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Ja Rule

Date: Mar 18 2002

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Rapper Ja Rule is one of the most popular performers in the U.S. He currently has two songs at the top of the charts: “Ain’t It Funny” with Jennifer Lopez and “Always On Time” with Ashanti. It’s very uncommon for one person to have two songs that are so popular at the same time, but this is the second time Ja has done it. Last summer, two other songs he sings were being listened to by millions of people.
So, what makes Ja Rule so special? Read on to find out…

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Ja Rule’s real name is Jeff Atkins. He’s a 26 year-old rapper from New York. What makes him different than the other rappers out there is his extremely deep and gruff voice. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that he’s not hurting his throat by rapping the way he does, because it sounds so rough. The songs Ja sings with female singers like Jennifer Lopez are especially good because the deep sound of his voice contrasts with the soft sound of theirs.
In addition to his unique voice, Ja Rule is also a great performer because he writes great songs. His lyrics have an interesting mix of hardcore attitude and soft sensitivity. Sometimes he’ll rap about how strong and tough he his, but then in another song the subject will be his love for his daughter.
Check out some of the lyrics to his song “Always on Time.”
Girl, get a grip, c’mon, pull it together
It’s only a sunshower,
we been through worse weather
Like the stormy nights you wrote a “Dear Ja” letter
And took my Benz and keyed and cut the leather
Truth or dare, this life ain’t apparently fair
And a love with no glare is a crystal stare
But we share something so rare,
but who cares, you care

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Discussion

I really like Ja Rule. He’s my favorite rapper right now. Tupac Shakur used to be my favorite, but he was killed several years ago. I liked Tupac because he was able to write songs about many subjects. Some songs were filled with anger, others with love. Ja is the same way. He can rap about many different topics, and all the songs sound good.
Have you heard Ja Rule? Do you like the sound of his voice? Do you like rap music? Come to the Music Mix message board and let us know!
Rock on,
Migs