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The Last Temptation is the fourth studio album by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released by Murder Inc., Def Jam and Island Def Jam Music Group on November 19, 2002.
The album was successful, moving 237,000 units in its first week, but less than his previous Pain Is Love. On December 13, 2002 the album was certified Platinum. "Mesmerize" is ranked at #45 on Blenders list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever", but was the most successful single from the album, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. The album also received criticism from fans, saying that the album sounded too commercial, and that Ja Rule was selling out. Though neither its debut nor lifetime sales ever matched those of Pain Is Love, The Last Temptation is Ja Rule's third highest-selling album to date.
Background
Originally scheduled for a Fall 2002 release (as found in the booklet for Pain Is Love), the album was delayed to 2003 (as found in the booklet for Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.), but was ultimately released on November 19, 2002.
This album contained singles such as "Thug Lovin'" (featuring Bobby Brown), "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti) and "The Pledge (Remix)" (by Ashanti featuring Nas, Ja Rule and 2Pac). "Murder Reigns" was also released as a single titled "Reign" in select territories outside of North America, such as Europe and Australasia. The song "Pop Niggas" gained some attention after it was reported to be talking in part about 50 Cent. Pharrell was featured on the song, but not credited. Other guests featured on the album include: Alexi, Charli Baltimore, Caddillac Tah, Celeste, Eastwood, Crooked I, Young Life, and Chink Santana.
Track listing
Leftover tracks
- "Streets Raised Me" feat. Mary J. Blige [https://web.archive.org/web/20220925214952/https://www.mtv.com/news/kc14nl/ja-rule-takes-on-dmx-sticks-with-formula-on-last-temptation]
- "Fuck With Us" feat. Black Child, Caddillac Tah, D.O. Cannons and Young Merc [https://web.archive.org/web/20220925214952/https://www.mtv.com/news/kc14nl/ja-rule-takes-on-dmx-sticks-with-formula-on-last-temptation]
Sample credits
- "Thug Lovin'" – Interpolates portions of "Knocks Me Off My Feet" performed by Stevie Wonder
- "Mesmerize" – Interpolates portions of "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" performed by Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross
- "The Pledge (Remix)" – Contains a sample and elements of "So Many Tears" performed by 2Pac
- "Murder Reigns" – Contains a sample of "Africa" performed by Toto
- "Last Temptation" – Contains a sample of "Funky Sensation" performed by Gwen McCrae
- "Murder Me" – Contains a sample of "Anniversary" performed by Tony! Toni! Toné!
- "Rock Star" – Contains a sample of "I Belong to You" performed by Lenny Kravitz
- "Destiny (Outro)" – Contains a sample of "Midnight Sunshine" performed by The Soul Children
Personnel
- Alexi – additional vocals (8)
- Milwaukee Buck – engineer (2, 3, 5–8, 10–13), mixing (4, 6, 10, 11)
- Demo Castellon – assistant engineer (2, 3, 7–9, 12)
- Celeste – additional vocals (6)
- Tom Coyne – mastering
- Brian Garten – engineer (4)
- Irv Gotti – executive producer, mixing (2, 3, 5, 7–9, 12, 13)
- Terry "Murda Mac" Herbert – assistant engineer (5)
- Eric Jackson – keyboards (2)
- Marc Lee – mixing assistant (2, 3, 7–9, 12)
- James Manning – bass guitar (2)
- Demi Doc McGhee – instrumentation (7)
- Keez Parker – instrumentation (7)
- Brian Springer – engineer (2), mixing (2, 3, 5, 7–9, 12, 13)
- Ja Rule – executive producer
Charts
Weekly charts
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for The Last Temptation by Ja Rule
!align="left"|Chart (2002–2003)
!align="left"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)
|align="center"|6
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)
|style="text-align:center;"|19
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)
|style="text-align:center;"|9
|-
|-
!scope="row"|European Top 100 Albums (Music & Media)
|style="text-align:center;"|47
|-
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|}
Year-end charts
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+2002 year-end chart performance for The Last Temptation
!Chart (2002)
!Position
|-
! scope="row"|Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)
|align="center"| 149
|-
! scope="row"|Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)
| style="text-align:center;"|27
|-
! scope="row"|Canadian Rap Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
! scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC)
| style="text-align:center;"|103
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+2003 year-end chart performance for The Last Temptation
!Chart (2003)
!Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)
| style="text-align:center;"|95
|-
! scope="row"| US Billboard 200
| style="text-align:center;"|40
|-
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|}