Hate him or love him, Ja Rule’s contributions to the hip-pop game are undeniable. From 1999 to 2003, Ja Rule literally went from a “DMX knockoff” to the king of R&B collaborations. His track record speaks for itself; and up until the overwhelming media backlash in 2003, Rule topped the charts. While his first offering ‘Venni Vetti Vicci’ was aimed at the hardcore audience DMX so quickly took advantage of, Rule returned in 2000 with the more radio friendly “Rule 3:36”. “Pain Is Love” is his third album, and was released in late 2001.

1.) Pain Is Love (Skit)

Ja Rule sets off his third offering talking over a menacing instrumental while police sirens can be heard in the background, but can later be heard singing in the background. Not the best way to open up the album.

2.) Dial M For Murder

Over slow and thuggish production, Ja spits what one would call his life story. While the lyrics are subpar and the hook features more whining from Rule, Ja’s delivery and the production make for a listenable track.

3.) Livin It Up feat. Case

Chances are if you were a hip hop fan in 2001; you’ve probably heard this song at least 50 times. This pop fueled collaboration with Case features a classic Stevie Wonder rendition. Rule croons the hook (with the now-too-typical tale of sex, drugs, and rock n roll), and offers a suprisingly good single that had everyone vibing. Good song.

4.) The Inc. feat. Cadillac Tah, Black Child, Ashanti

Over another pounding instrumental, Ja and the Murderers (Black Child, Cadillac Tah) show a glimpse of Rule’s street side. Great, great beat; and even Ashanti finds her way on to the end of the song, giving it some extra flavor. Great song.

5.) Always On Time feat. Ashanti

This song is the perfect example of the gift (and curse) that Ja had; and that’s making sing song collabo’s for the radio. While it got him to the top; this song is nothing more then a “I love my lady” type of songs. Decent song at best; but definatley not a banger.

6.) Down Ass ***** feat. Charli Baltimore

“Every thug needs a ladyyyyy!!” just about sums this track up. After the mediocre performance Rule served up with “Always On Time”, Ja returns with this God awful mess of a song. Featuring Charli Baltimore, this features Rule singing to his women, once again. Although heralded as his calling card, he’s clearly capable of much more. Skip it.

7.) Never Again

Just when a listener of this album thought it couldn’t get any worse, it does just that. This is yet another song with Rule performing/whining the hook with an off key pitch. Rule’s apologized to enough women, and simply didn’t need to do it again on this track. Skip it.

8.) Worldwide Gangstas feat. The Murderers

This should be more of what’s expected from a good Ja Rule album. Over thorough New York production, the entire Murder Inc. roster spits flames over this street banger; with Ja rapping the final (and best verse) on the song. Great track.

9.) Leo (Skit)

After the last song, I think it’s safe to say everyone expected more. Now, while most skits are overlooked on albums, there are a few that actually contribute to the album. This is definatley not one of them. Rule’s “Miss Cleo” imitation is neither necessary, nor funny. Skip it.

10.) I’m Real (Murda Mix) feat. Jennifer Lopez

Quite possibly Rule’s biggest hit to date, this track (featuring Jennifer Lopez) samples Rick James’ classic “Mary Jane”, and actually very cleverly makes for a great hip-pop track. If you can get passed the fact that Ja’s main priority is clearly geared towards a female teenage audience, this song might actually work for you. Decent song for what it is; and that’s a sing-a-long for little girls everywhere.

11.) Smokin & Ridin feat. 0-1, Jodie Mack

Over very soothing West Coast production, Rule gives his listeners quite possibly the best track on the album. This song, while simple, works perfectly; and is clearly the way Rule should perform his hooks. Great track in every aspect, with Jodie and 0-1 playing a great supporting act.

12.) X feat. Missy Elliot, Tweet

Ja Rule loves extacy. If you’re not familiar with this accusation, just listen to any song that he has ever had on the radio, and you’ll see what I mean. While his last dedication to E (“Extacy” from “Rule 3:36”) featured great production featuring Jayo Felony, this followup is a major letdown. It’s almost like Ja doesn’t know how to properly work this slowed down instrumental. Tweet is the only upside to this track, and that’s definatley not saying much.

13.) Big Remo (Skit)

Bernie Mac shows up to talk for half a minute. Not worth the extra song slot at all. Skip it.

14.) Lost Little Girl

Looking at the title, you’d expect a Tupac inspired track, in the veins of “Baby Don’t Cry” or “Brenda’s Got A Baby”. This song, however, features Rule’s failed attempt at singing another below average chorus over a club beat; making the subject matter almost forgettable. Terrible attempt at a song with substance. Skip it it all costs.

15.) So Much Pain feat. 2Pac

This track recieved a lot of criticism. While in recent years it’s obvious Ja Rule was heavily influenced by Tupac Shakur, this was his earliest attempt at a collaboration with the deceased hip hop legend. Featuring the same beat as the original “Pain”, Ja ‘pays tribute’ to ‘Pac by twisting his first verse and re-rapping it himself. However, the remastered beat, and the addition of 2Pac at the end of the track, make for a suprisingly good track that has easily stood the test of time.

16.) Pain Is Love

Looking at the lyrics on paper, this song seems to be a deep song that Ja has put together. But as Rule has proved throughout the CD, his ability to deliver these songs are almost laughable. Over another bubblegum production, Ja’s singing and constant whining make for an underachieving track. Bad way to close out the album.

Bottom line, this album is a roller coaster ride through and through. The balance of songs is almost non existant, with the majority of the tracks catering to a very different audience Rule gained with “Venni Vetti Vicci”. And while this album did manage to go triple platinum (thanks to the countless number of pop singles), perhaps it was oversaturation like this that led to the bashing of Rule by the media not even a year later.

Overall Rating: 2.5/5

After his breakthrough hit “Holla Holla” the previous year, Ja Rule returned the following year with his critically acclaimed sophomore effort “Rule 3:36.” Stepping out of DMX’s shadow, Ja set his own mark with a number of radio friendly hits, while still incorporating the gangsta image that made him famous in the first place.

1.) Intro

Nothing more then that – an intro. This features Ja singing about wanting to kill himself, to relieve his pain. Not believable in the least, considering he’s making millions of dollars.

2.) Watching Me

This is the proper way to start the album. Over a pounding guitar fueled instrumental, Ja’s aggressive lyrics and demeanor make for a good track. And although the hook is mediocre at best, Ja’s delivery saves this one. Good song.

3.) Between Me & You feat. Christina Milian

Featuring a then unknown Christina Milian, this is Ja’s first real attempt at catering to the ladies, on the album. The song managed to cross over, and help the album sell millions, but the song itself lacks. Milian’s simple and repetitive chorus, and Ja’s constant yelling make for a lackluster track.

4.) Put It On Me feat. Vita

This song (the 2nd hit from the album) was a much better choice for a single. Ja’s now famous “What would I be without you?!”, and harmonizing hook works perfectly, with Vita offering up a very worthy guest spot. This is a song for the ladies through and through, and nobody does it better then Ja.

5.) 6 Feet Underground

Clearly one of the best tracks on the album, Ja returns to the street, after the last two songs, over this pounding instrumental. Detailing how his enemies want to see him ‘6 feet underground’, this track features a clever sample, and a flawless hook. Great track in every aspect.

6.) Love Me, Hate Me

More of a mellow track, this features Ja performing his own chorus, with subject matter very similar to that of the late Tupac Shakur. Production is very simple and Ja’s lyrical skill suffers a bit here, but his hook writing ability shines once again making for a slightly above average track.

7.) Die feat. Tah Murdah, Black Child, Dave Bing

Murder Inc.’s lesser known member show up for this remake of last year’s underground hit – “It’s Murda.” While Tah and Black Child’s verses are nothing special, Ja’s hook (“Everybody gonna die, but nobody want dead…It’s your lifeeeee!!!!!”) and verse alone make for a worthy track. Great, great track in every aspect, with Ja standing out more and more as a solo artist.

8.) ***** You feat. 0-1, Vita

After the last track’s near perfection, this song is a complete dissapointment. Very bland perfection, and Ja’s unessescary singing, followed by Vita’s lackluster hook, make for an underachieving track. Skip it.

9.) I’ll ***** U Girl (Skit)

This “skit” features Bernie Mac, and Ja Rule singing over what sounds like one of Uncle Luke’s booty-and-bass beats. Complete waste of time. Skip it at all costs.

10.) Grey Box (Skit)

A skit followed by a skit. That’s a first. Skip once again.

11.) Extacy feat. Tah Murdah, Black Child, Jayo Felony

Ja’s first (of many) dedications to his favorite drug – E. West Coast artist Jayo Felony makes a surprising cameo, over this bouncing production. Ja’s hook is once again on point, getting the album back on track after the last few songs. ‘The Murderers’ are the only dissapointment, as they once again try to sound too hard over this instrumental. However, this one of the album’s better tracks.

12.) It’s Your Life feat. Shade Sheist

While this Carribean flavored production is on point, and Shade Sheist’s verse flows perfectly; Ja unfortunatley doesn’t come through the way he could have. The hook is just under Ja’s potential, making for an average track at best.

13.) I Cry feat. Lil Mo

Another one of the album’s singles aimed at the ladies, this features Lil Mo. And while most will hate extremely hard, I’m going to go out on a limb, and say this is one of the album’s best tracks. Production is on point, as Ja flows perfectly, while Lil Mo soothes the chorus. Great track, that has stood the test of time.

14.) One Of Us

Although the concept of this song is original, the constant “One of us” in the background becomes a little repetitive. Questioning if God we’re ‘one of us’, Ja flows over this pounding production, with precision. Good track, and will surprise most listeners, who haven’t previously heard this song.

15.) Chris Black (Skit)

Another skit (this time clocking in at an unbelievable 3 minutes) features an incarcerated homie freestyling from the pen. Skip it.

16.) The Rule Won’t Die

At just over 2 minutes (shorter then the skit that preceded it), Ja explains why ‘the rule won’t die’. Production is on point, but Ja takes too long to start the track off, and therefore doesn’t have enough time to properly finish it. A somewhat dissapointing way to the end the album.

In conclusion, Ja’s sophomore album succeeds where his first one didn’t, in the fact that it attained commercial success. However, unlike his “Venni Vetti Vicci”, Ja sheds the thug image most of the time to appeal to his female audience. While it worked on this album, his future albums (“Pain Is Love”, “Last Temptation”) proved it was just a little overdone. So take “Rule 3:36” for what it is, and that is an entertaining album with a few great songs.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5