Ja Rule says hip-hop beef “killed New York” and calls out “powers that be,” accusing them of hurting Black people, in raw interview with Carmelo Anthony [VIDEO]
In a this 7PM in Brooklyn episode, Ja Rule opens up about 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and hip-hop’s decline — blending honesty, pain, and perspective from a New York legend.
In a newly released episode of 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, Ja Rule brought New York energy and raw honesty to one of the podcast’s most viral installments yet. Titled “Ja Rule on Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Kendrick vs Drake | The truth about hip hop beef,” the 105-minute episode dropped this afternoon (November 10), across YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. Shot in a laid-back Brooklyn studio filled with red lights, sneakers, and vinyl, the conversation unfolded like a reunion between old friends who’ve seen the game from every angle.
Hosted by Carmelo Anthony and co-host Kazeem Famuyide, the episode quickly gained over 13,000 YouTube views and sparked trending clips on X and Instagram. The chemistry between the three men was undeniable — all sharing New York roots and decades of experience navigating fame. But when Ja began unpacking his views on hip-hop, legacy, and life after fame, the tone shifted from nostalgic to deeply introspective.
“Beef Killed New York:” Ja Rule’s Take on Hip-Hop Rivalries
Early in the episode, Ja Rule drew a sharp line between competition and destruction in hip-hop, saying, “I don’t think hip-hop beefs are good for the culture… Big and Pac both got killed… me and 50 [expletive] that [expletive] up for New York.” The rapper compared his early-2000s feud with 50 Cent to Carmelo Anthony’s own rivalries in basketball, framing both as byproducts of ego and environment.
“When you see how divided things got, you realize we were just reflections of that same energy,” Ja admitted. He called the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake feud “entertaining but dangerous,” warning, “Nothing good comes out of any of these things… It separated a lot of [expletive] in New York.”
Ja went on to claim his music had aged better than 50’s, asserting, “I was the better rapper. I felt like I made the better records.” Still, he said the feud cost the city momentum, adding, “You gotta like both, because one is an imitation of the other.” The remarks instantly went viral, reigniting the debate about one of hip-hop’s most famous rivalries.
Reflecting on Jay-Z, DMX, and Hip-Hop Legacy
Midway through the conversation, Ja took a reflective turn, recounting his position as the “middle ground” between Jay-Z’s slick style and DMX’s gritty aggression. “I was a grimy [expletive] but a fly [expletive]. I was in the middle of X and Jay,” he laughed, explaining how his sound helped shape an era where radio-ready rap could still carry street authenticity.
He also touched on the failed Murder Inc. supergroup with Jay-Z and DMX that once had fans salivating: “What could that have been if two Queens juggernauts came together and made some money together?” That “what-if” tone threaded through much of the episode — a mix of pride and what could have been.
Ja credited himself for pioneering the melodic rap-R&B duets that later became mainstream. “Before me, there was no artist doing what I did — rapping and singing with the same intensity,” he said. Songs like “Always on Time” and “Mesmerize” remain his proof that emotional vulnerability and toughness can coexist.
The Powers That Be Hate to See Us Win”
The podcast’s most talked-about moment came when Ja turned from music to larger issues within the industry. “Hip-hop’s in a state where it looks dark,” he declared. “They said there were no hip-hop songs in the top 35 this year… that’s not by accident. The powers that be hate to see young Black men making millions.”
His tone sharpened as he spoke about systemic barriers, echoing frustrations many artists have voiced about how the genre is treated commercially. “They orchestrated it,” Ja continued. “There’s no label money going toward hip-hop anymore. We live in a microwave [expletive] society.”
From there, the Queens rapper shifted to unity, drawing lessons from his time in prison: “When you in there, you see the difference between the races. Black people gotta come together as one. When you see a Black man, say what’s up to him — that needs to change.” His message, though rooted in personal experience, resonated widely — with clips circulating online as calls for solidarity and self-determination.
From Fyre Festival to Freedom: Ja Rule’s Growth
As the episode pivoted toward lighter territory, Melo asked Ja about his post-prison reinvention and business moves. The rapper laughed about declining 2 Fast 2 Furious for a tour — “It wasn’t meant for me; I’m happy for Luda and Tyrese” — and promoted his whiskey line, Iconn Media network, and “Pain Is Love” 25th anniversary tour.
Ja’s candor about past failures, including the Fyre Festival disaster, earned laughs during the “Mess With It or Get Out of Here” segment. When asked if he supported Fyre Festival 2, the table erupted in unison: “Get out of here!” Ja grinned, saying he learned from every mistake. “You fall, you get up. I’ve always been that dude.”
Despite controversy following him for years, Ja’s tone was that of a survivor. Someone who embraced his scars rather than hiding them. His message throughout the episode was simple: redemption through resilience.
Music Meets Hoops: Melo, Kaz, and Ja Connect the Dots
The synergy between hip-hop and basketball came alive in the “Run the Ones” segment, where Melo and Kaz tossed out one-on-one matchups between NBA greats — from Amar’e Stoudemire vs. Karl-Anthony Towns to Bernard King vs. Mikal Bridges. Ja picked Kobe Bryant as his ultimate choice: “Kobe’s my favorite one-on-one player, no question.”
Their back-and-forth mirrored barbershop debates, but Ja drew a deeper connection. “This table, right here — this is the block,” he said. “We might have a rapper, a hooper, a hustler, a killer… we all came from the same soil.” Melo agreed, adding that the drive to compete is universal: “You think about it — anybody could start a podcast too. It’s all hustle.”
It was a reminder that basketball and hip-hop share the same DNA — grit, rhythm, and the hunger to be great.
Fans Praise “Real Talk” from a Reformed Legend
The episode’s reception was overwhelmingly positive. YouTube comments called it “the realest Ja interview in years” and “proof that time gives wisdom.” Clips of his “powers that be” monologue gained hundreds of thousands of views across social media. Meanwhile, the 50 Cent segment reignited old debates without reigniting hostility.
Carmelo Anthony and Kazeem Famuyide’s easy chemistry helped balance Ja’s intensity. Therefore, creating a space that felt both nostalgic and forward-looking. The tone wasn’t bitter — it was reflective, a veteran talking to peers who understood the journey.
Ja closed the episode on a note of gratitude, saying, “There’s no better feeling than creating something and watching the world love it. That’s God’s work.” His words carried the weight of a man who’s seen it all and come back wiser. He’s still proud, still defiant, and still very much hip-hop.