Why did you decide to use ‘Jeffrey Atkins’ instead of Ja Rule in the credits of this movie?
You know, to me, that’s kind of an honor to get your name up on the big screen because, you know, they don’t want to do it. I’ve been trying to get them to put Jeffrey Atkins on the screen. I’ve been trying to get them to put Jeff Ja Rule Atkins on the screen and they’re like, “No one knows Jeff Atkins. JA RULE, big letters, right there. There you go.” You know? So I take that as kind of an honor.
How did you convince them to do it this time?
I didn’t. I just asked them and they did it this time. They was cool with it.
So maybe that symbolizes you’re moving up?
(Laughing) Yeah, moving up a little bit. Moving out of the Ja Rule - Rapper to Jeff Atkins - The Actor.
Is acting something you want to take more seriously?
Oh yeah. Oh yeah. I’m definitely gonna dive into more things. I want to write some screenplays and bring some original stuff to the forefront, you know?
What kind of screenplays?
My mind wanders. Like, I’m scared of myself sometimes. You know what I mean? So there’s no telling what… Like I – never mind. I mean, forget it. Nah, I was going to tell you about this idea for a movie that I had but it might sound crazy to y’all right now so I’m just going to leave it alone. It may be genius in another five years, who knows? But right now, I’d sound like a raving lunatic so I’m just going to leave it alone for the moment.
Not even a hint of what it is?
It’s called “Origin Earth.” I’ll just give you the hint to that.
Is it sci-fi?
Yeah.
If you could cast yourself in a role, what type of role would you cast yourself in?
I don’t know. You know, I want to do different things. But I think my music fans, my hip hop fans, I think they’ll most likely want to see me in like a romantic kind of action type of drama movie. I’ve done one, I just haven’t put it out yet. It’s called “Back in the Day” with me and Ving Rhames. It’s a good movie.
If you had to choose between music and acting, which one would it be?
Music’s my first love. I know I can’t rap forever but, you know, I do other things. I write for other artists. I’m going to do music for a long time I feel in my heart.
Why do you write for other artists? What do you get out of it artistically?
Oh, well you know, no rapper’s ever done that. Wrote R&B records for R&B artists, so when I do that, it’s like something else. It’s another fulfillment because I’m the first. You know what I mean? And I’ve done well at it. I’ve written big records for a lot of artists. It’s cool to be the first rapper to do something because they all come in and do it [afterwards]. Like, you know, you’re not going to be alone for long. Not in the rap [industry], I tell you.
Is it more difficult to be an actor because as a musician, you’re more in control of your material?
That’s tough. That’s the tough part about making the switch from music to acting is I am in control of everything I do, when I do music. And then when you get over to the acting, it’s you’re playing these characters and it’s the director’s vision.
How is it being back on the music scene?
I do what I do, making records. I love it. I love what I do.
