half Past Dead) and Ving Rhames (Back in the Day). Ja Rule is currently serving a two-year prison stint stemming from a gun possession charge in 2007.