Unruly - by Ja Rule (Paperback)

About the Book

Ja Rule, actor, singer, songwriter, and one of the most multi-dimensional rap artists of his time, tells his compelling story from his youth to his rise to international fame to his transformative two years in Federal prison and reveals the man beneath the legend.

Unruly is two stories that offer one complete picture of a man and his world: the angry, fatherless rapper, Ja Rule who was raised by the streets; and Jeffrey Atkins, the insightful, reflective father and loyal husband who learned the hard way how to be a good man.

Filled with never-before-revealed anecdotes and sixteen pages of black-and-white photos, Unruly shows the determination that it takes to become a man in today s society. Ja Rule considers the lack of role models for many young black men today a void that leads to bad choices and the wrong paths. Recalling his youth, he illuminates the seductive pull of the streets and the drug dealers who were his earliest role models.

Jeffrey Atkins offers practical wisdom reflection, growth and hope learned first-hand as an inmate, father, husband, and community role model. He speaks fondly of men who inspired Unruly the inmates he met in prison whose misguided ideas of masculinity landed them behind bars and Louis Farrakhan who mediated the televised encounter with Ja Rule s adversary, 50 Cent.

Unruly is a compelling, personal look at the duality and conflicts that arise in the African-American male psyche from a man who has enjoyed breathtaking fame and suffered heartbreaking misfortune."

Book Synopsis

Ja Rule, actor, singer, songwriter, and one of the most multi-dimensional rap artists of his time, tells his compelling story--from his youth to his rise to international fame to his transformative two years in Federal prison--and reveals the man beneath the legend.

Unruly is two stories that offer one complete picture of a man and his world: the angry, fatherless rapper, Ja Rule who was "raised by the streets"; and Jeffrey Atkins, the insightful, reflective father and loyal husband who learned the hard way how to be a good man.

Filled with never-before-revealed anecdotes and sixteen pages of black-and-white photos, Unruly shows the determination that it takes to become a man in today's society. Ja Rule considers the lack of role models for many young black men today--a void that leads to bad choices and the wrong paths. Recalling his youth, he illuminates the seductive pull of the streets and the drug dealers who were his earliest role models.

Jeffrey Atkins offers practical wisdom--reflection, growth and hope learned first-hand as an inmate, father, husband, and community role model. He speaks fondly of men who inspired Unruly--the inmates he met in prison whose misguided ideas of masculinity landed them behind bars--and Louis Farrakhan who mediated the televised encounter with Ja Rule's adversary, 50 Cent.

Unruly is a compelling, personal look at the duality and conflicts that arise in the African-American male psyche from a man who has enjoyed breathtaking fame and suffered heartbreaking misfortune.

From the Back Cover

Ja Rule
International Platinum Recording Star

Ja Rule has sold 30 million records worldwide. His unwavering talent has relentlessly captured our attention with his addictive beats, clever lyrics and his undeniable presence. Ja Rule has been performing for over a decade to audiences that can't get enough of his distinctively raw sound. His triumphs have brought him undreamed-of success and celebrity; his tribulations have visited upon him notoriety and unforgiving media attention. But who is Ja Rule?

Multiple-Award-Winning Artist

Unruly reveals the real man behind the persona that dominates the stage and emerges from his music. In this emotive page-turner, we get to know who lives behind the performer. Ja Rule, honestly and unapologetically, delves into the pain of being a fatherless child, raised by a single mother, and eventually growing to fulfill his dreams of becoming an iconic figure in hip-hop and beyond. He shares his humble and bold reflections, which are meant to be proof for young people everywhere that if you can see it, you can be it. And he speaks with brutal candor of his own staggering mistakes, including gun possession, senseless violence, drug dealing, petty theft, substances and alcohol, and, ultimately, landing behind bars.

Hip-Hop Impresario

Unruly is riveting and humorous--as Ja Rule shares stories close to his heart: losing his virginity in a stairwell landing, falling head over heels in love with his junior high school sweetheart and going on to make her his wife and the mother of his children--and refreshing and surprising, with rich stories ranging from renting $30,000-a-month mansions, to scrubbing his own prison cell, to traveling the world, becoming enriched by foreign cultures and sounds.

Husband, Father, Son

This intimate book is a collection of powerful memories and lessons, reflecting a certain vulnerability that can only be interpreted as inner strength. Here we see Ja Rule for the sensitive, loving person that he has become. Unruly shows that the souls of young urban men are often unseen. Here is a truly revolutionary effort from a gifted, passionate artist.

Review Quotes

"I've known Ja for years, and yet reading this book made me feel like I was meeting a new man. His struggles have been many, but he's come out stronger for them. Unruly is a remarkable look at someone I consider a dear friend." -- Queen Latifah

"It takes a big man to share his entire life, inside and out, and especially the things he's not proud of. I've known Ja forever and I've always seen his greatness, but Unruly is truly special." -- Irv Gotti

"I am so impressed that Ja is willing to share [his] pain with the world in the hope of preventing others from making the same mistakes. This is a book of raw wisdom and hope." -- Russell Simmons

"Ja Rule's candid, unvarnished view of guns, drugs, depression, fame, lust, love, and family makes this a remarkable memoir and a worthy read." -- Publishers Weekly