Product Description

From the opening "The March Prelude", a ghostly, lugubriouscall-and-response number that references field recordings from the beginning of the century, one can tell that VENNI VETTI VECCI is not going to be a picnic in the woods. Slow, grinding beats and ominous horror-movie keyboard samples provide ballast for Ja Rule's raw-throated delivery as he kicks rhymes about the hardships of street-life and his own prowessas a street thug.
Considering the murder threats of "World's Most Dangerous" and the chilling narrative of "The Murderers", Ja Rule doesn't sound like the kind of guy you'd want mad at you. Such cuts as "Race Against Time" and "Only Begotten Son" show the rapper wrestling with existential questions and Christian themes. For the most part, however, there is little here to brighten the dark reality of inner city life. This is hardcore gangta rap of the rawest and most uncompromising nature.

Track Listing

1. The March Prelude
2. We Here Now
3. World's Most Dangerous - Ja Rule, Nemesis
4. Let's Ride
5. Holla Holla
6. Kill 'Em All - Ja Rule, Jay-Z
7. I Hate Nigguz (Skit)
8. Nigguz Theme
9. Suicide Freestyle - Ja Rule, Case
10. Story To Tell
11. Chris Black
12. Count On Your Nigga
13. It's Murda - Ja Rule, Jay-Z, DMX
14. E-Dub & Ja - Erick Sermon, Ja Rule
15. 187 Murda Baptiss Church (Skit)
16. M***a 4 Life - Ja Rule, Memphis Bleek
17. Daddy's Little Baby - Ja Rule, Ronald Isley
18. Race Against Time
19. Only Begotten Son
20. The Murderers - Ja Rule, Black Child, Caddillac Tah

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24219 in Music
• Released on: 2002-12-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Running time: 76 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Without DMX, there would be no Ja Rule. When the gravelly voiced Dark Ma n X bum-rushed the rap world, he paved the path for a whole slew of next-generation leathernecks with flows to match. That being said, Rule is a worthy adversary for his oft-maligned peer, managing to combine DMX's signature stuttery, acerbic flow with just a hint of Jay-Z's flash and wit. The production, handled largely by Irv Gotti, is trademark New York thug style, suiting Rule's grumbles to a T. Yet amid the tales of "murda" (and there are many), there are some moments of insurgent sunshine. "Race Against Time" is the thug's lament, no less potent for its obligatory nature. And on "Let's Ride", Rule winks at the ladies, telling them "My style is so touching, it'll wipe your eye". To boot, he prints his lyrics in the booklet, an all-too-rare phenomenon in rap. Caesar he ain't, but emperor for a day? Certainly. --Jon Caramanica

Customer Reviews

good 1st album
This album is all round OK. Some tracks are dope, like really dope. But the rest of the album is made up of the usual Ja Rule album filler songs. The lead single 'Holla Holla' is garbage. If your an actual fan of hip hop, you would know it is not worthy of more than 3 stars at all.

But i give Ja props, its more hardcore than his other stuff and his rhymes are deep. His flow is tight too.

good stuff
This is Ja's first album and step into the hip hop/rap community. Even though he was accused of ripping DMX's style this album is sharp, fun and laiden with good tracks such as 'Holla Holla' and 'Murder 4 Life' with more serious and heartfelt songs such as 'Daddy's Little Baby'. Overall a top album and something you can listen too for a long time!

JA Rule's best album by far
Ja best album before he went pop.
No really this was when Ja rule was rapping not singing like his recent albums.
the songs will grow on sure they are not as catchy as the ones he does with Ashanti for example.

My fav has to be race against time and lets ride.