Jeffrey Atkins (born February 29 1976), better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper and actor signed to The Inc. and Universal Records formerly of Def Jam Recordings. A Hollis, New York native best-known for hits such as "Put It On Me", "Between Me And You", "I'm Real" and "Wonderful," Ja Rule has released seven albums to date and sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Biography Early Years Born and raised in a Hollis, Queens, New York housing project, attending Junior High School in Floral Park where he met his future wife Aisha Murray and they graduated in 1991. They attended Martin Van Buren High School together but he did not graduate. When Atkins was five years old, his sister died from respiratory problems. Growing up in a strict religious home, Atkin's family did not celebrate birthdays and Christmas, and as a child, was not allowed to listen to rap music. When he first heard it, h