(New York-AP) Nov. 4, 2003 — Ja Rule says he and 50 Cent have had more just than a war of words.

He says he and his fellow rappers have literally fought each other — at least twice.

He says the first time was in Atlanta — when a mutual friend said 50 wanted to speak with him.

He says during the chat with 50 Cent, the rapper sucker-punched him — and they went at it. He says that was “when the real beef started.”

Ja Rule says the second fight was when he and 50 ended up at The Hit Factory — a New York City production studio. In his remarks, Farrakhan called for an end to the feud — saying it has the potential to destroy hip-hop.

Farrakhan says he believes the dispute is being fueled by the media and by a government plot to declare war on young blacks who might take sides in a feud between two artists.

Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press