Rappers freestyle with food

Ja Rule proved in 2001 he was “Livin’ It Up” in “Pain Is Love,” the album that simultaneously dismayed my parents and captured my elementary-school-aged heart.

Since then, he fell off the radar for me, except for when I’d reminisce and put “Always On Time” on a party playlist.

But Ja Rule has been in the news lately and has once again captured my interest — not for his music, but for his supposed new project — a microwave cookbook.

At first I wondered whether Ashanti would feature in any of the recipes.

Upon further research, it appears this cookbook may simply be a joke. But during this research, I stumbled across links to other rappers’ cookbooks, because apparently, this is à la mode these days.

Rappers are freestyling more than just lyrics.

This September, 2 Chainz released a 30-page digital cookbook with “B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time” that features "fancy" dishes, like pan-seared sea bass with heirloom tomato salsa.

Aside from the “Me Time sauce” recipe, which includes instructions to “Go to the mall, spend a handful of racks on a new outfit for the night,” I was impressed with this book of his supposed on-tour meals.

I can’t imagine he or any rapper normally eats like this while on tour, but maybe he really is different like he says.

But 2 Chainz didn’t start this trend.

In 2009, Coolio introduced the world to “ghetto gourmet” cuisine, which features delicacies like Chicken Lettuce Blunts (lettuce wraps).

Personally, I’m waiting for Action Bronson to dish out some recipes, because if all his cooking is as good as the lamb burgers he made for his VICE video, he’d please my palate.

I view these cookbooks more as a funny trend than books with real panache, but it’s one I hope will continue for my personal entertainment.

Kanye West, I’m looking at you — I know the Association of French Bakers says one must be patient to enjoy a flaky, buttery croissant, but if you’re really Yeezus, hurry up and come up with a fast croissant recipe.

— acarnold@indiana.edu

Follow columnist Amanda Arnold on Twitter @aMandolinz.