Ja Rule Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Ja Rule’s Net Worth?

An American rapper, singer, and actor, Ja Rule has amassed a net worth of $4 million. In the late 1990s, he rose to become one of the most popular rappers globally. His music saw significant success on the “Billboard” Hot 100 chart, featuring hits such as “Between Me and You,” “I’m Real,” and “Always on Time.” However, in subsequent years, he gained notoriety from his involvement in the infamous Fyre Festival fraud, leading to his business partner, Billy McFarland, being imprisoned.

Fyre Festival

In late April 2017, Ja Rule co-organized a music festival named “Fyre Festival” on a private island in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, the event turned into a massive fail. Attendees, some who had invested thousands in tickets, found themselves marooned on a trash-filled gravel lot with scant food and only FEMA disaster tents for lodging. By the time attendees arrived, most of the scheduled artists had withdrawn due to the festival’s dire conditions. Subsequently, on May 1, 2017, a festival-goer filed a $100 million class-action lawsuit against Ja Rule and his co-founder Billy McFarland. In 2019, it was determined that Ja Rule bore no responsibility for the debacle.

“Fast & Furious” Lost Payday

In 2001, Ja Rule made a notable cameo in “The Fast and the Furious,” portraying the trash-talking LA street racer “Edwin” for which he received $15,000. For the sequel, 2003’s “2 Fast 2 Furious,” director John Singleton hoped to bring Ja back as a leading character and intended to offer him $500,000. Unfortunately, Ja Rule ignored Singleton, failing to return his calls. Singleton even pursued Ja at a recording studio to discuss the opportunity but was met with another refusal. Consequently, Singleton turned to Ludacris, who took on the role of “Tej Parker.” This character became a fan favorite, with Ludacris reprising it across SEVEN installments of the franchise. Thus far, he has earned between $20-30 million from this role, with recent appearances netting him $5-8 million each time.

Early Life

Born Jeffrey Bruce Atkins on February 29, 1976, in Queens, New York, Ja Rule grew up in Hollis under the care of his parents, Debra and William Atkins. His grandparents, committed Jehovah’s Witnesses, extensively influenced him during his childhood as he often stayed with them while his parents worked. At 12, he departed from the faith and began engaging in drug dealing in Hollis. His small stature led to frequent school altercations. Although Ja Rule didn’t finish high school, he earned his GED in 2012.

Early Career

Ja Rule’s career commenced in 1994 as a member of the Cash Money Click group. Shortly thereafter, he adopted the stage name “Ja Rule.” The group produced several tracks independently, including their debut single “Get Tha Fortune” in 1994. They signed with TVT Records, but after just a year, they were dropped from the label and disbanded following the arrest and imprisonment of group member Chris Black.

Success

The song “Time to Build” by Mic Geronimo, featuring Jay-Z and DMX, marked Ja Rule’s initial solo appearance. Signing with Def Jam in 1998 led to his collaboration on the Jay-Z single “Can I Get A…” later that year. His debut album, titled “Venni Vetti Vecci,” was launched in 1999, reaching #1 on the “Billboard” 200 chart. The second and third albums both achieved 3x Platinum certification and topped the “Billboard” 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Released on November 19, 2002, his fourth album debuted at #4 on the “Billboard” Hot 100 and produced two successful singles. In 2003 and 2004, he released his fifth and sixth albums. Following the release of a sixth studio album and a greatest hits collection, Ja Rule ended his contract with Def Jam in 2005 and took a break until February 2011. During this time, he revealed he was working on a new album, “Pain is Love 2,” which came out a year later while he began serving a two-year prison sentence for tax evasion and gun possession. He was released in May 2013.

Upon his prison release, Ja Rule and Gotti established Murder Inc Records. Additionally, he published a memoir in 2014, titled “Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming a Man.” Shortly after, he announced his eighth studio album, but its release was postponed indefinitely.

In December 2016, Ja Rule contributed to “The Hamilton Mixtape,” rapping Alexander Hamilton’s verse in “Helpless,” a track performed by Ashanti. Ashanti confirmed in June 2018 that she was collaborating with Ja Rule on a new album.

Some of Ja Rule’s most popular singles are “Holla Holla,” “Between Me and You,” “I’m Real (Murder Remix),” “Ain’t It Funny,” “Always on Time,” “Mesmerize,” and “Wonderful.” Throughout his career, he has collaborated with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Christina Milian, Ashanti, and R. Kelly. In addition to his music career, Ja Rule is an accomplished actor, featuring in films like “The Fast and the Furious,” “Scary Movie 3,” and co-starring alongside Queen Latifah in the 2004 film “The Cookout.”

Business Ventures

In 2004, Ja Rule launched his own clothing line, named ErvinGeoffrey. He subsequently founded a liquor company called The Mojito in 2006.

In 2021, Ja Rule teamed up with software engineers to create Flipkick, a platform designed for selling physical artworks as non-fungible tokens. Reportedly, he auctioned a portrait of the Fyre Media logo for $122,000 via the platform.

Personal Life

Ja Rule is in a marital relationship with Aisha Murray and they share three children: Britney (b. 1995), Jeffrey (b. 2000), and Jordan (b. 2005).

In February 2021, he completed an online course at Harvard Business School, sharing his certificate of completion on Twitter.

Accolades

Ja Rule has received four Grammy nominations and won three Source Awards, one MTV Video Music Award, one World Music Award, one BET Award, one “GQ” Men of the Year Award, one Teen Choice Award, and an NAACP Image Award.

Legal Problems

AfterIn 2003, after punching a man in Toronto, Rule opted to settle a lawsuit outside of court. The following year, in 2004, he faced arrest for marijuana possession and for driving with a suspended license. By 2007, he found himself arrested again, this time on charges related to gun and drug possession. Ultimately, he spent nearly two years in federal prison due to gun possession and tax evasion. Reports indicated that he had failed to pay taxes on an income of $3 million accumulated between 2004 and 2006.

Feuds

Feuds have marked Ja Rule’s career, notably with 50 Cent and G-Unit Records, as well as with Eminem, Dr. Dre, Shady Records, Aftermath, Foxy Brown, and Lil’ Mo. The most highlighted feud was with 50 Cent, which began in 1999 following a video shoot in Queens, sparked by 50 Cent’s reported displeasure with Ja Rule receiving considerable acclaim from the Hollis community. An altercation in Atlanta involved the two where Ja Rule alleged to have struck 50 Cent with a baseball bat. Another notable incident in New York City saw rapper Black Child, one of Ja Rule’s artists under Murder Inc, stab 50 Cent, necessitating stitches. In May 2011, both rappers confirmed the cessation of their feud.