Rapper Ja Rule Arrested

U.S. rapper Ja Rule is to appear in a Toronto court Monday to face assault charges, Toronto police said in a release. The megastar, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, turned himself in early Monday.

Police said the charges stem from an incident at a Toronto nightclub on June 5.

Atkins, 28, is charged with assault causing bodily harm.

The rapper was arrested earlier this month in New York City for marijuana possession. He paid $550 in fines and court fees, and the misdemeanor possession charge was dropped.

As the flagship artist for the Murder Inc. label, Ja Rule's career exploded in 1999 with the hit single "Holla, Holla."

Best known for his gruff voice and trademark phrase "Murda," the New York native later mellowed his hardcore style to do a series of 2002 pop-friendly duets with stars Jennifer Lopez ("I'm Real" and "Ain't It Funny") and Ashanti ("Always on Time").

He's also collaborated with fellow hip-hop stars Case and Jay-Z for the singles "Livin' it Up" and "Can I Get A ...," respectively.

His 2001 album, "Pain is Love," was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for best rap album.

The single "Livin' It Up" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for best rap/sung collaboration, while "Always On Time" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for best rap/sung collaboration.

He also has a minor acting career, most notably a role in 2001 in "The Fast and the Furious."

His multi-platinum success and multi-media exposure has positioned him as a key rival to fellow gansta rapper-turned actor DMX.