Ja Rule - The Last Temptation

His inexplicable top-tier popularity notwithstanding, Ja Rule has developed into something of an oddity among today's pack of commercial rappers. Murder Inc.'s eager young cash cow is an MC whose ability to sound like 2Pac conflicts with his urge to sing like Donny Hathaway, and these two seemingly disparate influences firmly butt heads. Songs like the Ashanti-accented "Mesmerize" and the downtempo "Rock Star" showcase Ja's wobbly baritone croon, while "Thug Lovin'" (featuring the authentic thug crooner, Bobby Brown) and "Murder Me" display his patented hip-hop growl. In keeping with Murder Inc.'s domination of mainstream airwaves, the vibe here is strictly midtempo R&B, aside from the exceedingly shrill synth-and-drum-machine styling of the Neptunes-laced "Pop N****s" and the prefab grimness that permeates "The Warning." Young'uns mightn't notice, but the samples utilized on The Last Temptation, including Toto's "Africa" (on "Murder Reigns") and "Funky Sensation" (on the title track), are extremely unsubtle. Those who were raised on foundation hip-hop might do better to look elsewhere. --Rebecca Levine Amazon.com

Don't Be Tempted

Ja Rule is none other than a tool that basically rides on 2Pac's corpse, and when he's releasing whack albums like this all the time, you know there's a problem.

First off, Ja Rule has the worst voice in rap. He sounds like he has a bad case of strep throat, but it gets much worse when he attempts to sing. His rhymes are whack commercial trash that sells, and when he attacks others rappers, he just makes more of a fool out of himself.

And it's rather a shame that a talented MC like Nas had to guest star in one of his songs here. I mean, he uses Ashanti and Bobby Brown, isn't that enough to make his tripe sell?

The beats are lame and rehashed beyond belief as well.

Definitely one of the worst rap albums to come out in the 21st century, only to be paralleled with 50 Cent's "The Massacre" following three years later. March 29, 2008

Deliver us from Ja (1 and 1/2 stars)

Now for a review that isnt just a couple of sentences of an opinion and nothing about the album itself. Ja Rule gained attention with his first album which I'll admit that I enjoyed but when Rule 3:36 came, it left a bitter taste in the mouths of the fans of Veni Vetti Vecci. Once Pain Is Love came out, fans started to distance themselves from Ja(well the just male ones) and when this monstrosity of an album came out he was bashed across the board by everybody. Me personally, I'd listen to the average Pain Is Love over this album any day.

The Good: Connected is saved by former Deathrow Records artists Crooked I and Eastwood. The shots Ja Rule threw at 50 Cent and DMX were nothing short of pathetic. The Warning is okay and that is about all the positives I can think of for this album.

The Bad: Pop N***as is corny and you cant tell that the beat provided by The Neptunes is a throwaway(especially at a time when their production started to get redundant). The Last Temptation featuring Charli Baltiwhore is a failed club banger that would put a whole club to sleep. Tupac must be spinning in his grave at the way So Many Tears is butchered by Ja Rule and why Why WHY is Nas on this song? On the track, Ja takes a shot at Snoop but the song is so weak, you'll say SO WHAT! Destiny(outro) is weak but its the last song on the album and that's a plus.

The Ugly: Thug Lovin feat Doodoo Brown ooops my bad, Bobby Brown is really grating on the ears. The production is okay but Ja's lackluster rhymes and Bobby Brown's dated over the top singing make the track worser than it had to be. Mesmerize feat Ashanti is hands down the worst song on the album and is the worst song Ja ever made period. The track is too mushy for comfort and corny beyond belief plus the fact that the video was modeled afer the movie Grease is a good enough reason to call for Ja Rule's ousting out of the rap game. Who knew that years later his baby iguana faced archrival 50 Cent, would make a track that is equally as bad that is called Candy Slop. Go figure. Ja butchers Toto's Africa in Murder Reigns also feat Alexi and turns it into boring nonthreatening joint. More butchering would follow as Ja mutilates the Tony Toni Tone's classic Anniversary with a cheesy chick record called Murder Me also feat Cadllac Tah and Alexi. Dishonorable Mentions: Emerica and Rockstar.
Bottom Line: The Last Temptation is the worst album of Ja Rule's career. The production was rank, Ja's rhymes were weak and his singing was horrendous plus the guest appearances(with one exception) hurt the album more than help it. Even if you like Ja Rule dont buy it. Its not worth it. July 17, 2007

anything but tempting

This is one of the most pathetic attempts at music ive ever heard,every track is dire,no decent beats,no decent lyrics and no substance,avoid this joke of an emcee
December 11, 2006

Ja Rule is quite possibly the worst rapper ever

I can't believe we have to put up with rubbish like this pulloting rap. Ja Rule and his buddies Nelly, Chingy etc are killing it! Ja Rule is nothing but a black Justin Timberlake and a Tupac wannabe. He thinks Pac would role with him, that's a laugh. Ja, if Pac was still here you'd be in KFC. And so would your friends. Then people actually believe this guy when he talks about being gangsta and s***. He's fake, people are gonna realize this. Then 50 Cent is a better rapper than you are so stop thinking you can diss him. If your a Ja Rule fan than your a certified retard. October 10, 2006

50 cent and ja rule need to be deported from the planet

Why do you all still support this clown? Ja rule hasn't been hot since his first album. Then he let a clown just as wack as him crush his career. Ja rule is as commercial as they come and his lyrics display that. He is all about the money and not about making good music. This is a very poor release. It is just as wack as dem franchise boys and d4L. Jefferey needs to stop rapping and go rob a bank like steady b. June 9, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...