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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Pain Is Love
by Ja Rule


5.2

based on 10 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 13 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

Released after a string of successful singles and albums (including 2000's 'Rule 3:36' LP), 'Pain Is Love' features contributions from Jennifer Lopez, Missy Elliott, and 2Pac.

LABEL:	Uptown/Universal
RELEASE DATE:	02 October 2001
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Rap

NOTES: Available in clean and explicit versions.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Entertainment Weekly

Like his frequent compadre Jay-Z, Rule loves his old-school R&B, but Rule's samples and grooves, rooted in '80s dance-floor pop, are more tuneful.

All Music Guide

What makes it a slightly better album than Rule 3:36, though, is the album's consistency.

E! Online

The hip-hopper's gravelly vocal style benefits greatly from the many collaborations here.

Launch.com

The only problem is that Ja's ear for a hit has begun to make his straight street-level efforts less enticing.

Rolling Stone

Ja Rule seems to be more interested in movin' on up (to the pop side) than keeping grounded on the gangsta grid.

Sonicnet

Rule's scattered third album mixes love and war with uneven results, as his simple lyrics and unimaginative storytelling outweigh the stellar musical moments on this 16-cut collection.

PopMatters

The tracks on this album contain the right beats to make listeners' heads bounce. But more thoughtful music lovers will simply shake their heads at the profuse profanity and misogynistic philosophies Ja Rule perpetuates with Pain Is Love.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Ja Rule's only real gift is for crafting undeniable pop hooks. That talent is underrated, but it still does little to cover up the rapper's derivative lyrics and crassly recycled 2Pacisms.

Q Magazine

The prepetually gruff Rule, a second division DMX or Redman, and producer Irv Gotti leave no cliche unturned. [Dec 2001, p.124]

Uncut

Rule's raw, worn vocal recalls 2Pac, a style perfect for the title track's state-of-the-nation address but wasted on fodder like "Smokin' And Ridin.'" [Jan 2002, p.140]

The average user rating for this album is 5.2 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

goat man gave it a0:
ugly

Some Guy gave it a 0:
wak as fuk... ja rule is a big pussy

Puk Puk gave it a 0:
Ja rule sucks ass. Ja rule is a wanna be Big Daddy Kane.

Shady Inc. gave it a 0:
Too bad scores don't go into the negatives. Ja Rule is a faggot and he sucks ass. Tell this cookie monster to go to hell, his music sucks, and he aint pac.

Francheska stotz gave it a 10:
This C.D is off da hook. I really love the way Ja wirtes his raps . He is soo sexy in all of his vidios my favorite is I Cry feat. lilmo One day ill meet Ja no matter how E-SIDE FO SHO MURDER INC

Shaun S. gave it a 10:
This Album Is Phat And That Is all You Need To Know!!1

Lov M. gave it a 10:
JaRule is not only sounding good but hes looking good to! What else can u ask for? This time around his c.d. has alot more love songs but w/o the mushy beat. All his songs are poppin and the beat is off the hook. Plus his remixes w/ J.Lo and him featuring girls on his songs makes it alot phatter.

Pain Is Love by Ja Rule

Pain Is Love
by Ja Rule