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.