Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Video: Ja Rule Ready For Prison, "I Have Friends Doing Life"


By

Chris O'Shea

Published Jun 7, 2011

Modified Jun 7, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Chris O'Shea

Published Jun 7, 2011

Modified Jun 7, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Tomorrow Ja Rule will begin his two year prison sentence, but before that happens, he took a moment to discuss his thoughts on "Good Day New York" with co-hosts Rosanna Scotto and Greg Kelly.

The Hollis, Queens-born rapper is going to jail for a 2007 charge of attempted possession of a weapon. While one would think you either possess or do not possess a weapon, here's what happened: Police found a gun in Ja Rule's (or "Jarell," as Scotto likes to call him) vehicle after they had pulled him over, which prompted the arrest.

Rule told Scotto and Kelly that he felt prepared for prison because of his upbringing. "A lot of my friends have been in prison, you know, I have friends doing life," explained Rule. "It's kind of what you get groomed to, you kind of understand it more than the average person."

The rapper also stated that he regretted putting his family through the ordeal and admitted that he deserved to be charged, though he did say that he thought New York gun laws were excessive. Rule even got the chance to promote his upcoming album Pain is Love 2, the anticipated follow-up to his 2001 smash Pain is Love, which will surely delight all 37 of his fans.

The interview ended with Kelly, son of NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, awkwardly noting that prison is "a tough, horrible place," to which Rule quickly replied, "Oh, you've been Greg?" Ja Rule — still got it after all these years.

Ja Rule: MyFoxNY.com

Tagged

gun sentence

hiphop

ja rule

jail

Music

prison


Chris O'Shea

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain

Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.

By

Sonia Rao

Published Oct 23, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET


In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff

We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."

By

James Ramsay

Arts & Entertainment

In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff

We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."

By

James Ramsay


A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings

By

Hannah Frishberg

A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history

By

Sonia Rao

The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.

By

Sonia Rao


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .