Page 59 - ION Indie Magazine MarchApril 2018 Issue

Question: What does it take to heat up the beach in the dead of winter? That question was
answered at Wally’s Pub in Hampton Beach, NH on January 18, 2018, when JA RULE sizzled the
stage. Just the body heat alone did the trick – as the venue was packed with fans standing shoulder
to shoulder from the stage to the door. Though many people wouldn’t associate Hampton Beach,
New Hampshire as a hub for rap, the Thursday night show was such a resounding success that Ja
Rule added another performance at Wally’s that Friday night.

A DJ was set up on stage mixing beats that had the crowd dancing as they readied themselves for
Ja Rule to take the stage. The 41-year old rapper strode on stage, donning a Nike zip up hoodie as
his fans pressed up as close to the front as possible. Full of energy, he grabbed the microphone off
the stand, opening the show with his hit song “Livin’ It Up.” It was clear to see Ja Rule was livin’ it
up every minute of being in front of an audience.

The crowd was feeding into his every verse, bouncing along to the beats. A woman next to me,

dressed in rolled down over-sized cargo pants and a crop top with Rule York printed on the front
said, “It’s so crazy. I almost forgot how much of his music I knew. I know every song!” She was
exactly right. Ja Rule is the kind of artist whose words become an ear worm…it’s so easy to find
yourself singing along.

Ja Rule leaned over into the crowd to introduce the song “Between Me and You,” taking off his shirt
as the ladies in the front row whistled, yelling to him. He made sure to close the space between
himself and his fans. As their hands flew up, Ja Rule was shaking hands and high-fiving his fans.

Rule closed out his second set, then turned over the stage to local artists. ION Indie Magazine

stepped outside to put away camera gear as Ja Rule and his road crew exited the building. Ja Rule
was more than happy to say “hi” to fans who he passed on his way out. With his immense talent
and the close rapport that he demonstrated with his fan base, it’s no surprise they were able to
pack Wally’s the following night for a second show.