Talib Kweli & Ja Rule Talk 50 Cent Beef, Irv Gotti, Murder Inc, Fyre Festival | People's Party Full 

What segment are y'all most excited for with Ja? TIME STAMPS: 2:52 -- Ja reflects on the simpler days when he was just getting started in the business while being in the midst of such a momentous time in hip hop. He tells about sitting in the studio with Gil Scott-Heron and gaining so much from his wealth of wisdom. They also get into Ja's start with the Queens trio Cash Money Click and how they came together. All starting with friends hustling in Hollis and one of them getting put on to several mixtapes by Mic Geronimo and DJ Irv Gotti. He illustrates what those early studio sessions were like with him coming to the realization that getting real pay as an emcee could be more than just a dream. 11:20 -- Ja gets asked when he made the conscious decision to leave hustling behind and fully focus on music. He outlines how he got pulled into the street life at the age of 12 years old. Being raised by his grandparents who were Jahova's Witness, shielded from everything early on. He also explains the fallout between his mother and grandparents, him staying with her fulltime and having to find a way to help pay the bills. He also tells how he navigated the Southside vs. Hollis Queens rivalry with him having connections on both sides and they go on to compare and contrast the differences that each NY borough had with their distinctive contributions to the culture. 22:13 -- Ja talks about the importance of longtime friend Irv Gotti during the entire course of his career, being there for each other though all the ups and downs. Ja telling that Irv was the first one that made him believe in himself having the potential to achieve real success in the rap game. They go on to explore Ja's take on why the Murder Inc. supergroup comprised of Jay-Z, DMX and Ja Rule never fully came to fruition. Ja also outlines his most favorable memories during the height of success, talks about leveling up with his feature and writing of the hook for Jay-Z's 'Can I Get A...', and tells what it was like being on the Hard Knock tour. 34:06 -- Ja speaks on the criticism he received for singing on his own hooks by his peers such as 50 Cent who then ended up later doing the same thing himself when he reached the mainstream. Ja explains the transition from his first album 'Venni Vetti Vecci' to his sophomore effort and why it ended up being so different. He lays out the whole process of making 'Rule 3:36' fully recorded in Los Angeles, the significance behind the title, the backlash from the NY crowd over the departure from his original sound, and carving out his own lane with an approach that others hadn't really tapped into. 50:50 -- Jasmin asks Ja what he has to say about Ashanti as an artist, a collaborator and a friend. Ja then goes to touch on some of the lesser known facts regarding his beef with 50 Cent. He is asked if his song 'New York' was part of the reason he made a return to his originating style. Ja then revists more things surrounding the beef including some of the behind the scenes conflicts that were taking place that many didn't realize, as well as what Ja feels was the biggest part of the story having to do with the FBI investigation into Murder Inc., 50 playing both sides, and his full take what really started the whole thing in the first place. 1:07:57 -- Ja tells the story of him and Irv continually ordering Cash Money Click's 'Get The Fortune' video on The BOX as a way to promote it to no end. Ja outlines the meeting at Def Jam with Jam Master Jay seeing the video, him stating that Ja was destined for stardom, leading to Jay contacting them for their own meeting at the studio, bringing them onto the team. Jas goes on to ask Ja if he would ever consider doing a Verzuz battle with 50 Cent, while discussing some of the similarities to the Jeezy and Gucci Mane beef. Ja also gives his take-aways from time being incarcerated, reading about the teachings of Malcolm X, and pulling from the strength of Nelson Mandella. 1:21:13 -- Ja responds to Dave Chappelle's “Where’s Ja??!” joke. They discuss celebrity worship and opinions being held in too high a regard, Dave's recent social commentary and why that was the acception, Ja speaks on his marriage to high school sweetheart Aisha Atkins, they talk about colorism, Ja answers some questions about the fraudulent 'Fyre' music festival, tells if he has regrets about the situation, and if he takes any accountability for what happened. Ja also talks about his take on the authorities and media ignoring controversial things surrounding other music festivals and him possibly being singled out. 1:36:36 -- Talib asks Ja to tell about his future plans in music as well as anything else. Ja gets into details about his management company titled 'Iconic Sounds', their artist-centered approach of partnering up with new talent and showing them how to navigate the music business. He also tells about a new video series anthology that he's putting together dealing with some of the biggest cons in American history, as well as his tech platform 'Iconn' to help artists take control of their own booking and more easily monetize their content.

Ja Rule always has that really good charismatic energy, he never lost his light. Great animated story teller!

Ja rule seems really genuine and truthful

Ja always come off as genuine and cool and humble. Nothing but respect for this guy💯

Ja wasn't lying, he had a lot of love out here and Holla Holla was on fire on the radio!

That era when Ja was on fire was a dope ass era that’s word to 106 & Park 😤

The Box man these kids will never know how simple life was before the internet.

Ja really deserve more respect...dude beat a fed case and got more hits than alot of peoples favorite rappers..only 5 percent of ppl go against the feds and win.

Peace Talib! I think that it's dope how you provide your guests with a safe place to tell their story without interrupting. Really dope!

People like to clown Ja but he is a legend who earned his spot. I still play Get the Fortune from Cash money click til this day

Funny how everyone laughed at Ja Rule for singing on hooks back in the day and now almost every rapper does it.

People are starting to realise they hated on this man for no reason he's a better all round artist then most

Ja got hits.That 50 beef ain't got shit to do with me. I'ma still play his shit

New York track was really a banger and still is. It's on every list of hip hop I make.

Ja is a real one! One of the most passionate and deep artists! 💯 Legend!!!

I love when Ja said my wife is BLACK and he's been married to her for 20 years. That's dope!!!

Ja always showed love when we came through with Fatal... Good dude. RIP FATAL

Appreciate Talib listening.... Lol. Nore and Fat Joe be Interupting like a Mug!!! But I like them too. Let these celebs talk. They have great stories....!

BEST JA RULE INTERVIEW EVER!!!!! Props to Ja Rule, Talib, Jasmin and Uproxx!!! Salute

Excellent interview. Thanks for letting the guest talk without unnecessary interruptions

Ja Rule was my all time favorite and he's very charismatic

Great interview Talib and Jasmine. I was not a fan of Ja Rule but I understand his from where he came from to where he is now. It's definitely respected.

I respect Ja the man way more than 50. 50 doesn't even take care if his son and disrespects him. Ja raised all his children and was a father. From a father that's more than any song.

People can make fun of Ja Rule all they want but we not gon sit here & act like he ain’t had hits

Ja has a level of self awareness that many artists in his era fail to grasp

Kweli, the space you and Jasmine have created. Thank you, great talk as always...

Ja rule was always solid

Ja needs to get his roses now. I'm a Ja fan. He is a real fan of music and a musician!

Ja Rule legend!

Great interview!!! Such a difference when the hosts let the artists speak. We get to learn so much about the artists. Thank you for that.

ppl love to hate Ja Rue for some reason....I wasn't big fan of Ja Rule singy songs but dude is a legend with a lot of hits. Shout out to Rule!

Ayo, I've always defended and rocked with Ja.. He's always speaks "real" shit, and he's transparent af.. I could rock with him on any level, before I could with 50..

Crazy because I remember G-Unit making fun of Ja for being a Jehovah's Witness back in the day and I used to be like "ahh he's a sucker!" It's crazy how you see things when you look at it from a different perspective instead of having my G-Unit fan blinders on.

Ja rule is still that dude🙏🏾🙏🏾

Rule!!!..The Legend!!!🎶!!!!💯....

Great interview, big up to Ja & Talib and his team. Ja you're a good dude my brother, stay blessed. JGreen- Bushwick Brooklyn, down in Orlando FL now. Glad your son got through Full Sail. 👍🇵🇷 Peace.

I'm glad he got his opportunity to FINALLY talk his shit. Made the blueprint for Drake to take off.

Damn Ja made a lot of Hip-Hop classics!!!!

I remember the days in middle school and high school where I was still one of the few Ja Rule fans blasting his music and proud of it!

Ja definitely deserves his flowers for his impact on hip hop in the early 00s.

Gil Noble, Like it is..You all are doing them proud. These are gonna be Classic rewatches!

Ja Rule actually seems like a cool guy. I'm not too sure about 50 - he always seems like he has ulterior motives.

Dissed ja rule - took his style and run with it Styles P

Getting proper education here! When all I did was dance groove party ... hearing how it came about and listening from the voices ... priceless .. great work guys thank u 🙏🏾

Yo love all the interviews Talib, this is def one of the top hip hop podcasts out right now 💯🔥 Keep up the good work, and keep you & yours healthy thru these crazy days brotha ✌🏻

The legend himself. Fuck the haters, Ja was killing it back in the day.

When is the Murda Inc Biopic coming out!? And Irv Gotti definitely needs to drop a Murda Inc reunion album Guest appearances from Dmx & Jay-Z💯💯✔

Venni Vetti Vecci still a claaaasic!!! appreciate the interview. salute & salaam

Dope Interview, Peace Ms Jazz, Talib Kweli and Brother Ja-Rule...Always respected and appreciated This Emcee....He’s well accomplished by the Reflection of His Children, That’s Heavy...3 Children through College, Well Decorated Emcee....Peace & Blessings Our Brother of HIPHOP, Ja-Rule mastered his market-niche...!!!

Salute to Talib salute to Jasmine Ja Rule is a legend I'm rockin wit rule

53:42 50 beef. welcome ✌️🤣

Ja Rule is a important piece in our Culture.

Great interview with talib and ja rule.

Ja definitely got humbled and lost the beef. But in the long run i actually think it probably helped him. He seem a genuine and positive dude. He's been at the top, played big shows, became a millionaire and is alive to tell the tale! That's a win.

Respect to Ja. He graduated from the Harvard Biz school recently. Much respect!

Man Ja had summers on fire 🔥 his music is part of my memories and childhood salute 2 Murda Inc !

One of the Goats. Ruleeeee

I like Ja and 50. Their shit is exactly that, Their shit. I like their music

Jarule my favorite artist

“Livin’ It Up” was on “Pain Is Love “... The second album was “Rule 3:36”

My favorite part starts at 1:06:30----1:08:02. Because it's the truth.

Ja rule a real one , rap legend and love how he and Irv stuck by preme.

Back In The Day was a good movie

Ja is my dude!!

Dissed Ja Rule, took his Style and Ran with it 🎶 🏃🏿

Ja has one of the best catalogs in rap history and one of the best runs in rap history. Yall sheep let 50 make yall not admit it

Holla Holla was my joint! 👑

I love Talib, but when he makes the distinction that Ja is a CELEBRITY while Dave is an ARTIST, I can imagine Ja screaming inside his head, "I'm an artist too, pimp!"

Dope I was waiting on this

Ja is a great rapper and person, and he is on the level of the best MC's from the east coast. Many hits , still get excited when a Ja rule song comes on.

"Livin It Up" was on Rule's 3rd album "Love Is Pain" not on Rule "33:6" Talib kept saying it was on "Rule 33:6"....."Between Me & You" was on that album.

Dope interview.......I love rule interviews I was 11-15 years old when he was on top and his joints bring back good memories......dope catalogue......6 feet underground underrated track!!

Ja Rule got album bangers too yo.

Yoo.. When you dropping again Ja?! We need you back man

Great Podcast

I'm new to this show but watched a fair few and will watch many more as I LOVE the humanising, culture appreciating conversations with Talib, Jasmin and their guest. Talib seems like such a free loving man, it's great to see. Positive vibes, authentic stories. Much love to all.

This is one of the realest interviews. The whole explanation or interpretation of BK and Queens contribution to hip hop while acknowledging at the same time that Bronx was the cratle of hip hop was dope.

Great interview y’all

Hard Knock Life Tour. One of the GOATours💯💯💯

Yoyo, great interview Talib. You let the guest speak without cutting them off and that's awesome. Good stuff man! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

💪🏾💯✊🏾 RESPECT ⚔️ HONOR !!!

Bless up to Jah one of my all time favorite.

VENNI VETTI VECCI IS 1 OF MY FAVORITE ALBUMS EVER

Great interview!💪🏾

People make fun of ja rule but he has good music

I respect Ja Rule a lot more now since I've grown up I listen to a lot of his music when I was a kid but I never got his side of the story of why he fell off and what happened I'm also an artist and a producer respect his love and dedication this study of the craft

Come back man old school flavor is back again.

Ja with the serious introspective look in the thumbnail😂😂

Ja's life would make one hell of a movie.

Ja's catalog > 50's catalog. It's simple math.

Get the Fortune is still my ish!!

U can’t tell me nothing about 50 but Ja my dude

Holla Holla...it's Murda! Man that Murda Inc run is nostalgic...shit was HS for me.

Ja is legendary artist who deserves fan to appreciate his work

Nore woulda destroyed this interview and every story Ja tried to tell.. Give Ja his flowers 💐 now

Peeps really need to stop clownin' on my guy Taliban. Put some respeck on his name! Sad he always gets overshadowed by Mos. He needs 💐 too!

" I was the chocolate nigga in this shit" Ja Rule His Catalogue is Legendary

I'm mad at ALL THOSE CLOWNS who turned on RULE for no reason. They had no hate for RULE before that clown started hating on him. RULE music aged so much better than you know who anyway!!!! Put some music out tho RULE🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯💯💯peace to the legend

RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!