explain Ja Rule to me

[martinskidmore.livejournal.com]

I had some time to kill in Kilburn before the Afrirampo gig, and popped into some sort of Costcutters-type shop, and among the CDs on offer at a quid was one by Ja Rule. He'd not come to my attention much, just a vague memory of a gruff voice, but worth a go at a quid. I know this is OT here, probably, but why is he a star? This is all dreadful, and centrally he is a bad enough rapper that I can imagine John Barnes deciding he is too good to wish to be associated with Ja Rule. I am totally mystified how he became a big name.