Biography

Early years

Eve's first musical interest was singing. During her early years, she sang in many choirs and even made an all-female singing group (Dope Girl Posse or D.G.P.) with a manager. This group covered songs from En Vogue and Color Me Badd. After the group's manager saw the rap group ABC, they suggested that the group raps and Eve stuck with it. She then went on to form a rapping group. She is also known to be Muslim, following the religion of Islam. "Islam is a beautiful religion. But right now, with my career and my life, I can’t live the Sunni Muslim way. I refuse to be a hypocrite and cover my head on Friday, go pray, and then the rest of the week I’m out cursing and drinking–and performing. So right now I’m just comfortable with God." - Eve, female rapper and member of Ruff Ryders, in an interview.

Eve The First Lady of Ruff Ryders (1998-1999)

After a period of working as a stripper, Eve returned to hip-hop at the encouragement of rap superstar Ma$e; she recorded "Eve of Destruction", which appeared on the soundtrack to Bulworth in 1998 (see 1998 in music). Her label, Aftermath Records, found itself in financial trouble and Eve was soon without a record contract. She had, however, befriended DMX and appeared on a remix of his hit single "Ruff Ryders Anthem" from his multi platinum selling debut album, It's Dark and Hell is Hot, along with other Ruff Ryders' compilations. Her next single, "What Ya Want", featuring Nokio of Dru Hill, didn't do so well on the charts, so she collaborated with The Roots, Blackstreet and Janet Jackson, which further expanded her fan base. Her 1999 debut, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady, was an unprecedented success, becoming the second hip-hop album by a woman to enter the Billboard 200 at #1 (the first was by Brooklyn rapper, Foxy Brown).

Scorpion (2001)

The follow-up to Let There Be Eve, Scorpion, was released in 2001. Its first single, "Who's That Girl" guaranteed the rapper first international success. The second single, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (with Gwen Stefani of No Doubt) and produced by Dr. Dre, became a pop success, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and Scorpion eventually went platinum.

One of the record's strengths, cited in several reviews, was Eve's exploration of her singing voice in addition to her rapping skills. "I was a singer before I started rapping," Eve said in a Ruff Ryders press release, "so on this album I wanted my audience to hear more of my vocal skills."

Eve-Olution (2002-2003)

Eve's third album, Eve-Olution, was released in summer 2002 (see 2002 in music) and peaked at #6 on Billboard. In the meantime, the album's first single, "Gangsta Lovin'", with Alicia Keys, became another #2 hit. The second and final single, "Satisfaction", only saw moderate success again. Eve-Olution was a flop and became Eve's worst selling album to date. Afterwards, Eve closed out 2003 by signing to UPN for a television show about a fashion designer titled, Eve, and a feature on Mary J. Blige's single, "Not Today".

Guest singles (2005-2007)

In 2005, the rapper appeared on Gwen Stefani's top ten hit "Rich Girl", which peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March. The same year, she appeared on the remix of Amerie's #1 U.S. R&B hit, "1 Thing" the Hitch soundtrack.

In 2007, she appeared on Kelly Rowland's single "Like This", while Punk Cabaret band, One On None, covered Eve's song "Love Is Blind". In July 2007, Eve made a guest appearance on Maroon 5's second single Wake Up Call on Live @ 45th at Night, it is unknown if this will be an official remix or if it will even be recorded.

Here I Am (2008)

Currently, Eve is working on her fourth solo album Here I Am, due for release early 2008. Those rumored to be involved with the album are Timbaland, Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz and Scott Storch. Slated to make guest appearances are Adam Levine, Sean Paul, Swizz Beatz, Shakira, and possibly Gwen Stefani.

The first single "Tambourine" from Tambourine was released in April 2007. The second single"Give It to You" featuring Sean Paul. This song is reggae-influenced breezy mid-tempo song. Eve has stated that the third single may be a song called "All Night Long". This song is an 80s-pop influenced song that Eve sings rather than raps. "All Night Long" was produced by Pharrell and finds Eve singing, something the rapper had previously been reluctant to undertake despite persuasion from her label.

"Pharrell made me sing a whole song. I finally got up the nerve [but] I feel like I was bullied into it," she jokes. "But it's one of my favorite songs on the album. I was really stressed about it but it was fun to do. I consider myself somebody who can maybe hold a note on a good day. I sang hooks before, which is super easy, but I had to get out of my comfort zones."

An insider review of "All Night Long" said:
"Very different than Eve's usual style. It sounds like an '80s pop song. She tries out her singing skills here and she succeeds. They are no crazy, over the top vocals, but she sings much better than most so called songstress' today. The beat is pretty much good, and the lyrics are above average, but the chorus gets repitive (Make it last all night long/baby baby all night long). This should be the third single".

Reggae artist Sizzla is also featured on a song and Eve is currently lining up another reggae cameo. "I listen to reggae all the time. It's always been my favorite music because of the melodies," she says. "I also listen to a lot of Brazilian music [and] a little bit of rock, so I wanted to bring all those elements, along with hip-hop."

Acting career (2004-present)

Eve appeared in XXX with Vin Diesel, both Barbershop and Barbershop 2: Back in Business with Ice Cube, The Cookout with Queen Latifah and Meagan Good, and The Woodsman with Kevin Bacon in mid 2004. She also voiced Major Jones in the video game XIII. She also voiced one of the villains of the short-lived Spiderman cartoon on MTV.

In 2003, Eve starred in the UPN television sitcom, Eve, as a fashion designer named Shelly. The show lasted three seasons until it was cancelled May 2006.

DUI arrest

On April 26, 2007, Eve was arrested due to suspicion of driving under the influence after she crashed her silver Maserati into a divider on Hollywood Boulevard. The crash happened at 2:45 a.m. and two other people were in the car at the time of the crash. Eve was visibly upset after getting out of the car. She was then transported to the Los Angeles County Correctional Facility and was held on $30,000 bail. She received a visit from actor Sean Penn while in jail and was let out later that morning. She was due back in court May 30, 2007. Eve has been told she must wear an alcohol-detecting ankle bracelet for 45 days after she pleaded no contest to drunk driving in a Los Angeles court. The rapper must also attend 10 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, a three-month alcohol education program and appear in court to verify that she is using the alcohol detection monitor.

Discography

Albums

Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady

• Released: 1999
• Certification: 2x platinum

Scorpion

• Released: 2001
• Certification: Platinum

Eve-Olution

• Released: 2002
• Certification: Gold

Here I Am

• To be Released: 2008
• Certification: TBA

Top-ten hits

Awards and nominations

• American Music Awards
  • 2003, Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist (Nominated)
  • 2000, Favorite R&B/Hip-Hop New Artist (Nominated)

• BET Awards
  • 2003, Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (Nominated)
  • 2001, Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (Winner)

• BET Comedy Awards
  • 2005, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: "Eve" (Nominated)
  • 2004, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Box-Office Movie: Barbershop 2: Back in Business (Nominated)

• Black Reel Award
  • 2005, Best Actress Independent Film: The Woodsman (Nominated)

• Grammy Awards
  • 2006, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Rich Girl" w/ Gwen Stefani (Nominated)
  • 2003, Best Female Rap Solo Performance: "Satisfaction" (Nominated)
  • 2002, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" w/ Gwen Stefani (Winner)
  • 2002, Best Rap Album: Scorpion (Nominated)

• Image Awards
  • 2005, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: "Eve" (Nominated)
  • 2004, Outstanding Music Duo or Group (with Mary J. Blige) (Nominated)
  • 2003, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Barbershop (Nominated)

• Lady of Soul Awards
  • 2001, Best Music Video: "Who's That Girl" (Nominated)
  • 2000, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist: "Gotta Man" (Nominated)
  • 2000, Best R&B/Soul Female Solo Album of the Year: Let There Be Light (Nominated)
  • 2000, Best Music Video: "Love Is Blind" (Nominated)

• MTV Movie Awards
  • 2003, Best Female Breakthrough Performance: Barbershop (Nominated)

• MTV Video Music Awards
  • 2007, Best Choreography: "Tambourine" (Nominee)
  • 2001, Best Female Video: "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with Gwen Stefani (Winner)
  • 2001, Viewer's Choice: "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with Gwen Stefani (Nominated)
  • 2001, Best Hip-Hop Video: "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with Gwen Stefani (Nominated)
  • 2000, Best Rap Video: "Love Is Blind" (Nominated)

• MOBO Awards
  • 2001, Best Hip-Hop Act (Nominated)

• Soul Train Awards
  • 2000, Best New R&B/Soul or Rap Artist: "Gotta Man" (Nominated)
  • 2000, Best Music Video: "Hot Boyz" with Missy Elliott, Nas, & Lil' Mo (Nominated)