Always on Time

"Always on Time" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule from his third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). Produced by Irv Gotti, it was written by Ja Rule, 7 Aurelius, and Gotti. Originally set to feature Brandy,^[1] it features guest vocals from singer-songwriter and labelmate Ashanti. The song was released as the album's second single on November 27, 2001, through Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings and Gotti's Murder Inc. Records.

"Always on Time"
Single by Ja Rule featuring Ashanti
from the album Pain Is Love
B-side	"I Cry"
Released	November 27, 2001 (2001-11-27)
Studio	The Crackhouse (New York City)
Length	4:05
Label	Def Jam Murder Inc.
Songwriter(s)	Jeffrey Atkins 7 Aurelius Irving Lorenzo
Producer(s)	Irv Gotti
Ja Rule singles chronology
"Livin' It Up" (2001) "Always on Time" (2001) "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)" (2002)
Ashanti singles chronology
"Just Like a Thug" (2001) "Always on Time" (2001) "What's Luv?" (2002)
Music video
"Always on Time" on YouTube

"Always on Time" spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in February and March of 2002, becoming Ja Rule's highest-charting single as lead artist. It was Ashanti's first mainstream number-one, and Ja Rule's second after he was featured on Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" from her sophomore album J. Lo (2001). Coincidentally, the lyrics of "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" were penned by Ashanti, with the track featuring her background vocals as well. Several months later, Ja Rule and Lopez would appear on another song penned by Ashanti, "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)".

In 2009, "Always on Time" was named the 33rd most-successful song of the 2000s on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and the 82nd most-successful song of the 2000s on the mainstream Hot 100.

Background

The beat for "Always on Time" was created by producer 7 Aurelius. As Ja Rule explained to Billboard: "7 had this CD and he threw it in the garbage, Gotti. I was like, “Yo, what the fuck are you doing?” He was like, “I ain't fuck[ing] with them shits.” I took [that] shit out the garbage and I took it home and wrote three or four records to songs on there. Two of them came to be hits, with one being “Always On Time” and the other being [[[Mary J. Blige]]'s] “Rainy Dayz.” I had a studio in my crib. We thought about putting other people on it at first, but I was like, “Baby sis [Ashanti] is here and we could do it with her.” She had [done] one record at that point, which I think was the Big Pun [“How We Roll”] joint, but she didn't have any visibility on the record. That was a good moment."^[2]

Track listings

UK CD1[3] "Always on Time" (LP version) "Always on Time" (radio version) "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo) "Always on Time" (full length video) UK CD2 and European CD single[4] "Always on Time" (radio edit) "Always on Time" (explicit album version) UK cassette single[5] "Always on Time" (radio version) "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo)

UK 12-inch single[6] A1. "Always on Time" (LP version) B1. "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo) B2. "Always on Time" (radio version) Australasian CD single[7] "Always on Time" (radio edit) "Always on Time" (explicit album version) "Always on Time" (instrumental) "Always on Time" (video)

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Pain Is Love album booklet.^[8]

Studios

• Recorded at The Crackhouse (New York City)
• Mixed at The Hit Factory (New York City)
• Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)

Personnel

• Ja Rule – writing (as Jeffrey Atkins)
• 7 Aurelius – writing, all instruments, mixing
• Irv Gotti – writing (as Irving Lorenzo), production, mixing
• Ashanti – featured vocals, additional vocals
• Milwaukee Buck – recording
• Glen Marchese – mix engineering
• Brian Gardner – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Always on Time" Chart (2001–2002) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[9] 3 Australian Urban (ARIA)[10] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[12] 26 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[13] 16 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14] 33 France (SNEP)[15] 45 Germany (GfK)[16] 22 Ireland (IRMA)[17] 22 Italy (FIMI)[18] 29 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[19] 12 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 11 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] 2 Norway (VG-lista)[22] 17 Scotland (OCC)[23] 18 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 45 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 4 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[26] 2 UK Singles (OCC)[27] 6 US Billboard Hot 100[28] 1 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[29] 16 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30] 1 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[31] 4 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[32] 5 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[33] 1 US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard)[34] 4

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Always on Time" Chart (2002) Position Australia (ARIA)[35] 60 Australian Urban (ARIA)[36] 20 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[37] 94 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[38] 97 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[39] 78 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[40] 82 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[41] 47 UK Singles (OCC)[42] 64 UK Airplay (Music Week)[43] 15 UK Urban (Music Week)[44] 25 US Billboard Hot 100[45] 12 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[46] 7 US Hot Rap Tracks (Billboard)[47] 2 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[48] 36 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[49] 5 Decade-end charts Decade-end chart performance for "Always on Time" Chart (2000–2009) Position US Billboard Hot 100[50] 82 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[51] 33

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Always on Time"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52]	Gold	35,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[53]	Gold	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[54]	Platinum	602,000[55]
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Always on Time"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	November 27, 2001	Rhythmic contemporary urban radio	Murder Inc. Def Jam	[56]
United Kingdom	January 21, 2002	CD cassette		[57]
United States	January 28, 2002	Contemporary hit radio		[58]
Australia	April 1, 2002	CD		[59]

See also

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2002
• List of number-one R&B singles of 2002 (U.S.)

References

1. Ortiz, Edwin (May 1, 2014). "Watch Ashanti Talk About Her Career Highlights and Working with Ja Rule and Fat Joe on Complex TV's #TBT". Complex. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
2. Lamarre, Carl (March 24, 2022). "Ja Rule & Irv Gotti Break Down Their 2002 Hot 100 Takeover: 'It's Cool Now to Love Murder Inc.'". Billboard.
3. Always on Time (UK CD1 liner notes). Ja Rule. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 588 946-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. Always on Time (UK CD2 & European CD single liner notes). Ja Rule. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 588 795-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
5. Always on Time (UK cassette single sleeve). Ja Rule. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 588 946-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. Always on Time (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Ja Rule. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 588 946-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. Always on Time (Australasian CD single liner notes). Ja Rule. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 588 929-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. Pain Is Love (US CD album booklet). Ja Rule. Murder Inc., Def Jam Recordings. 2001. 384 586 437-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
10. "Issue 633" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
11. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
12. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
13. "Ja Rule Chart History". Billboard.
14. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 19. May 4, 2002. p. 15. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
15. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
16. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Always on Time". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
18. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time". Top Digital Download. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
19. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
20. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
21. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
22. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time". VG-lista. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
23. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
24. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
25. "Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always on Time". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
26. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
27. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
28. "Ja Rule Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
29. "Ashanti Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
30. "Ja Rule Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
31. "Ja Rule Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
32. "Ja Rule Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
33. "Ja Rule Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
34. "Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 9. March 2, 2002. p. 85.
35. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2002". ARIA. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
36. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2002". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
37. "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
38. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 2–3. January 11, 2003. p. 14. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
39. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
40. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
41. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved January 27, 2020.
42. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
43. "Most Broadcast of 2002 — Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week. January 18, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
44. "Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2002" (PDF). Music Week. January 18, 2003. p. 32. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
45. "Billboard Top 100 – 2002". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
46. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
47. "The Year in Music 2002: Hot Rap Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. December 28, 2002. p. YE-52.
48. "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
49. "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 22.
50. "The Decade in Music – Hot 100 Songs" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 50. December 19, 2009. p. 160. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
51. "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. December 31, 2009. Retrieved January 14, 2012.^{[permanent dead link]}
52. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
53. "Brazilian single certifications – Ja Rule – Always on Time" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
54. "British single certifications – Ja Rule ft Ashanti – Always on Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
55. Copsey, Rob (January 28, 2020). "Ashanti's Top 10 biggest hits on the Official UK Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
56. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1429. November 23, 2001. pp. 40, 48. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
57. "Reviews – For Records Released on January 14/21" (PDF). Music Week. January 12, 2002. p. 9. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
58. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1437. January 25, 2002. p. 31. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
59. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 1st April 2002" (PDF). ARIA. April 1, 2002. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 23, 2002. Retrieved April 28, 2021.