Ja Rule (second from right) with his sons Jeffrey and Jordan, wife Aisha and daughter Brittney in 2018.Photo:Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Ja Ruleand his family are no strangers to the spotlight.
The rapper and actor shares three kids with his wife of 23 years, Aisha Atkins: Brittney, Jeffrey Jr. and Jordan. Some of the family, including Brittney and Jeffrey Jr. appeared on WE tv’sGrowing Up Hip: Hop New Yorkin 2019. Ahead of the show, which aired in the fall 2019, the “Mesmerize” hitmaker sat down withPEOPLE Nowand discussed his life as a parent.
“I want my kids to run to me, not from me,” he said, explaining that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to having difficult conversations. “And I tell them all the time, it’s three people in the world you cannot lie to… your doctor, your lawyer and me, good old dad.”
He continued, “Because I’m the one that’s going to get you out of it, whatever it may be. I have your best interests at heart.”
In 2015, he toldWetpaintthat his kids can get a little too personal — but it’s for the best.
“Sometimes they get a little critic, they tell us too much, but I prefer that versus [not telling their parents anything.]”
Speaking of what fans would see from the show, Ja Rule explained toPEOPLE Nowthat it gives the opportunity for him to showcase a different side of him. “You know, I think people don’t see, you know, the other side of me; being and dad, a husband, and those things. They don’t see that side … I’m really a really cool, laid-back, reserved, no-drama guy.”
Here’s everything to know about Ja Rule’s three children.
Brittney Atkins in 2015.Jason Kempin/Getty
Jason Kempin/Getty
Ja Rule’s first child,Brittney, was born on Sept. 22, 1995.
While appearing onGrowing Up Hip Hop: New York, Brittney explained that people have used her to try and get close to her famous father.
“You just have to pay attention to people’s characteristics” she explained toAccess Hollywoodwhen asked how she combats this.
“… when I meet people from the beginning, a lot of the times, it sounds funny if they’re not interested in truthfully getting to know me from the beginning. [If they’re] asking me all about my dad from the jump, it kind of is a red flag.”
“Growing up as Ja Rule’s daughter, it was definitely different — I wouldn’t say difficult,” she explained during a 2019promotional clipforGrowing Up Hip Hop: New York.“It had its ups and its downs.”
Brittney has dabbled in the media world as an actor and screenwriter. A member ofSAG-AFTRA, she has appeared in several reality series alongside her father as well as an episode of hip hop anthology seriesTales.
“I will be acting, I’m going to be working on my screenwriting,” she explained in 2019 when promotingGrowing Up Hip Hop: New York.
Speaking of his daughter’s qualities, Ja Rule says that Brittney has his fighting spirit. “My daughter, she has my fight. Like, she’ll pick an argument and it’s on,” he said of Brittney during a 2019 interview withPEOPLE Now. “She goes in.”
Brittney Atkins and Ja Rule in 2021.Dominik Bindl/Getty
Dominik Bindl/Getty
“It can be tricky,” she explained. “My dad says it best, ‘if you don’t want it out there, don’t put it out there.’ I try to just remain, be myself, who I am, and you know, that’s that on that.”
Brittney runs her own haircare brand,Based On You, and she documented the inception of the brand on the show. The brand sells shampoos, conditioners, hair masks and oils made alongside a professional chemist.
In September 2023, Brittney appeared to announce her engagement to her now-fiancéTiki, when she posteda video on Instagramof the proposal, captioning the black and white clip, “ISSA WIFE 🥺🥰🥂.”
More recently, the couple shared ajoint poston Instagram on July 12, 2024 where they revealed that “the wedding is in 2025.”
Jeffrey Atkins Jr. in 2015.Jason Kempin/Getty
Jefrrey Atkins Jr. was born in 2000.
Like his older sister, Jeffrey appeared inGrowing Up Hip Hop: New York.“I want to share my story because I think it’s cool and I guess it’s unique,” he explained in a 2019 promotional clip for the show.
He has amassed over 44,000 followers on Instagram as of August 2024 and has so far released an album titledThe World Ends with Sinin 2022 and several singles over 2021 and 2022, according to Spotify.
Ja Rule and son Jeffrey in 2016.Santiago Felipe/Getty
Santiago Felipe/Getty
Fans were quick to notice the striking similarities between the two. “Straight copy n paste 😂🔥🔥” one person commented, while another wrote, “Wow. He stole your whole face Ja.”
The father-son duo has previously attended events together, including on Jan. 16, 2016, when Jeffrey Jr. and Ja Rule were guests at the Add Ventures Music Official Launch Party at Stage 48 in New York City. The two also posed with Ashanti during the star-studded event.
Jordan Atkins, Brittney Atkins, Ja Rule and Aisha Atkins attend Atlantic Records celebrates the 2018 VMA’s on Aug. 20, 2018 at TAO Downtown in New York City.Ilya S. Savenok/Getty
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty
Ja Rule and Aisha welcomed their third child, Jordan, on April 6, 2003.
Jordan often posts comedic skits to his TikTok account, @mealyworld.One clip, which has received over 71,000 views, poked fun at watching HBO’sEuphoriaalone compared to when someone else comes into the room.
To celebrate Jordan’s birthday in 2023, proud mom Aisha shared a carousel of photos onher Instagram account.
Ja Rule and Jordan Atkins in 2015.Jemal Countess/Getty
Jemal Countess/Getty
When he reached 21 in 2024, his mom shared a similar sentiment in celebration of his milestone age.
Happy Birthday to my youngest son can’t believe you are 21 years old today. I love you so much and hope you enjoy your birthday! 😘😘🎊🎉," Aisha wroteon Instagram.
Jordan often shares photos alongside his girlfriend,Alexia Chanel. On his 21st birthday, he posted aseries of snapsof himself and Alexia embracing one another.
source: people.com