Recorded 1998 Length 4:24
2:55 (remix) | Genre East Coast hip hop Label Murder, Inc., Def Jam | |
Released March 2, 1999 (1999-03-02) Format CD single
cassette
12" single | ||
"Holla Holla" is the debut single by American rapper Ja Rule from his debut studio album Venni Vetti Vecci. It was produced by Irv Gotti and Ty Fyffe. The music video was directed by Hype Williams and Irv Gotti.
Contents
A remix and released as the albums third single it featured, Jay-Z, Vita, Caddillac Tah, Black Child, Memphis Bleek and Busta Rhymes, the latter of which would later feud with Ja Rule.
Background and composition
After Ja Rule finalized the recording of his debut studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), Def Jam – Ja Rule's record label – did not consider any song on the album worthy of marketing as a single. Despite Ja Rule's surprise at this proclamation, admitting in an interview with Complex magazine that he "didn’t grasp the idea of making a radio record", he resumed recording sessions to compose what would become "Holla Holla": it would transpire to be the final song recorded for Venni Vetti Vecci. Ja Rule's rapping on "Holla Holla" employs what he described as his "stutter flow", with the repetition of certain words to increase the volume of lyrics.
Reception
Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Soren Baker felt that "Holla Holla" demonstrates Ja Rule's ability to use "his edgy voice and the spectacular instrumentation that backs him".
Track listing
- "Holla Holla" (Street Version)
- "Holla Holla" (Instrumental)
- "BJ Skit"
- "It's Murda" (Street Version)
- "It's Murda" (Instrumental)
- "Kill 'Em All" (Street Version)