Ja Rule Denies Stealing DMX's Rap Style

NEW YORK (Ja Rule Fans Forums/Website) - Ja Rule denies that he stole his growling, sing-song rhyme style from DMX as the accusing MC has claimed in radio and print interviews.

Ja Rule, who used to perform with DMX before both were signed to Def Jam Records, said he understands why some may think that DMX influenced the way he raps. Ja Rule said that "X got his deal at Def Jam around the same time as me, whatever, whatever. A little bit before me, and had an opportunity to put out his music before me. So when he put out his music, people naturally felt when I came out that I was trying to be similar to DMX 'cause we have similar voices, our styles are completely different, whatever."

Ja Rule said DMX should have confronted him about any gripes before making their differences public. In addition to accusing Ja Rule of taking his style, DMX also said that Ja Rule was gay. In defense, Ja Rule said that DMX's attempts to sabotage his credibility are backfiring.

"He's a guy that has his own issues within his self, and I think that he needs to work all that sh-t out before he even thinks about f-cking with me 'cause I'll destroy his career, and he's a friend, and I don't want to do that to him, so I'm trying to let him breathe, you know what I mean? Let him go ahead. Let him eat. But I think even by him mentioning sh-t about me, he's hurting himself already."

Ja Rule's fourth album, The Last Temptation, is due out on November 19 on Murder Inc./Def Jam Recordings. The record's first single is "Thug Lovin'" featuring Bobby Brown.