In 2000, the radio station I worked at had exclusive "presenting" rights to a concert that featured 3LW, Ludacris, and the headliner Ja Rule. Today, it wouldn't make sense to have Luda open for Ja, but back then "Between Me and You" was huge and Ludacris was just gaining fame with "What's Your Fantasy."

Before Ja Rule took the stage, the artists and radio people were all in back hanging out, so I walked up to him to ask for a photo. This was the first time I had met him, and he seemed pretty disinterested in me or where I worked. He wasn't the friendliest dude, but I just chalked it up as him being focused on his show. I didn't have a negative impression of him...yet.

After the concert, the official afterparty was at a local nightclub called Consortium. All the artists were there, except 3LW who were way too young to get in.

Ja Rule showed up and walked to a VIP area that was set up for him and his entourage. Naturally, fans were there, excited to be able to meet the artists. We radio cats were in and around the VIP, too, so people would come up to us to talk.

One young lady who had a huge smile on her face asked me if she could meet and take a photo with Ja Rule. All the other artists were having a good time mingling with the crowd, so I approached Ja Rule, who was literally just standing near a booth watching people dance.

"Is it cool if this young lady takes a picture with you?", I asked.

"Nah, man. I ain't doin that. I'm just chillin' tonight", he said. Then he turned his back on me and his fan to talk to one of his buddies.

That was the single jerkiest move I had seen by an artist up to that point, and the look on the rejected girl's face was heart-breaking.

Years later, Ja Rule came by my current station to promote his big "comeback" CD. I chose not to show up to meet him again.

Moral of the story: Ja Rule needed to be slapped.

-salas-

Check out Ja Rule's webpage here!