After being in the game for several years as part of the Cash Money Click, Ja Rule finally hit us up with his debut album 'Veni, Vetti, Vicci' back in 1999. Ja's signature raspy voice that reminded some of us a little too much of DMX and Irv Gotti's Ruff Ryders-like beats made the record a successful piece of music and catapulted Ja Rule's sales up into the sky.

Now for his sophomore joint stakes was high for Ja, especially with the whole Ruff Ryders Swizz Beatz hype definitely declining nowadays. Nevertheless Ja Rule stuck on „Rule 3:36“ pretty much to the plan that turned him into one of the hot shots just a year ago. The album is mainly produced by Irv Gotti featuring the typical uptempo, sample free Gotti beats. But Ja also shows some courage. On „Rule 3:36“ he omits to feature the usual heavyweights such as DMX or Jigga. Instead he gives his group The Murderers a second chance to shine after their own record „Irv Gotti Presents The Murderers“ wasn’t as successful as probably expected. The album really starts with track # 3 „Between Me And You“ featuring Christina Milian. „Between Me And You“ is the first single off the album and currently in heavy rotation on most urban radio stations from East to West. A typical hit track with a nice hook to sing along. By the time you read this you most likely can’t stand the song anymore. „Put It On Me“ follows as track # 4. It features a few bars by Vita, Murder Inc.‘s First Lady. Certainly a talented girl but she biting Eve’s rhyme style and flow too much. „Die“ is anot her song featuring two of Ja’s protégés, the Murderers‘ Tah Murdah, Black Child, along with Dave Bing. A raw, „It’s Murder“-like track. Worth mentioning is definitely „Extasy.“ A danceable, uptempo club cut with raps of The Murderers again and, surprise, Ja’s label mate Jayo Felony bringing a little of that Westcoast flava to the track. Ja Rule singing the hook, nice beat and all, but glorifying the little pills? Well, you decide. On „It’s Your Life“ by DaMizza Ja follows a current trend and goes Caribbean. Still a nice one, though. „I Cry“ is the only song on „Rule 3:36“ using a sample, „Cry Together“ by the Ojays. Supported by vocally by R&B singer Lil‘ Mo Ja Rule gets all emotional worshiping his relationship with wifey Aisha and reminiscing of some homies that passed away. A slow song that doesn’t really fit but rounds off well the uptempo dominated album.

The last track on „Rule 3:36“ is called „The Rule Won’t Die.“ And in fact, although this definitely not gonna be Album Of The Year, Ja reminded us that he‘s still around. Now this Queens cat won’t die away in our memory too quickly. And by the way, just to make sure Ja Rule’s newest record, the double (!) CD „Pain Is Love“ is said to drop early in the 2K1.