Ja Rule Album: “Pain Is Love [Australia Bonus Tracks]”

Ja Rule has changed a lot since his first album, Venni Vetti Vecci. It was real rap - no singing or pop songs. "Holla Holla" was the song that got me into Ja Rule. After that, Ja released Rule 3:36. I could tell he was getting more "pop" on this album. It didn't have the gangsta beats that Venni Vetti Vecci features. On Pain Is Love, he comes out with an even more pop-strung CD. This CD is meant for mainstream. Some songs, such as "Never Again," are ruined by Ja singing. "Pain Is Love" ft. 2pac is a remake of the "Pain" song on the Above the Rim Soundtrack. Ja Rule tries to rap like 2pac, and he does a decent job of it, but let me tell you, he is no 2pac. This song is still very good, though. "Dial M for Murder" is another great track. It is a hardcore track with a good beat. Besides for these songs and the collaborations with the Murderers, this CD is meant for mainstream. Well, I guess it sells. =( If you like pop rap, then buy this, but if you like gangsta rap, buy Ja's first CD, Venni Vetti Vecci, and stay away from this CD.

At it's best, rap can scour your cranium with red-hot lyrics and blistering beats. It can raise political awareness, yet also provide the perfect soundtrack for a night out. Some artists are able to handle this dichotomy; 2Pac is a perfect example. He was able to speak eloquently about social deterioration ("Keep Ya Head Up," "To Live and Die in LA") , while bragging about his sexual prowess ("I Get Around") and violent lifestyle ("California Love").

<> is truly the lowest rap can go. Not content with perpetuating black gangsta stereotypes (the cleverly titled "Dial M for Murder"), or giving us perhaps the worst Stevie Wonder rip-off since "Gangsta's Paradise" (the absolutely mindless "Livin' It Up"), Ja Rule must also subject us to some of the degenerate singing imaginable (the beauty/beast 'duet' of "I'm Real). From it's start (how many more Prince Paul-style skits do we need?) to its end (an attempt at redemption that rings hollow in light of statements elsewhere on the album), <> highlights the decline of what used to be a potent and relevant art form.

Like all other American creative art, rap has been put on the assembly line, packaged, and commercialised. The media has long known the profitability of perpetuating stereotypes, so why would they stop here?

Ok, this is a pretty good album for those who aren't allowed to buy the explicit content one. You can still enjoy songs with words being blocked out.

Ok lets see... I bought this CD for my girlfriend cuz she loves radio and chart music... I recorded it for myself before giving it to her... =)

My conclusion about this album is that although there are a couple of listenable songs on it and this is because of one main reason. The beats... Ja Rules rap is nothing spectacular and I could honest to god pull better raps out of (explicit)...

DMX, who on his diss to Ja Rule called 'Do you' explains that he wouldn't have got big without DMX and now that he thinks he's all hot (explicit), he dumps everyone he needed.

He's a pansy no talent rapper who can't sing OR rap if his life depended on it. I'd like to even SEE him try to freestyle, it would be good for a laugh. What do you mean do better than this? It's not like he even did any of the producing, he's a stupid rapper who can barely rhyme and people eat it up becuase of the stupid duets he does (mace, J.Lo, Ashanti), i mean, can the guy even hold up a song on his own? well, he sure does try, but he fails consistantly on this shameful album. Ja Rule is doing to rap what Limp Bizkit has already done to Nu Metal. I can't believe this cd was just certified 3x platinum. How dumb ARE people?...

I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of Ja Rule, but I respect the fact that he's not afraid to admit to doing a pop song(unlike 50 Cent). "Pain Is Love" is my favorite album of Ja's. Here's my rating of the tracks:

Intro

"Livin It Up"- A decent pop song. It's listenable.

"The Inc"- A good thug song with Cadillac Tah and other Murda Inc. rappers.

"Always On Time"- Another pop song, but it is catchy for awhile.

"Down A** B*tch"- One of my favorite songs because I like Charli Baltimore and this song has her and a nice beat.

"Never Again"- Not one of my favorite songs, but it's aight.

"Worldwide Gangsta"- Pretty good song, but not one of my favorites.

Leo(skit)- A funny parody of Miss Cleo.

"I'm Real"- Another pop song but Ja and JLo work good together

"Smokin and Ridin"- Another one of my favorites. Nice beat, nice verses, tight chorus.

"X"- Probably the song I dislike the most on this album.

Big Remo(skit)- Another skit. It is a lil funny though.

"Lost Little Girl"- Sounds like it's supposed to resemble 2Pac's "Brenda's Got A Baby", but it's still good.

"So Much Pain"- My favorite song, even though it's a remake. 2Pac is my favorite rapper and Ja was smart for adding this song on his album.

"Pain Is Love"- An okay song to leave the album.

Overall the album is flawed, but it's Ja Rule what do you expect.