The Last Temptation (Ja Rule album)

The Last Temptation
Studio album by Ja Rule
Released November 19, 2002
Recorded 2001–2002
Genre Hip hop, East coast hip hop
Length 54:46
Label Murder Inc., Def Jam
Producer Irv Gotti, 7 Aurelius, Chink Santana, The Neptunes, Cool & Dre
Ja Rule chronology

Pain Is Love
(2001)		 The Last Temptation
(2002)		 Blood in My Eye
(2003)
Singles from The Last Temptation
  1. "Thug Lovin'"
    Released: September 24, 2002
  2. "Mesmerize"
    Released: December 16, 2002
  3. "The Reign"
    Released: 2003
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Blender [2]
RapReviews (6/10)[3]
NME (6/10)[4]
MVRemix Urban (3.5/10)[5]

The Last Temptation is the fourth studio album by Ja Rule.[6]

This album contained singles such as "Thug Lovin'" (featuring Bobby Brown), "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti) and "The Pledge (Remix)" (by Ashanti featuring Nas, Ja Rule and 2Pac). "Murder Reigns" was also released as a single titled "Reign" in select territories outside of North America, such as Europe and Australasia. The song "Pop Niggas" gained some attention after it was reported to be talking in part about 50 Cent. Pharrell was featured in the song, but not credited. Other guests featured on the album include: Bobby Brown, Ashanti, Nas, Alexi, Charli Baltimore, 2Pac, Caddillac Tah, Celeste Scalone, Eastwood, Crooked I, Young Life & Chink Santana.

The album was successful, moving 237,000 units in its first week,[7] but less than his previous Pain Is Love. "Mesmerize" is ranked at #45 on Blender's list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever",[8] but was the most successful single from the album, reaching number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also criticized by fans, saying that the album sounded too commercial, and that Ja Rule was selling out; in addition, many of Ja Rule's enemies such as Daz Dillinger, Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, G-Unit, Obie Trice, D12, Busta Rhymes,and DMX said that Ja Rule was trying to be just like Tupac Shakur, which fueled the rivalry even more. Though it did not manage to surpass Pain Is Love, The Last Temptation is Ja Rule's third most popular album to date.

The album was released in a censored version as well which removes most profanity. However, sex-related lyrics like "gettin' head" and violent lyrics like "murder" are left in.

Track listing

No. TitleProducer(s) Length
1. "Intro"    0:20
2. "Thug Lovin'" (featuring Bobby Brown)Chink Santana, Irv Gotti 4:50
3. "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti)Chink Santana, Irv Gotti 4:38
4. "Pop Niggas"  The Neptunes 4:29
5. "The Pledge (Remix)" (featuring Ashanti, Nas & 2Pac)7 Aurelius, Irv Gotti 3:54
6. "Murder Reigns" (featuring Celeste Scalone)7 Aurelius, Irv Gotti 4:03
7. "Last Temptation" (featuring Charli Baltimore)Chink Santana, Irv Gotti 4:58
8. "Murder Me" (featuring Cadillac Tah & Alexi)Chink Santana, Irv Gotti 5:15
9. "The Warning"  Chink Santana, Irv Gotti 5:05
10. "Connected" (featuring Eastwood & Crooked I)Chink Santana, Irv Gotti 4:54
11. "Emerica" (featuring Chink Santana & Young Life)Chink Santana, Irv Gotti 5:16
12. "Rock Star"  Chink Santana, Irv Gotti 4:58
13. "Destiny (Outro)"  Cool & Dre 2:05

Samples

Chart positions

Chart (2002) Peak
position
UK Albums Chart 14
U.S. Billboard 200 4
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 1

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ Blender review
  3. ↑ RapReviews review
  4. ↑ NME review
  5. ↑ MVRemix Urban review
  6. ↑ "The Last Temptation: Ja Rule: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  7. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2003-12-06). "Ja Rule Done Lashing Out At 50, Will Be Himself Again On New LP - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  8. ↑ "The 50 Worst Songs Ever! Watch, Listen and Cringe!". Blender. Retrieved 2010-09-13.