Ja Rule isn’t too pleased about being snubbed by Billboard and VIBE in their list of the Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time.
The publications named JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, 2Pac, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G., Lil Wayne, Drake, Snoop Dogg and Nicki Minaj as their top 10 picks on Wednesday (February 8), but Ja Rule didn’t make it into the top 50.
The Murder Inc. hitmaker came across the list and was surprised he didn’t make the cut based on his résumé. Despite that, he still congratulated everyone else who did.
“There ain’t 50 rappers dead, alive or waiting to be born better than me… #ICONN #Vibes,” he tweeted on Thursday (February 9). “@billboard congrats to everyone on the list well deserved but check my resume… #ICONN #Vibes.”
In putting together the list, Billboard and VIBE took into account body of work/achievements (charted singles/albums, gold/platinum certifications), cultural impact/influence (how the artist’s work fostered the genre’s evolution), longevity (years at the mic), lyrics (storytelling skills) and flow (vocal prowess).
In terms of charting, Ja Rule’s debut album Venni Vetti Vecci peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in 1999, with his next two albums Rule 3:36 and Pain Is Love reaching No. 1. His next three albums, The Last Redemption, Blood in My Eye and R.U.L.E. also cracked the top 10.
Ja only has one No. 1 single of his own in “Always on Time” featuring Ashanti, but “Mesmerize,” “Wonderful,” “Livin’ It Up,” “Put It on Me” all made the Billboard Hot 100 top 10.
In addition, he’s had other No. 1 singles as a featured artist on Jennifer Lopez‘s “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” and “Ain’t It Funny (Murder Remix).” Fat Joe‘s “What’s Luv?” also reached No. 2, while his “Down 4 U” collaboration with Charli Baltimore, Vita and Ashanti peaked at No. 6.
Many fans replied to Ja Rule’s tweet, supporting his claim that he should have made it into the top 50.
“you are one of the most influential artists of all time,” one fan said.
Another wrote: “No Ja, Nelly or The Game, it’s insane none of them not in top 50, Ja resume is unreal, Nelly has a diamond album, transcended hip hop and Game brought the west coast back and has numerous classic albums, the list is trash, the fact JAY-Z is number 1 says it all & Ye not top 10.”
“All good @jarule The Real Ones know you are amongst the greatest,” another person said.
Further down Billboard and VIBE‘s list, Kanye West came in at No. 11, followed by André 3000, Rakim, LL COOL J, J. Cole, Scarface, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Missy Elliott and Big Daddy Kane rounding out the top 20.
Man listen how in the world can anyone take that list seriously? Some on there that don’t belong and SO MANY MISSED that do. It’s all good Ja
Caz and the CC4
Fantastic Freaks
Busy B
Kool Moe Dee
So many more to list
Ja Rule, bwaaaahaaaahaaa…Ah man that was funny. Damn, I needed that laugh.
Laugh? Actually listen to the music. If Drake makes this list, Ja Rule should be on it hands down. Ja Rule actually had dope albums. Idc if yoy think he’s a phony, too pop, or whatever. Has at least 3 solid albums that destroy anything Drake has dropped in his entire career. People just love to hate pn Ja Rule like it’s cool for everyone to hate Nickelback wheb there’s far worse music.
I am not hating on him in the way that you believe. I think that he would be considered in a list of top 200, or maybe in the top 125. I think that you are giving too much credit to his catalogue. The early stuff with Cash Money Click showed a lot of promise. His first album I would consider to be decent. But to be in the top 50, he is dreaming. That is the laughter. You are way too nice to put him in the top 50 on any list. I am being fair in that statement. I feel like my post was more dismissive than I would usually be, but it was an authentic feeling. I think you took my post a little personal,
Genuine question. Who would you bump out of this particular top 50 list and replace with Ja Rule. Let us know the criteria that you made your decision (ie. catalogue, lyrical potency, cultural impact or shift, etc.)
Any list without Rakim and KRS-One in the top 10 are disqualified…
Ok boomer
Boo for your weak ass small brain response.
Real niggaz don’t pay no attention to other people’s opinions Ja should focus on resurrecting his career
For real. I’d like to here some new Ja Rule. I think he’d be interesting to hear from in music again. Bet he would have more old-school, 2000s type beats, which I think we’re awesome. Do some pop rap, do some more gangster rap. Do a track that’s deep and all about how hid career was destroyed. A track about how he went downhill, if done properly, could be really awesome. He was pretty great on the mic overall. Kind of like a mix of DMX and someone a bit more lyrical.
Didn’t Ja rule inform y’all he was gonna be retiring even before the 50 and Ja beef blew? He ain’t putting out no albums no more. His old stuff are there for us to still enjoy. Check his Versus with Fat Joe
It could only get worse if rolling stone made such a list… they would probably put something like city girls on it, or cardi 😀
Ja’s music was cool, but also paper thin. He’s prob in my top 110 rappers.
No Kool G Rap??? But you got Future and some other wanksters in there?
This I agree with, G Rap is so often name dropped and sited as a GOAT by so many rappers, so many of his own peers, its a joke he’s not on there. Ja Rule can jog on however.
Real niggaz don’t pay no attention to other people’s opinions Ja should focus on resurrecting his career
This list thing will never work.
Any list without big pun, buckshot, Busta
Any list without big pun, buckshot, Busta