“For a long time, my wife, she thought I was going to be a boxer, because I boxed and I’d come home every night with my hands wrapped,” he said.
His transition into music surprised some of the people closest to him, he explained, because much of his creative work happened privately.
“Me as an artist, I’m kind of like a recluse. I kind of like going to my own little world and get into these small pockets and create,” he said.
“I was always building and creating in my little space,” he added. “So it kind of took people by surprise when I jumped out and started doing this professionally.”
His comments offered a glimpse into the creative process behind a career that has spanned multiple decades, from his early ambitions in boxing to becoming an internationally recognized recording artist.
Ja Rule’s Message to Israeli Fans: Fun, Peace and Love
With his first Israeli performance approaching, Ja Rule said he hopes the audience leaves the concert with a sense of enjoyment and connection.
“Fun, peace and love. That’s what entertainment is for,” he said.
He explained that live performances give people an opportunity to step away from the challenges of everyday life and share an experience through music.
“To bring fun and entertainment to the people and let them enjoy whatever they’re going through in real life,” he said. “They get to unleash and unload that when they come to see certain artists perform, and they bring that energy.”
The rapper had only just arrived in Israel and had not yet had much time to explore the country. His immediate plans included trying local food and potentially visiting the Mediterranean coast before the concert.
“My first thing that I’m going to try to enjoy is a nice meal here and see what the food is like. This is my first time here,” he said.
He also expressed interest in visiting the beach.
“I wish I could go out on the beach and feel it and touch it,” he said. “I may do that tomorrow before the show.”
A First Israeli Performance
For Ja Rule, Thursday night’s concert marks his first opportunity to perform for Israeli audiences in person. For local fans, it is a chance to hear live some of the songs that helped define an era of hip-hop and R&B.
The artist’s message ahead of the show was straightforward: music can bring people together for a shared experience, regardless of what they may be facing outside the concert venue.
Ja Rule performs Thursday, October 29, at Hangar 11 at Tel Aviv Port. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the concert begins at 8:30 p.m.
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