S. Samuel
After breaking the news of rapper Ja Rule's release from prison earlier this month, CNN's N.O.R.E. has taken things a step further by releasing a photo of the former Murder Inc. star.
In the picture, Rule shows he made sure to keep fit while behind bars for nearly two years.
Ja Rule returned home last week after being released from prison, serving a two-year bid for weapons possession and a following concurrent bid for tax evasion. Earlier today, N.O.R.E. tweeted a photo of Ja posing his new brolic look. As we’ve seen in recent years, it looks like jail keeps rappers fit. (Miss Info TV)
N.O. officially broke the news of Rule’s release in early May.
“Welcome home @Ruleyork,” N.O.R.E. tweeted May 7th, referencing Ja Rule’s Twitter account.
“Just spoke to @Ruleyork everybody tell him welcome home!!!” (N.O.R.E.’s Twitter)
While music is expected to come, Rule is reportedly working on a memoir.
UPDATE: 1:59 AM PT — Ja’s spokesperson, Melanie A. Bonvicino, tells TMZ … “My client Jeffrey Atkins (aka Ja Rule) was released this morning from the Raybrook Correctional Facility in Upstate New York to serve out his federal time obligation due under the terms set forth in accordance with home confinement which were secured by his attorney Stacy Richman.” “At present, he looks forward to spending some time with his family while he completes his memoir.” (TMZ)
Initial reports claimed Ja would likely remain behind bars through late July.
The 36-year-old rapper left a state prison in central New York last week after serving most of his two-year sentence for illegal gun possession and went straight into federal custody in a tax evasion case. The Federal Bureau of Prisons says he has since moved from an upstate jail to Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, which houses prisoners awaiting court dates or having short terms left on their sentences. The bureau said Thursday his expected release date is July 28. Ja Rule admits he failed to pay taxes on more than $3 million earned between 2004 and 2006 while he lived in New Jersey. (SF Gate)
