According to the New York Daily News, Ja Rule seems to be “livin’ it up” in the Big House. The 36-year-old rap star from Queens, New York, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, is serving a two-year sentence for gun possession and tax evasion—but you couldn’t tell by the smile on his face. Best known for hits such as “Always On Time” and “Put It On Me,” Rule has kept a positive spirit while being in the bing—even making some new friends.

The married father of three says that he’s made some friends he probably wouldn’t have in his Murder Inc. circle otherwise: disgraced New York politician Alan Hevesi and former Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski. Affectionately, Ja Rule even gave his two new buddies some nicknames: “Hevey D” and “Koz.” Commenting exclusively to NY Daily News from Mid-State Correctional Facility in Oneida, N.Y., Ja Rule said, “Outside, you don’t meet guys like this every day. This place is amazing!”

While it doesn’t appear to us that the Queens rapper is advocating jail as a place to find a BFF, it is not surprising that Mr. Atkins is finding comfort amongst the movers and shakers—even if they’re the convicted criminal type. The rapper, who will be released from confinement in 2013, plans to release a new album (Pain Is Love 2) later this month. But should he focus on making Venni Vetti Vecci 2 featuring his new comrades-in-arms?