| The Last Temptation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 19, 2002 | |||
| Recorded | 2002 | |||
| Genre | Hardcore hip hop[1] | |||
| Length | 54:46 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | ||||
| Ja Rule chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from The Last Temptation | ||||
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 57/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Blender | [5] |
| RapReviews | 6/10[6] |
| NME | [7] |
| MVRemix Urban | 3.5/10[8] |
The Last Temptation is the fourth studio album by American rapper Ja Rule.[9] It was released by Murder Inc. and Def Jam. Originally scheduled for a Fall 2002 release, the album was delayed to 2003, but was ultimately released on November 19, 2002.
This album contained singles such as "Thug Lovin'" (featuring Bobby Brown), "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti) and "The Pledge (Remix)" (by Ashanti featuring Nas, Ja Rule and 2Pac). "Murder Reigns" was also released as a single titled "Reign" in select territories outside of North America, such as Europe and Australasia. The song "Pop Niggas" gained some attention after it was reported to be talking in part about 50 Cent. Pharrell was featured in the song, but not credited. Other guests featured on the album include: Bobby Brown, Ashanti, Nas, Alexi, Charli Baltimore, 2Pac, Caddillac Tah, Celeste, Eastwood, Crooked I, Young Life & Chink Santana.
The album was successful, moving 237,000 units in its first week,[10] but less than his previous Pain Is Love. On December 13, 2002 the album was certified Platinum. "Mesmerize" is ranked at #45 on Blender's list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever",[11] but was the most successful single from the album, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. The album also received criticism from fans, saying that the album sounded too commercial, and that Ja Rule was selling out: in addition, many artists that Ja Rule was feuding with, such as Daz Dillinger, Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, G-Unit, Obie Trice, D12, Busta Rhymes, and DMX said that Ja Rule was trying to be just like Tupac Shakur, which fueled the rivalries even more. Though neither its debut nor lifetime sales ever matched those of Pain Is Love, The Last Temptation is Ja Rule's third highest-selling album to date.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | 0:20 | ||
| 2. | "Thug Lovin'" (featuring Bobby Brown) | 4:50 | ||
| 3. | "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti) |
|
| 4:38 |
| 4. | "Pop Niggas" |
| The Neptunes | 4:29 |
| 5. | "The Pledge (Remix)" (featuring Ashanti, Nas & 2Pac) |
|
| 3:54 |
| 6. | "Murder Reigns" (featuring Celeste) |
|
| 4:03 |
| 7. | "Last Temptation" (featuring Charli Baltimore) |
|
| 4:58 |
| 8. | "Murder Me" (featuring Caddillac Tah & Alexi) |
|
| 5:15 |
| 9. | "The Warning" |
|
| 5:05 |
| 10. | "Connected" (featuring Eastwood & Crooked I) |
|
| 4:54 |
| 11. | "Emerica" (featuring Young Life & Chink Santana) |
|
| 5:16 |
| 12. | "Rock Star" |
|
| 4:58 |
| 13. | "Destiny (Outro)" |
| Cool & Dre | 2:05 |
Sample credits[12]
- "Thug Lovin'" – Interpolates portions of "Knocks Me Off My Feet" performed by Stevie Wonder
- "Mesmerize" – Interpolates portions of "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" performed by Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross
- "The Pledge (Remix)" – Contains a sample and elements of "So Many Tears" performed by 2Pac
- "Murder Reigns" – Contains a sample of "Africa" performed by Toto
- "Last Temptation" – Contains a sample of "Funky Sensation" performed by Gwen McCrae
- "Murder Me" – Contains a sample of "Anniversary" performed by Tony! Toni! Toné!
- "Rock Star" – Contains a sample of "I Belong to You" performed by Lenny Kravitz
- "Destiny (Outro)" – Contains a sample of "Midnight Sunshine" performed by The Soul Children
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[36] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[37] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[38] | Gold | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[39] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- 1 2 Allmusic review
- ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1477. November 1, 2002. p. 24.
- ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1483. December 13, 2002. p. 26.
- ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 30th June 2003" (PDF). ARIA. June 30, 2003. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
- ↑ Blender review Archived November 22, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ RapReviews review
- ↑ NME review
- ↑ MVRemix Urban review
- ↑ "The Last Temptation: Ja Rule: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2003-12-06). "Ja Rule Done Lashing Out At 50, Will Be Himself Again On New LP - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ↑ "The 50 Worst Songs Ever! Watch, Listen and Cringe!". Blender. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ↑ The Last Temptation (booklet). Murder Inc., Def Jam. 2002.
- ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Ja Rule – The Last Temptation". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 30th June 2003" (PDF). The ARIA Report (697): 14. June 30, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Albums : Top 100". Jam!. December 12, 2002. Archived from the original on December 10, 2004. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ↑ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. December 19, 2002. Archived from the original on December 26, 2002. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ja Rule – The Last Temptation" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ↑ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 50. December 7, 2002. p. 13. Retrieved April 10, 2023 – via World Radio History.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Ja Rule – The Last Temptation". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH.
- ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Ja Rule". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ↑ "Charts.nz – Ja Rule – The Last Temptation". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Ja Rule – The Last Temptation". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Ja Rule Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Ja Rule Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Top 200 Albums of 2002 (based on sales)". Jam!. Archived from the original on 6 September 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ↑ "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on October 12, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ↑ "Top 100 rap albums of 2002 in Canada". Jam!. Archived from the original on October 12, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ↑ "2002 UK Albums Chart" (PDF). ChartsPlus. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 2003". ARIA. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums - 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Ja Rule – The Last Temptation". Music Canada. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "British album certifications – Ja Rule – The Last Temptation". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 7, 2015. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type The Last Temptation in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ↑ "American album certifications – Ja Rule – The Last Temptation". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
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