New York's Finest is bringing the heat on rappers packing heat.
Hours after Ja Rule made a surprise guest appearance at Lil Wayne's much-hyped concert Sunday night, billed as the latter's Big Apple debut, both emcees capped the evening by getting collared on separate weapons charges.
A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said that Ja Rule (real name: Jeff Atkins) was busted for speeding around 10:30 p.m. That was just moments after he left the Beacon Theater, where he had joined Lil' Wayne for the aptly titled "Uh Oh." A search of the 31-year-old rapper's vehicle turned up a .40-caliber pistol. Ja Rule was taken into custody and charged with criminal possession of a weapon.
About an hour later, officers pulled over Lil Wayne's tour bus not far from the concert venue and allegedly caught the 24-year-old performer (born Dwayne Carter) smoking ganja with a companion. Upon further investigation, officers discovered a .40-caliber handgun and the two men were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana.
No word yet on an arraignment date or if the duo have posted bail. A message left with NYPD's central booking was not returned. There was no immediate comment from their record company, Universal Music.
According to MTV, before the gig got underway, both Ja Rule and Lil Wayne and their various posses, including Diplomats member Jim Jones and The Inc. kingpin Irv Gotti, were seen hanging around outside the Beacon. The concert hall was brimming with both police and private security, who reportedly gave Jones a tough time getting in, upsetting Wayne.
On stage, the New Orleans native hinted at the constant police watch, telling the crowd that they better enjoy the show because he didn't know if he'll be allowed back in New York anytime soon.
"I just went through the worst f---in' feelin' ever with y'all police," Wayne said, per MTV. "This may be one of the only times you see me because of how they treated me."
Rule, who has previously feuded with the likes of Fiddy, Eminem and the Game, is best-known for such albums as Pain Is Love, The Last Temptation and R.U.L.E., as well as the hits "Livin' It Up" and "Wonderful."
Lil Wayne, who was arrested a year ago in Atlanta for possession of marijuana and prescription medication, is famed for his collaborations with such artists as Jay-Z, Wyclef, OutKast, and Juvenile, as well as the solo hits as "Go DJ" and "Money on My Mind."