Fat Joe Says Ja Rule Was ‘Drake Before Drake’

Fat Joe is giving Ja Rule his flowers.

Following their Verzuz battle earlier in the week, the two went live on Instagram where Joe reflected on Rule’s reign in the late ’90s/early 2000s. Joe showered the Murder Inc. rapper with praise, even going so far as to call him the Drake of his era.

“With no disrespect to your hip-hop roots, you’re a pop star,” Joe told him. “I always tell everybody, you was the Drake before the Drake. You had hit after hit after hit after hit.”

Ja responded by giving props to the Certified Lover Boy. “Drizzy one of the GOATs,” he said as Joe wholeheartedly agreed.

From 1999 to 2005, Ja dominated the charts with hit after hit including “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” and “Ain’t It Funny” with Jennifer Lopez, plus “Always on Time” and “Mesmerize” with Ashanti, which he performed during Tuesday’s Verzuz.

“For the youth who’s tuned in, they don’t realize that this guy Ja Rule had a run like Drake for those years, like just hit, hit, hit, hit…” Joe recalled.

“And we ain’t even play the R. Kelly record,” added Ja, referring to 2004’s “Wonderful” collaboration with the embattled singer.

During their Verzuz matchup, Ja surprised viewers by bringing out Ashanti, Lil Mo, and Vita, while Joe was joined on stage by Remy Ma and Nelly.