The rapper performed in New Jersey Friday night, and after perhaps sensing some hostility in the air over his portrayal in the recent Fyre Festival documentaries … he tried to nip it in the bud.

He jokingly told the crowd he knew they might be a little mad at him, but added … “We ain’t going to do this sh*t for the rest of the year!”

So, he got them all to repeat, “F**k you, Ja Rule!” three times instead. Then he said, “F**k y’all, too,” and launched into a song.