R.U.L.E. [Explicit Lyrics]

Ja Rule possesses one of the most recognizable voices in hip-hop, a resolute growl with plenty of inner fire, and the New York City rapper has used it to great effect since his debut in 1999. He's become the master of matching his borderline-reggae vocals with some of the best performers in the business. With his sixth record, R.U.L.E., he wisely dispenses with his barbs at 50 Cent, which dominated his previous effort, and gets back to focusing on what he does best--balancing gangsta rap with R&B.

Rule hits a high note early in the record on "Wonderful," a magnificent duet with another troubled soul, R. Kelly; here Kelly soars, and Ja Rule plays off of his singing to perfection. Ja Rule's loving street anthem "New York" boasts unforgettable beats, surprisingly reflective lyrics, and memorable turns from Fat Joe and Jadakiss. Of course, Rule performs ably on his own, particularly on the title cut and on the imperial nine-minute closing track, "Passion." On R.U.L.E., as always, Ja Rule is totally in command.