Rapper Ja Rule is collaborating with shoe designer Steve Madden on a range of footwear.

Ja Rule has launched a shoe collection with Steve Madden.

The Grammy Award winning rapper – real name Jeffrey Atkins – has teamed with the shoe designer to create a line of bold sneakers, dress shoes and motorcycle-style footwear in soft nappa, nubuck leather and suede designs.

He said: “I wanted to partner with Steve to create a line that was both stylish and affordable.

“I love all the styles, but my favorites, I would have to say, are the high-top nubuck sneaker, the brush-off chelsea boot. The Maven motorcycle-style boot is something different from anything out there.”

It will be the first fashion venture for the 39-year-old singer – who was released from prison in 2013 after serving two years for gun and drug charges and tax evasion – but Steve says he’s excited to work with the ‘Pain is Love’ hitmaker because musicians bring a “creative spark” to the table.

He said: “He came to the table with all of these ideas. He’s an awesome guy, we click. It’s been fun to collaborate with artists. I enjoy it. I enjoy the creative spark.”

The collection is priced from £92 ($145) to £125 ($195) and will be available at select Steve Madden stores, SteveMadden.com, Macy’s, Dillard’s and other speciality retailers from September.