Ja Rule left a New York state penitentiary today only to enter federal prison to complete the remaining six months of his 2011 sentence.
The rapper, best known for his role in the 2001 movie The Fast and The Furious, was sentenced to 28 months for illegal gun possession and tax evasion.
Stacey Richman, Ja Rule’s defense attorney, is hopeful her client will be free to leave prison after six months and enter a halfway house.
"Many people are looking forward to experiencing his talent again," Richman said.
Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, is known for such lyrical hits as "Mesmerize," "Thug Lovin'," and "Down A** B****."
Although the world hopes for his quick release, Ja Rule’s record of rule breaking reflects a poor understanding of life in jail. He was caught making unauthorized phone calls to two radio stations to discuss his incarceration in 2012.
Talking to SiriusXM Radio DJ Renada Romain, the rapper-actor said prison was teaching him many lessons about the penal system.
"Prison is not amazing," he said. "This is not Disney World."
Atkins has completed some "self-improvement" despite his unpleasant surroundings, including earning his GED and taking college courses.
Ja Rule was found guilty in 2010 after police found a loaded semiautomatic gun in a $250,000 car when he was stopped for speeding. He admitted to tax evasion in 2011 for the $3 million he brought in between 2004 and 2006.
"I in no way attempted to deceive the government or do anything illegal," he told the judge. "I was a young man who made a lot of money—I'm getting a little choked up—I didn't know how to deal with these finances, and I didn't have people to guide me, so I made mistakes."