On his second album,
Rule 3:36
,
Ja Rule
includes a few radio-friendly rap-R&B hybrids (
"Between You and Me,"
"Put It on Me,"
"I Cry"
), which are then filled out with the same style of
Ruff Ryder
-style hardcore rap that characterized his debut album,
Venni Vetti Vecci
(1999). Whereas that album had featured some prominent guests from the
Def Jam
stable (
Jay-Z
DMX
Erick Sermon
Memphis Bleek
),
is primarily an in-house affair, featuring the extended
Murder Inc.
roster. The result is an uneven album comprised of crossover-R&B singles and hardcore rap filler; even though the commercial prospects are improved,
isn't any more satisfying than
had been. ~ Jason Birchmeier