Ja Rule is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor who was born and raised in New York City. He made his debut in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and had multiple hit songs that made it to the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, including "Always on Time" (featuring Ashanti), "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti), and "Wonderful" (featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti). During the 2000s, Ja Rule was signed to Irv Gottis Murder Inc. Records, formerly known as The Inc.

Ja Rules career suffered when Murder Inc. Records, the record label he signed with in 1999, became the focus of a federal investigation in the early 2000s, and all of its music ventures were shelved. Def Jam, Murder Inc.s parent label, blocked the release of some of Jas old music, thus preventing him from making money on it. Ja Rule also engaged in a well-publicized conflict with up-and-comer 50 Cent, which further damaged his career.

In 2011, Ja Rule was sentenced to prison for charges related to illegally possessing a firearm and served a two-year sentence. After his release, he revived his career by penning an autobiography, touring his biggest hits, and engaging in some notable business ventures. He founded ICONN Media, a live-streaming entertainment marketplace, and its accompanying app, ICONN Live, a social media platform for creators. The app also broadcasts exclusive live content such as Jas VIBES Concert Series, in which iconic artists perform their classic albums with a live band while telling the stories behind the music.