Ja Rule hasn’t exactly impressed hip-hop fans in recent years but his new single, “Real Life Fantasy” has the potential to push him back into the realm of lyrical respectability. The song is deeply personal and somewhat regretful, reflecting on celebrity and his own choices throughout his life and career. The sample from Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and hard beat work perfectly with the tone. The song is from Pain is Love 2, his newest album which will be released the day before the rapper reports to prison for a two-year jail sentence.

Ja actually pleaded guilty to a felony gun possession charge in December but was allowed to delay the date he reported to jail in order to finish his album and deal with tax troubles. His time behind bars starts on June 8, but it’s good to see that he’s getting some good music out before that.