Pain Is Love 2
Studio album by
Ja Rule
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2012
Recorded2011
GenreHip hop[1]
Length43:58
Label
Producer7 Aurelius (also exec.), Ja Rule (exec.), Irv Gotti (exec.)
Ja Rule chronology
Icon
(2012)		 Pain Is Love 2
(2012)		 12.Twelve.XII
(TBA)
Singles from PIL2
  1. "Real Life Fantasy"
    Released: December 13, 2011[2]

Pain Is Love 2 (also known under the acronym PIL2) is the seventh studio album by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on February 28, 2012, by Mpire Music Group and Fontana Distribution. The album was released during Ja Rule's incarceration on charges of gun possession and tax evasion. The album was delayed several times prior to its release.

Production on the album was handled by 7 Aurelius.[3] This is the sequel to his album Pain Is Love (2001). The album debuted at number 197[4] on the US Billboard 200 chart, with 3,200 copies sold in its first week.[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
HipHopDX[7]
RapReviews(6.5/10)[8]

AllMusic's David Jeffries noted some tonal whiplash throughout the album when going from "party and crossover numbers" to honest ruminations on the downfalls of fame but said that the listener can rearrange it to maximize the latter's impact. He concluded that: "It's enough for fans to ignore the flaws of PIL2, and enough to keep them faithful during the coming drought."[6] Andres Tardio of HipHopDX wrote that: "Pain is Love 2 acts as an update on where Ja Rule has traveled in life in recent years and it is an honest look at how he views those travels. His self-awareness and honesty bring a fresh take. This insight comes with a darker tone that could have been delivered in a more cohesive manner. However, by trying to add something for everyone, Rule lost some of that consistency. While it is no perfect return, Pain is Love 2 is a reminder of why Rule was once atop the Hip Hop sphere. Now the question is if he can ever truly return to the top."[7] Pete T. of RapReviews called it "a fairly mixed bag of sultry club jams and sweet R&B collaborations", saying that 7 Aurelius' production can move from being "sleek and contemporary" to stale and inoffensive at points, and Ja's musicianship carries "hackneyed lyricism" but a newfound self-awareness of fame and fortune, concluding that: "PIL 2" is flawed but commendable. Through it all, it's vintage Ja - none of the posturing and rumbling street anthems of Murder Inc.'s early days, but rather music that is perhaps more central to Ja's essence: heartfelt pop tunes and some long-overdue introspection. Although some of the material is predictably insubstantial, it's an inspiring effort from a guy who's been bruised and battered but will live to see another day.[8]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Fuck Fame [Intro]" (featuring Leah Siegel)
2:33
2."Real Life Fantasy" (featuring Anita Louise)
  • Atkins
  • Vest
  • A. Schwartz
  • Joseph Angel
  • Raymond Angry
  • Roc The Producer. (Additional Production)
3:38
3."Parachute" (featuring Leah Siegel)
  • Atkins
  • Vest
3:23
4."SuperStar (Intro)"
  • Atkins
  • Vest
0:16
5."SuperStar"
  • Atkins
  • Vest
4:54
6."Black Vodka"
  • Atkins
  • Vest
5:01
7."Drown" (featuring Somong)
  • Atkins
  • Vest
4:40
8."Never Had Time" (featuring John Doe)
  • Atkins
  • Vest
3:15
9."Strange Days" (featuring 7 Aurelius & Ramzo)
  • Atkins
  • Vest
2:44
10."To the Top" (featuring Kalenna Harper)
  • Atkins
  • Vest
  • James BKS Edjouma
3:28
11."Pray" (featuring Leah Siegel)
  • Atkins
  • Vest
  • AJ Platinum
3:12
12."Believe"
  • Atkins
  • James BKS Edjouma
2:57
13."Spun a Web" (featuring Amina)
  • Atkins
  • Vest
3:51
Total length:43:58

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[9] 197
US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[10] 34
US Rap Albums (Billboard)[11] 21
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[12] 28

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ "Real Life Fantasy - Single by Ja Rule". iTunes. 13 December 2011.
  3. ↑ Horowitz, Steven (December 9, 2011). "Ja Rule Delays "Pain Is Love 2" To 2012". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  4. ↑ Greene, Andy (December 6, 2013). "Ten Sequel Albums That Didn't Live Up to the Original". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  5. ↑ A. Jacobs (March 7, 2012). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/4/2012". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "PIL 2 - Ja Rule". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Tardio, Andres (March 5, 2012). "Ja Rule - Pain Is Love 2". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Pete T. (March 20, 2012). "Ja Rule :: PIL 2 :: MPire/Fontana Distribution". RapReviews. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Ja Rule Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Ja Rule Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Ja Rule Album & Song Chart History: Rap Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Ja Rule Album & Song Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
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