Always On Time

This tale of relationship trials and tribulations was the first hit that the then little-known Ashanti was involved with. Ja Rule had originally planned to record this as a solo song, before Murder Inc boss Irv Gotti persuaded him to collaborate with Ashanti.

This became Def Jam's top selling single.

"If you listen to the track, it had these chords that just punch you right in the face," says Ja Rule, who handpicked the tune from five instrumental tracks written by producer 7 Aurelius. Irv Gotti didn't like it, but Ja didn't have time to argue, as the track was on its way out to Brandy.