bigted

Well the album's officially out now, I was reading on Wikipedia that it's #4 on Itunes so it's great to see people supporting great music for a change

I found this interview that he did for Allhiphop.com back a few months ago: Ja Rule: The Man In The Mirror July 31, 2009 By Ismael AbduSalaam Ja Rule is excited. For the past several years, the Inc lead artist has taken a back seat after dominating the early 2000s with a string of chart-topping hits. Now, Rule finds himself on the verge of releasing an official comeback LP this November. But first, he has a special treat for fans in The Mirror, the original studio album that has been leaked in various incarnations since 2007. Ja Rule is ready for a comeback, but are the fans ready for him? AllHipHop.com: Congratulations on finally getting The Mirror completed, I know you’ve been working on it for a minute. Ja Rule: Nah, The Mirror’s been done. We just had some issues with it, some leak issues. I ain’t that nigga to hit my fans with some s**t they heard. Even if two fans heard it, I’m not putting it out there for the public. So I went in and made a whole new album. The new album is crazy, but a lot of people didn’t hear Mirror. I’ve been getting hit on Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook with people asking about The Mirror. So I realized there are a lot of people who didn’t hear the s**t. So today they’ll get a taste of it. AllHipHop.com: So you’re the one leaking it? Ja Rule: Actually that’s not true. The album was leaked already. I don’t know how it got leaked. People could get it and hear it online. That f**ked up my whole project. But I just want people to hear the album who didn’t. AllHipHop.com: This is your first album in about 5 years. With the title, it alludes to facing the truth about yourself once you look in the mirror. What are the big truths you learned about yourself as Ja Rule the artist and man during this past half-decade? Ja Rule: It’s hard for the public to distinguish the truth. They get a persona that you portray or they see on screen, but that may not necessarily be the person that you are. Or they may only know you from the singles you drop and do videos for. A lot of fans don’t get to soak up the whole album. With The Mirror, I just wanted people to get an inside look to what it is like to be me and go through what an artist goes through period. AllHipHop.com: Not to make you feel old, but we’re right at the 10 year anniversary of Venni Vetti Vecci. Even amongst your biggest critics, that’s the album that many concede was executed well. For the fans who love that album, can they expect tracks like “Story To Tell” and “It’s Murda,” or will they get more “Mesmerize” and the other radio songs that took you to stardom? Ja Rule: The Mirror is really a compilation of complex and different records. They’re not all the same. I got records like “Father Forgive Me” on the album, and “Sing a Prayer For Me.” These records are completely different. I wanted people to feel those sides of me because I’m an artist that likes to grow with each project. That’s something that people don’t understand about artists. If you go to your job everyday and get bored at it sometimes, it’s the same thing with us, [especially] if you go in the studio and doing the same type of music year after year. You get bored and want to try something new and expand your horizons. When you hear “Father Forgive Me,” that’s me broadening my horizons and moving to something different. AllHipHop.com: Let’s go back to 2007 when you were first wrapping up this project. Were you getting a lot of resistance from Universal, since they were expecting those platinum hits, and you were now seeking to experiment? Was it a struggle getting them to see your vision? Ja Rule: It wasn’t really a fight. The situation just didn’t work, it wasn’t a marriage. Sometimes it’s like that. When you see a project do 5 or 10 million that was a project that had good chemistry all around it. Not just through the making of it, but after recording to the marketing and promoting of it. Those are special because everybody is in tune and wants the same thing. It wasn’t like that with The Mirror. I was new over there at Motown. They never got no money with me in the past. I was a Def Jam artist. There was poor communication on both ends. AllHipHop.com: We’re ending the first decade of the 2000s, and pretty much the R&B/Hip-Hop collaborations that people were slamming you for are making a resurgence like they normally do every few years. When you look at today’s scene, do you feel it validates you now that people are running or trying to run with the formula you perfected? Ja Rule: I said it in one of rhymes on Message to Mankind, “I gave birth to a style that’s way too common now/Niggas cocktailed my ****/Got it all watered down.” [laughs] That’s how I feel about it. Like autotune. That was T-Pain’s sound. And now everybody uses it, and Jay puts out “Death of Autotune.” Now, T-Pain might have a hard time coming back with his own sound, because so many people saturated and made it not the s**t. I like autotune and think its some fly s**t. Roger Troutman was the first and T-Pain made it his own thing. With me, I didn’t create melodic tunes. There were people doing melodic tunes before me, but I made it my s**t. And that’s the difference. When I want to kick it up a notch and do something y’all can’t do, I do this. We can all go in the booth and spit and go hard at each other. We used to do that all day. Me and X used to go to different spots and battle rhyme. DMX was a battle rhymer back in the day. And with Cash Money Click we would go to video shoots and battle rappers, that’s what it was. It’s nothing for an artist to go in the booth and spit it. I can do that and rock with anybody. But that melodic s**t? I did it in a way that no one else could do or even wanted to try. For me that was my special **** that separated me from other artists. AllHipHop.com: I’m sure you used your time away to enjoy your family, and also grow as a human being. So looking at Hip-Hop, do you feel it’s grown with you, or has regressed from where you left it? Ja Rule: Hip-Hop changes every few years. I remember a time when dancing was the s**t in Hip-Hop when I was younger: from the cabbage patch, the wop, pee wee herman, the Biz Mark, we had a gang of songs and dance records! And it was cool for us to do that. Now I’m 33, and you sound about in my age bracket and that era, and you know Hip-Hop has always been a youthful thing. [The dances] are for the kids to enjoy and have fun. But Hip-Hop is such a big business now, and we grew up with the music. So now you have fans of all ages. That’s why artists like myself, Jay, and Kanye can come up and still sell records because it grows. I listen to Hip-Hop and I’m 33. My kids listen to it. They’re going to grow up and I’m going to get older still listening to Hip-Hop. Then their kids will come up listening to it. So Hip-hop will keep getting bigger as long as we keep putting out good music. AllHipHop.com: Looking at R.U.L.E. that contained one of the last high-profile NY collaborations to go national in “New York.” Where do see NY Hip-Hop now in terms of quality? Ja Rule: [Pauses] Y’know, I don’t like to categorize it like that. I feel we’re all Hip-Hop. It’s not music, it’s a state of mind and way of living. It’s the clothes, attitude, walk, and everything that we do. We are different from society, and I don’t want to generalize from region to region. We all made Hip-Hop, and grew up loving it. It’s not like any other form of music. Other genres don’t categorize their s**t by region to region, it’s all one thing. I feel we should really stop the divide and conquer s**t they try to throw at us. We’re all Hip-Hop. AllHipHop.com: The “Uh-Oh” joint with Wayne was right as he started building the superstar momentum that has manifested today. Did you foresee him becoming as big as he is? Ja Rule: Weezy was doing what he wanted to do. You have to do the music that you feel in your heart, because that’s what the people will feel. When it’s coming from there, the people respond. He really put in a lot of work on the underground circuit, mixtapes, and he pleased the people. He loved Hip-Hop. He didn’t do it for the money. For about two years straight he said “this is for the people and the fans.” And that’s why he received the love and the rewards. It was a f**king small flame that blew into a fire. He deserved it and worked hard for it. AllHipHop.com: You have a new label imprint with Empire Records. Are you looking to create a distinct brand away from the Inc or just build onto that movement? Ja Rule: We made history with Murder Inc. It’s incredible to look back at it. But Empire is my movement. [irv] Gotti is my brother who I love to death, and is supporting me. I guess if you merge the two you have the Inc Empire. [laughs] It is two separate things but still one thing. AllHipHop.com: You did some venting about DMX and Ashanti on the track “Judas,” regarding some of the past issues you had with the moves they’ve made. Is all that done now, or are there any other past transgressions you needed to let out on The Mirror? Ja Rule: Nah, I didn’t want anyone to look at The Mirror as a diss album. That was a song I felt I had to get off my chest. When I have thoughts I have to get them out my head through song. “Judas” was just a real record I felt I needed to make. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings; I love everyone that was supposedly talked about on that record. I have no problems with anyone. AllHipHop.com: I remember hearing you speak of the 2002-2003 period as a time when the public just threw you on the “hate train” for no reason. When you look back at that period, do you think there’s anything you could’ve done differently to stop it, or do you feel it was a just an inevitable freight train? Ja Rule: The fans don’t get a chance to understand the ins and outs of how things work. I don’t think they’re privy to inside information on the underhanded s**t that goes on in this industry. They only get to see what is printed, and perception is reality. That situation and everything around that period in my career didn’t make sense. It didn’t add up. 2+2=8. [laughs] I look at it now and laugh. I’m happy I can because you have to make light of situations like that or you’ll drive yourself crazy. I know how we move and it’s just a funny situation, one of those things you deal with in life. God sends you a test, and you have to pull through and show you’re a strong dude. That takes a lot for a nigga to stand up and walk through fire when people are throwing stones. AllHipHop.com: Best case scenario for The Mirror, do you want to recapture that superstar status you had before? After experiencing how quickly people can tear you down, is that a reality you still strive for? Or is having the love of your diehard fans enough? Ja Rule: I have an uncanny love out there. There’s diehard Ja Rule fans out there, and those that really hate me. But when I look at the reasons people don’t like me, it never really resonates. They’re usually frivolous reasons, never about hating the music. I’m not concerned with that. I’m concerned with those who understand what goes on in the music business and what happened with all the s**t I’ve been through. People like comeback stories, to see someone be on top, fall, and come back to glory. That’s the American story. A lot of people are rooting for me to do that with my situation and my new label. I’m getting a lot of love and good feedback. I’ve been all over the world. I’ve been touring for about four years now overseas and it’s crazy. People want to see me win and I don’t want to let them down. I want to put out that music that people will enjoy. The Mirror is a present for them to enjoy. They’ll get a chance to enjoy it in its entirety. And it’s free, you don’t have to pay s**t for it. I’ll have a mixtape soon and then my new album. I feel it is my time to hit off Hip-Hop. On The Mirror I didn’t do too many guests. I have Weezy, Game, and a lot of new artists who did their thing. It’s just a great album. And I got production from my man Erick Sermon and Chink Santana. AllHipHop.com: What’s the early word on that new album? Ja Rule: New album coming real soon, looking to drop around October or November. I worked really hard for the fans. Look out for my new label Empire Records and all my new artists. I don’t have a title yet. I may do a little contest to get the fans to give some ideas. I’m tittering with it every day. AllHipHop.com: I’m sure today the fans who haven’t heard The Mirror will be eager to give it a listen. Ja Rule: Yeah man, but I’m not trying to get in any trouble with Universal [laughs]. The album was already leaked don’t sue me! It’s all love, and it’s getting real crazy. I got a lot of people backing me and it’s feeling good, my nigga.

That's classic Jazzy right there, haha...

Jazzy Jeff & Twone Gabz "Hip Hop"

I remember at the end of last season Iverson was activated off the injured list and the Pistons were expecting to place him on their postseason roster for the series against the Cavs but they told him he'd come off the bench in the series so what he did was he went home instead of playing, that really surprised me that he did that 'cause when it comes to playoffs over the years you'd have to rip his arm off before he wouldn't play, all those great years with the 76ers, he couldn't get 'em over the hump though but he always gave his best, a true warrior... I believe him bailing out on the Pistons when they needed him is the reason why a lot of the contenders didn't want to sign him in the offseason, now he's out the league and he probably won't get signed anywhere else since he quit on the Grizzlies as well, sure they're a bad team but if he gave his best coming off the bench a good team might want to trade for him before the playoffs start but that plan's over now, it's a sad way to end his career, ultimately I think his ego's gonna hurt his chances at the hall of fame.... I don't personally agree with his statement in an interview that no great basketball players have ever come off the bench either, even the GOAT Michael Jordan came off the bench for a few games when he played with the Wizards, Patrick Ewing came off the bench with the Magic, Magic Johnson came off the bench for the Lakers when he came out of retirement, I could go on and on, he needs to except the fact that he's not as great as he once was but he can still help a team if he chooses to....

2Pac "I Ain't Mad At Ya"

Awesome find!!

Boyz II Men "Doin' Just Fine"

JJFP "The Girlie Had A Mustache"

Grizzlies, Iverson part ways after only 3 games 2 hours, 7 minutes ago * Buzz up! * Print MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)—The Allen Iverson(notes) experiment with the Memphis Grizzlies is over. Memphis announced Monday that the team has ended its one-year contract with the 10-time All-Star and former league MVP in what it called a mutual agreement. Iverson began an indefinite leave of absence on Nov. 7 to deal with a personal issue after playing only three games with the Grizzlies, all in California. “Because of personal matters that forced him to leave the team on November 7, Allen will step away from the game at this time, allowing him to focus on those matters,” general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement. “As a result, we will be ending our contractual agreement with Allen, which will allow both parties to move forward. We wish Allen the best.” Related Coverage * Play Fantasy Basketball '09 FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2009, file photo, Memphis Grizzlies' Allen Iverson(notes) brings the ball upcourt against the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles. The Grizzlies announced Monday, Nov. 16, in a statement that the team has ended its one-year contract with the 10-time All-Star and former league MVP in what it called a mutual agreement. FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2009, f… AP - Nov 16, 5:46 pm EST * NBA Gallery The Grizzlies will waive Iverson but the team had not done that as of Monday night. Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press on his cell phone. Iverson, who announced he was headed to Memphis on his Twitter account, hasn’t posted any updates there since Nov. 2 when he played his first game with the Grizzlies. Memphis owner Michael Heisley told the AP last week he would be happy to trade Iverson to another team if a better deal came along. Few NBA teams had shown interest in the 34-year-old guard before Memphis signed him to a one-year, incentive-laden contract on Sept. 10. Memphis fans greeted the biggest star ever to play for the Grizzlies with a big crowd for his introductory news conference and eagerly bought up his No. 3 jersey, though he wound up never playing a game on the team’s home court. Iverson didn’t help himself much during his short stint with his fourth NBA team. He missed the preseason with a partially torn left hamstring and didn’t debut with the Grizzlies until Nov. 2 at Sacramento. Immediately, Iverson began talking about his distaste for coming off the bench and being on a rebuilding team filled with youth from Rudy Gay(notes) and O.J. Mayo(notes) to recent draft picks Hasheem Thabeet(notes) and DeMarre Carroll(notes). The four-time NBA scoring champ became the 16th player in league history to score 24,000 points in his career in his second game against Golden State. He played against the Lakers in Los Angeles, where he also met with Heisley before being given permission to take an indefinite leave. But the Grizzlies got tired of waiting for Iverson to decide what to do next. They signed point guard Jamaal Tinsley(notes) on Saturday for some much-needed help with the Grizzlies struggling at 2-8 this season.

My current favorite TV shows are probably SpongeBob Squarepants, The Simpsons, Dancing With The Stars, and Brothers, other than that I watch a lot of sports, some movies, and I like to watch religious programs like AJ does(In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley, Joel Osteen, and Changing your world with Creflo Dollar are my favorites)

Congrats potna!

MC Shan "Down By Law"

Nas "Breathe"

Busta Rhymes "NY S***"

LeBron wants to switch numbers as Jordan tribute Nov 13, 2:33 pm EST CLEVELAND (AP)—LeBron James(notes) wants NBA players to give up their No. 23s to honor Michael Jordan. The Cavaliers superstar, who has worn 23 since he was a high school sophomore, believes players should pay tribute to Jordan for the Hall of Famer’s impact on the game. FILE - IN this Nov. 18, 2008, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James(notes) throws chalk dust into the air before playing in an NBA basketball game against the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford, N.J. James wants NBA players to give up their No. 23s to honor of Michael Jordan. The Cavaliers superstar, who has worn 23 since he was a high school sophomore, says players should pay tribute to Jordan for the Hall of Famer's long-lasting impact on the game. FILE - IN this Nov. 18, 2008, … AP - Nov 13, 12:47 pm EST * NBA Gallery “I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized in some way—soon,” James said. “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant(notes), no Dwyane Wade(notes), you name all the best players in the league right now and the last 10 years, there would be none of us without Michael Jordan.” James made the comments following the Cavs’ win in Miami on Thursday night. The news was first reported by The Plain Dealer. James said he has been considering the change for some time. He’s willing to switch to No. 6—his U.S. Olympic team number—and wants to start a petition to get every player in the league wearing 23 to give up the number. “It’s time,” James said. “He’s the best basketball player we’ve ever seen. Mike does it on the court and off the court. If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan. You see guys flying through the air, you think about Michael Jordan. You see game-winning shots, you think about Michael Jordan. You see fly kicks, you think about Michael Jordan. He did so much, it has to be recognized, and not just by putting him in the Hall of Fame.” Jordan sat courtside on Thursday when James scored 34 points to lead the Cavs to their sixth win in seven games. “He can’t get the logo, and if he can’t, something has to be done,” James said, referring to the NBA logo that’s modeled on a silhouette of Jerry West. “I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. Nobody. If I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.” James must formally notify the NBA by early March if he plans to change numbers. He has not done so yet. Players generally must wear a number five years before they can apply to switch. The reigning MVP frequently wears No. 6 as a practice jersey with the Cavaliers. He wears that number because his second-favorite player is Julius “Dr. J” Erving and it holds other special meaning. “I wore 32 back in high school because Dr. J wore it at first,” he said. “My first child was born on Oct. 6, my second child was born in June. If I’m not going to wear 23, I’m going to wear 6.”

What up WWW, good to see ya back!! Biggie "The Warning"

The Game "Big Dreams"

MC Hammer "Pump It Up"(Here's The News)

LL Cool J "Throw Ya L's Up", "23's in the building, watch my tongue hang out"

Yeah why are JJFP too old to make music and touring when we have the Rolling Stones still touring and making music right now? As long as they're both living there's still a chance.... Honestly with the deaths in recent years to the great artists like James Brown and Michael Jackson I hope it becomes a wakeup call for Will that he better make some music while he still has the chance...

James Brown "Turn It Loose"

Any update? Are we gonna draft soon?

Rakim sounds like he's paid in full again

It was interesting how much doubt there was about how Will could come back with a hit album after being away all those years filming before "Big Willie Style" dropped and it turned out to be one of the most popular albums ever, great find Tim