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Pain Is Love Image
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

  • Summary: 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.

Top Track

Always On Time
Always there when you call always on time Gave you my... baby be mine Always there when you call always on time Gave you my... baby Baby I'm not... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. 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.
  2. What makes it a slightly better album than Rule 3:36, though, is the album's consistency.
  3. The hip-hopper's gravelly vocal style benefits greatly from the many collaborations here.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Uncut
    40
    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]
  7. 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.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 5 out of 12
  1. ShaunS.
    Apr 30, 2002
    10
    This Album Is Phat And That Is all You Need To Know!!1
  2. Francheskastotz
    Dec 24, 2002
    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 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 Expand
  3. May 8, 2023
    10
    Ja Rule is very underrated and Pain Is Love is one of the great albums of 2001.
  4. Feb 4, 2012
    7
    His lyrics were "Aight" but he needs to stop trying to be 2pac. He cant imitate a legend. Hopefully Pain is love 2 is good cuz ive beenHis lyrics were "Aight" but he needs to stop trying to be 2pac. He cant imitate a legend. Hopefully Pain is love 2 is good cuz ive been waiting for a awhile Expand
  5. billb
    Dec 21, 2001
    3
    this album was weak. Venni Vitti Vicci was the best album i've ever heard, but his albums keep on getting worse and worse.
  6. ShadyInc.
    Dec 26, 2003
    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 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. Expand
  7. goatman
    Mar 19, 2005
    0
    ugly

See all 12 User Reviews