This album is Ja’s response to all his critics over the past year. This would be Ja Rule’s most hard-core rap album since his debut Venni Vetti Vecci. The production on this album is a lot different with Irv Gotti recruiting many new producers to try and get that edge and he has succeeded in my opinion, there are very view samples on the unlike previous albums which in a way has become Irv Gotti’s trade mark by mixing samples with his own beats. The album features a lot of guest appearances including his label mates Black Child, Caddillac Tah, Shadow, D.O Cannons, Young Merc and Sekou 720. But unlike Ja rule’s last two albums this does not feature collaboration with Ashanti although she is sampled on two tracks showing the power of her voice. As well as some of his industry friends Hussein Fatal formally from Tupac’s Outlawz group, James Gotti and Sizzla. As to expect with a Ja Rule album we have a Remo skit, which as usual is very funny, we have a Bobby Creep skit, which is a weak shot at 50 cent, and DJ Kay Slay pops in to congratulate Ja Rule on his hot tack.

The lead single of the album Scott Storch's produced Clap Back has a very heavy beat and Ja gives his shoot outs to his people and welcomes everyone to the World Famous Murder Inc show. Ja’s rhymes are up to scratch and on time with the beat. The Chink Santana produced The Crown once again has a good beat but as for the Sizzla sample it’s a bit messy and as for the reference to j Lo’s ass that’s just as bad as 50’s line I love Like a fat kid loves cake.

On Things Gon Change which is a clearly aimed at the Shady/Aftermath family with Ja Rule’s opening line copying that of a famous Tupac line from “Hit Em Up” by saying “First off Fuck the Snitch and his Unity Claim, Fuck Dre, Parshell and Eminem”. “I think big like I was wanted on Death Row” responding to the rumours that he had signed to Death Row. This features Black Child who’s rhymes are amazing “As I sit back relax, cutting cracks, loading gats, I think about the sexy rappers that I wanna clap, I’d probably go to jail for sending 50 to hell, if I lay Banks down Yayo goin tell, Fatal will help him write his wax and brow”. With D.O Cannons and Young Merc swapping lines for the final verse this song is well worked out.

On the tracks The Life and Race Against Time II have good beats but maybe Ja should of stuck to spitting verses and leaving the hooks to other artists. JA seems to find it difficult to stick to rapping and not singing as too often he decides to do a bit of singing. But he should not be criticised for the amount of disses on this album as they all turn out very well and none send like he is repeating himself.

Ja Rule really shines on niggaz and Bitches, which is produced by Blackout. His rhyming is on time with the beat, which Ja doesn’t always manage on his tracks. On The Inc is Back once again we are treated to a quality beat and all the artists which feature on this track really spit good rhymes.

We are constantly told about MIB not Men in Black but Murder Inc Bosses what’s the point in these references I think only the artists can tell us. The two Freestyle’s which are added It’s Murda and The Wrap which both feature Hussein Fatal are good but were released on mix tapes a good while before the album was released which shows the album was rushed and maybe just thrown together for the demand of his fans waiting for responses to 50’s disses.

The album is very well produced and Ja’s ability to rap “Gangsta” is proven but in a way the album is ruined by Ja’s continuous habit of singing the hooks. Ja in a way proved his point to his rivals that he still has what it takes to be a rap artist but weather he will continue with his reinvented thug style for his forth coming release in 2004 or go back to his RnB collaborations with the likes of Ashanti and J Lo in order to sell millions is the question. In my opinion Ja showed what he’s got but also showed that he cant be consistent with his lyrics.

My Rating 3.5-4/5