The Last Temptation (Ja Rule album)

The Last Temptation
The Last Temptation
Studio album by Ja Rule
Released	November 19, 2002
Recorded	2002
Studio	Hit Factory Criteria (Miami), The Crackhouse (New York City, New York)
Genre	Hardcore hip-hop
Length	54:46
Label	Murder Inc.; Def Jam; Island Def Jam;
Producer	Irv Gotti (also exec.); Ja Rule (also exec.); 7 Aurelius; Chink Santana; The Neptunes; Cool & Dre;
Ja Rule chronology
Singles from The Last Temptation
	"Thug Lovin'"; Released: November 4, 2002; "Mesmerize"; Released: December 16, 2002; "Reign"; Released: June 30, 2003;

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	57/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Blender
RapReviews	6/10
NME
MVRemix Urban	3.5/10

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 Blender's 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.