EVE in the Music Spotlight

FAST FACTS

Full Name: Eve Jihan Jeffers
D.O.B.: 10th November, 1979
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, USA

Occupation: Singer/Songwriter/Rap Artist

Latest Release(s): Eve-Olution (Album)
Gangsta Lovin' feat. Alicia Keys (Single)

Discography

EVE ALBUMS/SINGLES

Eve-Olution
Gangsta Lovin' (feat. Alicia Keys)
Let Me Blow Ya Mind (feat. Gwen Stefani)
Scorpion
Who's That Girl
Eve: First Lady of the Ruff Ryders

GUEST APPEARANCES

Ruff Ryders - Ryde or Die Vol. 3
Mary J. Blige - No More Drama
Prince - Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
Missy Elliot - Miss E…So Addictive
Styles - A Gangster & A Gentleman
City High - City High
Beanie Sigel - The Truth
Snoop Dogg - Tha Last Meal
Any Given Sunday - The Soundtrack
Drag-On - Opposite of H2o
Girl Fight - The Music From The Motion Picture
Ruff Ryders - Ryde or Die Vol. 1
WCW Mayhem - The Music
Bulworth - The Soundtrack

Awards

Grammy nomination for "Best Rap Album" (Scorpion)
Grammy award for "Best Female Rapper" and "Best Rap-Sung Collaboration" (Let Me Blow Ya Mind).

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You only have to listen to an EVE album to realise and appreciate the huge talent of this successful singer/songwriter/rap artist. The lady referred to as simply Eve (surname not necessary!), has become a stylish trendsetter for many, both onstage and behind the scenes. Describing herself as a "pit bull in a skirt", this self-assured and overly confident American artist certainly has attitude and lots of it, as is clearly evident in her music.

While she is a capable singer, Eve's true talent lies in her unique lyrical rhymes. As early as third grade, Eve was winning school merit awards for her short stories, plays and poems. In her teens she was part of a 5-piece singing group which covered tunes by En Vogue and Color Me Badd.

After her brief stint with the group, Eve was then introduced to the art of rapping by her then manager, and enjoyed a number of performances as part of the trio EDGP. After the group disbanded, Eve began her pursuit of a solo career and adopted the stage name - Eve of Destruction. Playing at local clubs, parties and talent quests earned Eve recognition. Her foray into the male-dominated hip-hop world seemed like a natural progression for this self-confessed tomboy.

Eve's big break into the music industry came when she auditioned for well-known producer Dr Dre. He was so impressed with her rapping, he offered to work with her immediately. A three-song demo tape cut by Dr Dre followed and one of the three songs "Eve of Destruction" featured on the 'Bulworth' Soundtrack.

Eve later partnered up with fellow rapper DMX and landed herself a recording contract with the Ruff Ryders. Appearing on two of their albums and at numerous award ceremonies and concerts, Eve was fast establishing herself as an exciting new talent. So hot was this gal, that by the time her debut single "Want Ya Want" and debut album was released, Eve had already been identified as being one of the most important rap artists of 1999.

Eve's critically acclaimed debut album "Eve: Ruff Ryder's First Lady" sold almost 2 million copies. It was the platinum-plus success of this first album, which saw Eve's male counterparts re-evaluate their opinions of females in the hip-hop scene.

Respected, loved and admired by both critics and fans alike, Eve continues to be held up as a positive role model for women in hip-hop and is a shining example of how women can be strong without compromising their dignity.

Her distinct and sometimes confronting style has earned her a Grammy nomination for "Best Rap Album" (Scorpion) as well as awards for "Best Female Rapper" and "Best Rap-Sung Collaboration" for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind". It was this song which propelled Eve forward and enabled her to cross over and reach a wider audience.

Her latest album "Eve-Olution" features the same quirky beats and honest lyrics we have come to expect from an artist who dares to go where no other woman has gone. Surprises on the album include guest vocals by R&B performers Alicia Keys and Truth Hurts. Following her album release, Eve will also be hitting our screens in the movies "XXX" and "Barbershop".

A stylish and original artist, it seems that Eve is nobody's woman but her own.


- Annemarie Failla