Ja Rule is finally speaking openly about the physical altercation that took place backstage during Brandy and Monica’s tour stop in New York City, admitting that he was indeed struck from behind — and he believes race played a major role in how the incident has been handled.

The rapper addressed the situation during an Instagram Live session on Sunday morning. According to Ja Rule, he was backstage with members of his crew and preparing to go onstage as part of Brandy and Monica’s highly anticipated, star-studded cameo lineup when the incident occurred. He claims that three unidentified men suddenly attacked him, striking him in the back of the head. The blow caused him to fall to the ground, where a brief scuffle followed.

Initially, Ja Rule had dismissed reports of the incident as exaggerated or outright fake news, suggesting that an attack had merely been attempted rather than carried out. However, he has now acknowledged that a physical confrontation did take place, clarifying the details directly with his fans.

Recently released rapper Max B was also backstage at the time, leading to online speculation about his possible involvement. Ja Rule was quick to shut down those rumors, firmly stating that Max B had nothing to do with the altercation and publicly clearing him of any responsibility.

Ja Rule placed much of the blame for the spread of misinformation on blogger Tasha K, accusing her of fueling false narratives about the incident. He has even gone as far as threatening legal action over what he describes as irresponsible reporting. Despite the attack, Ja said he refuses to name or identify his assailants, explaining that he does not want to give them attention or “clout” for a cowardly sneak attack.

The 49-year-old rapper went on to broaden the conversation, pointing out what he sees as a double standard in how violence is treated at Hip Hop and predominantly Black concerts compared to events in white-dominated genres such as country, pop, or rock. Ja Rule argued that if he were a white rock legend — specifically referencing Bruce Springsteen — the situation would likely have been handled far differently.

According to Ja, a high-profile white artist would not only be better protected but would also see swift consequences for anyone responsible for an assault. He expressed frustration that, in his view, similar incidents involving Black artists are often minimized or ignored, leaving victims without accountability or justice.

Ja Rule’s comments have since sparked debate online, reigniting discussions about race, security, and unequal treatment within the live music industry — issues that continue to resonate far beyond this single backstage confrontation.