Ja Rule vs. DMX

THE RECORD

The moments

1. 1995

   Music industry

   “Time To Build” inspires a Murder Inc. supergroup idea

   Irv Gotti brings Ja Rule, Jay-Z, and DMX together on Mic Geronimo’s “Time To Build.” The chemistry inspires a proposed Murder Inc. group, but internal competition ends the idea before an album is made.

   ▶ Watch “Time To Build”
2. 1998

   Diss track · disputed account

   Style-copying accusations become a DMX warning shot

   As Ja Rule’s “Holla Holla” rises, DMX publicly argues that Ja Rule is borrowing his gruff delivery and dark aesthetic. “We Don’t Give A Fuck” becomes the era’s core subliminal; Irv Gotti later says he produced the record without realizing its target.

   “Ja Rule stole my whole identity.”DMX, public statement

   ▶ Listen to “We Don’t Give A Fuck”Read the receipt ↗
3. 2002

   Interview · disputed account

   Ja Rule frames the tension as envy at the VMAs

   Backstage at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, Ja Rule says he has never had a direct confrontation with DMX and frames DMX’s animosity as resentment over his crossover success. The verbal conflict remains unresolved.

   ▶ Read the VMA-era tension and later reconciliation
4. 2003

   Diss track

   “Go To Sleep” places DMX in the Shady–Murder Inc. war

   DMX joins Eminem and Obie Trice on “Go To Sleep,” a direct Shady/Aftermath broadside at Ja Rule and Irv Gotti. The song extends their dispute into the larger 50 Cent–Murder Inc. conflict.

   ▶ Watch “Go To Sleep”
5. 2009

   Reconciliation

   Hip Hop Honors turns years of tension into a public hug

   DMX later dismisses the conflict in an Ed Lover interview, then approaches Ja Rule at VH1 Hip Hop Honors in New York. Their hug and Ja Rule’s celebratory post make the reconciliation public.

   “Hip hop honors was a historic night ... me & x made up good night!!!”Ja Rule, 2009 post

   ▶ Read about the Hip Hop Honors reunion