Following the release of his platinum-selling debut Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), he released his respective second and third albums Rule 3:36 (2000) and Pain Is Love (2001). Ja Rule has been nominated for two American Music Awards and four Grammy Awards with respective collaborators Lil' Mo, Vita, Ashanti and Case. Billboard Hot 100 chart, including ' Between Me and You' (featuring Christina Milian), ' I'm Real (Murder Remix)' and ' Ain't It Funny' (both with Jennifer Lopez)-which both topped the Hot 100-the number 1 hit ' Always on Time' (featuring Ashanti), ' Mesmerize' (featuring Ashanti), and ' Wonderful' (featuring R. From 1999 to 2005, Ja Rule had multiple hits that made the top 20 of the U.S. During the 2000s, Ja Rule was signed to Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Born and raised in New York City, he debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its lead single ' Holla Holla'. (born February 29, 1976), better known by his stage name Ja Rule ( / dʒ ɑː r uː l/), is an American rapper.