Interviews

MTV Radio: Compare working on Scorpion to your first LP.

Eve: Working on the first album was a little different then this time around. I was fresh out of the bag, I was just running crazy. The second album took a little longer just because I had to make sure I was extremely happy with everything. I had a lot more to do with this album artistically. I love the first one, but this one is grown-up. [laughs]

MTV: Was your increased involvement the reason it took so long to finish this album?

Eve: I think so. My tracks were done early. My music was finished. Writing is nothing for me. It was after I was finished that I took the songs and I listened to them over and over and over again. I said, "Something needs to be changed. The mixes aren't right, I could say this better, I could do my lyrics over, let's make a new hook." I just critiqued it a little more and tweaked it better. I had to make it so when it comes out, I'm not regretting anything.

MTV: Was there anything from the first album that you would have changed?

Eve: No, not one thing.

MTV: What's the meaning behind the title of the new album?

Eve: Q-Tip said I should name it Scorpio. I thought, "I don't really like that name, but it would be kind of hot because I am a Scorpio." That represents me, and I did want a name that represented Eve and who I am as a person. I thought Scorpion sounded feminine and strong also. Scorpios are known to be strong, very passionate, loyal, moody and jealous. I am every aspect of a Scorpio. It describes who I am, a Scorpio woman.

MTV: Do you pack a scorpion's sting?

Eve: I'm coming after anybody that feels like trying to get in my way. That's women, men, whatever. You'll feel the sting, believe me.

MTV: The first single is "Who's That Girl." Is that a reference to the Madonna movie?

Eve: No, it's not actually. I need to go get that movie, 'cause people keep asking me and I love her to death. But I didn't think about it until I did the song and people were asking me that question.

Eve hangs with the Marleys, reunites with Dre and makes sweet music with Stevie J. ...

MTV: You worked with some producers outside of the Ruff Ryders on this album, including Dr. Dre and Stephen Marley. How did that work out?

Eve: The Marleys are just beautiful, peaceful people who are very into their work When I met them, I did a special with them for their father in Jamaica. Stephen sang a song and I was like, "You gotta get on my album." So that was a beautiful experience. Working with Dre, that was really fun. We work real good together and really fast. We were both excited to work with each other again, so that was a good experience, too.

Eve: I have one song with the Marleys called "No, No, No." It's an old Dawn Penn song, a reggae song that I sang over. Stephen and Damian Marley are chanting on it. I chanted a little bit, plus I sang the whole song so it came out hot. I did three songs with Dre. Actually, I think only two of them are going to make it [onto the album]. One, Dre made me sing. I sang a hook and the first four bars on the second verse. I'm gonna let him title it. We have another song called "What," which is like a battle song.

Eve: I love that song. It's a classic and I wanted to sing something on the album, but I wanted to sing something that people could relate to. "No, No, No" is a song that people know — white, black, even people who don't like reggae love that song. That's one of the songs that I told them I wanted to do a video for. Just to throw out there; it don't have to be a single.

Eve: I have one with Teena Marie singing the hook, called "Living Life Is So Hard." It's like the song I had on the last album called "Heaven Only Knows." This song is about my transition from everything I've been through this past year. My relationship, how close I've gotten to God, things I've been through with friends. I'm thankful for everything, happiness or heartache. I take it as a lesson. We thought Teena Marie would be the perfect person to sing the hook, 'cause there's so much feeling in her.

Of course, I have a song with the guys, our street song. That's called "Thug in the Streets." I have a song called "Wake Up," which talks to people that are always complaining about the world but never do anything about it. I have a couple party songs, and the Dre song. It's a wide range. There's something on there for everyone, 14 tracks.

MTV: How is your relationship with Stevie J. now that he's coming out with an album?

Eve: Our relationship is great. I'm excited for him, and he's very excited. I'm behind him all the way. I pray to God it doesn't mess us up. We feel as if we have a strong bond and strong love. We'll have to wait and see what happens. I think we'll be all right. [laughs]

Eve: Stevie's all over my album. We sang something together, the Dre joint. We harmonized together. He produced a song called "You Had Me, You Lost Me." He sang on another one. He's all over the album. We have two other projects — one on his album and one that came out on the "Girlfight" soundtrack.

MTV: There's been word that DMX has left the Ruff Ryders; he himself has said this. How has this affected the Ruff Ryders family?

Eve: He's still with us. I don't see it as leaving us, really. I see it as him branching out. He's a man with a family who is grown, and he wants a label. It's the next logical move and we're happy for him to be branching off. He's gonna be my dog for life. He's with me. It's still family no matter what.

Eve: Right. There is none. A couple of people have asked me how I think it's gonna affect my album sales or other artists' album sales, and I don't think it's going to affect the Ruff Ryders at all.

Eve: My album, of course. Then Jadakiss is doing his solo thing. Then we have another compilation. Drag-On is coming, the Lox is coming. We've got some new artists. So there's a lot of stuff coming out from the camp.

MTV: After your first album, the tour was crazy. There were points where you guys were reported to be just exhausted, working on the new album.

Eve: I experienced a lot of stress on that tour. It really took a toll on my body, my mind and my spirit. I had to take time just to get back into myself. It took a couple months to really get my mind right, to even be able to write a record. I went to Jamaica for a little while and chilled out. That's my favorite spot. When I came back, it was hard actually starting the album. It was hard for me to write because I had so many things on my mind; my emotions weren't right. But the writing helped me bounce back. So by the end of the album I thought, "I'm 100 percent right now. Yeah."

Eve: Definitely, my bus is gonna be less crowded. I'm gonna eat better, way better. I wasn't taking care of myself. I am gonna exercise. I'm gonna keep my surroundings positive, 'cause they weren't last time. I am gonna try to keep everything as organized as it can be.

Eve: Oh, my dog paws. I got them as a dare, but they look good. It's just funny, 'cause I got with the Ruff Ryders and they call themselves dogs and I call myself the bitch of the litter. And it just stuck, like the paws were supposed to be there. It's my favorite tattoo — or one of my favorites, anyway. [RealAudio]

Eve: I have one on my lower back that I got after my first album. It's a scorpion and an apple with two Chinese symbols that say "strong female." That's my favorite one because that's Eve. I have a big flower on my right shoulder. I just got that one in Miami to cover up my first tattoo, a little Chinese symbol, that I got when I was 18. I have a tattoo on my right wrist and my left arm and I want another one, but my mother says to stop it. But I can't. I'm addicted, so I'll probably get another one.

Eve: Valentine's Day is very special now that I have a love. But I never really paid attention to it until I actually fell in love. Stevie said we're supposed to be going away, but we'll see. He said it's a surprise and I'm waiting. It will be nice even if we just stay home.

Eve: I know what I would like, but I don't want to say it. [laughs] Bling, bling.

Eve: I'm happy. It's fun. It's exciting. Tonight I'm in Philly, and it's like, I gotta do my best. It's my hometown. They've never seen me actually do a production show, so I'm very excited. It's goin' good.

E:I have more clout right now, so a lot of the things I can ask for, a lot of things can go my way. I have my own bus, and I picked who's on my bus. So I have a lot -- a little bit more power.

I'm very comfortable now. I have my friends with me from Philly. Last time I didn't have a chance to have my friends with me. Now my best friends are with me, and we're havin' a ball.

MTV: You had told John Norris that you're not with that whole "Back That Thang Up" thing, being the only woman on the tour. Do you stay pretty separate from the guys?

E: Um... I stay as far away as I can! But it's cool. They don't disrespect me in any type of way. We chill. They treat me like one of the guys sometimes. It does get annoying at times, but it's not too bad... because they don't disrespect in front of me.

MTV: It's just that particular part of the show that you find offensive, but you're pretty much cool about it?

E: For the most part, I'm cool. Their performance is great. It's that particular part. It's like, I mean, females put themselves in that predicament also, going onstage. But at the same time, show some respect.

MTV: Last year on tour, you didn't get to take your friends along, so you were the lone person...

E: I was like, ugh. I stayed in my room by myself. With them, if I'm in my room, at least we're all together. We're chillin', we're having fun, so it's way better now.

E: We talk about everything. We can be a bunch of guys at one point, and be a bunch of girls at one point, 'cause we're pretty much all tomboyish. It's pretty much a balance. We talk about makeup and we talk about guys the way they talk about girls, so it's fun. We don't do much of the painting of the nails, but we do talk about makeup. We love makeup.

MTV: Now that you're here in your hometown of Philly, will you be doing anything different? Any kind of homecoming thing?

E: What's different for me is that I'll be dancing. No one has ever seen me dance, except for in my first video. I'll be doing a little. Not too much, but I'll be doing as much as I can in this corset

Her story's familiar by now, but that doesn't make it any less impressive or inspiring: a few years ago, the rapper Eve was working as a table-dancing stripper in the Bronx; today, she's arguably the hottest female hip-hop act on the planet.

Her debut album "Let There Be Eve... Ruff Ryders' First Lady" has gone platinum; she's modeling for Tommy Hilfiger and others; she's talking with the UPN network about starring in a sitcom; her songs, such as "What Ya Want," "Gotta Man," and the rage-against-domestic-abuse anthem "Love Is Blind" have been huge. Not bad for a 21-year-old.

Now, on the cusp of a major Cash Money/Ruff Ryders joint tour, the Philly native is readying to start work on her second full-length album. She recently spoke with the MTV Radio Network's John Gill about the tour, her music, and her expanding career, and one thing became increasingly clear: Eve might not have chosen the easiest road to travel, but it's her road, and she's enjoying every step she takes

MTV Radio Network: How do you feel about the success that you've had with your album?

E: It was dope. I love her voice. She's just a pleasure to work with. She's so calm and cool, real easy to work with.

E: I would like that to happen. I don't know, though; you know how these rumors are. But I'd definitely like that to happen.

MTV: Does it feel good to be able to do something positive like that with your music?

E: Yes! You know, you can talk about smoking, drinking, having sex all day long, but at some point, at least make one song that's going to teach the people. We have a voice for a reason, and I feel like we should use it. We don't all have to be Suzy Sunshine, but if you're gonna speak, then teach. That's how I feel.

E: Role model comes along with the job. Little kids come home from school, their parents aren't there, and they're not doing their homework, they're watching MTV or they're watching BET. They see us, and it's, "Wow! I wanna be like her," or "I wanna be like him," so we're pretty much role models out of the box. I feel like we do have that responsibility to teach at certain times.

E: I'm so excited, because this is my time to show people that I'm not just a rapper. I don't usually dance, I usually just vibe with the crowd, but I'm gonna be doing dance routines, and it's going be something different. So I'm really going to be an entertainer, which I'm really happy to be doing. I'm excited.

E: A lot of dancing, a lot of bright lights and explosions, messages for women. The whole deal.

E: Well, I sing the hook to "Love Is Blind," the original hook, so I guess when Faith's not there, when we can't get her to come out, I'll be singing a little bit.

E: It's so dope. This is our first time all together, so I think it's going to be hot.

E: Definitely. This will be my second time going out with them; I did spot dates on the "Ghetto Love" tour, and they showed me a lot of love.

MTV: Do you think this is going to show some unity in hip-hop, having these two groups together?

E: I believe so, because they're so far down South, and we're up here, so that's definitely unity, for us to come together.

E: Oh yeah, definitely. I feed off a crowd; if my crowd is giving me a bunch of energy, then I'm going to go all out and give them what they want.

E: Yes, I have a million chicks that want to be my friend, they slip me their number. Either they want to be my friend or they want to be my girlfriend, and I don't go that way. But then the guys are like, "Let me show you this, and let me give you that." It's definitely funny.

E: Oh my God, there are a million and one people, and it's a shame that I can't get everybody on this album. Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Lil' Kim, Lenny Kravitz, R. Kelly, Q-Tip, Busta, L.L. Just so many people.

E: Yeah, actually. I'm with a modeling agency here in New York. And I just interviewed for a sitcom on UPN, and they called back. They want to start taping soon. So, yeah -- modeling, acting, getting it together.

E: I haven't done the acting yet, but I can tell by just being around it that it definitely takes more time. You have a set schedule. With music, you might have a schedule, but it's not a set schedule. It's more like, "Okay, when that's done we'll get to the other thing." With TV, I think it's a little more strict.

E: We're going to be working on a compilation soon, and we'll see how it goes. I think it's going to be better than the first one, actually, 'cause everybody has grown. I know I've definitely grown since my first album. Then I'm going to be working on my second album while we're on tour.

E: Well, I've never done that, because I'm a studio writer. I love being in the studio. I love the atmosphere of the big board, looking at all the speakers. So I've never really been on the road. Hopefully it won't be hard. I don't think it will be, as long as I stay focused.

MTV News: Eve, how did you get started? Did you start out rapping, or did you have other musical interests?

Eve: Our future goal right now is to be acting, hopefully by next year. But also to be working on a new album in January. Either us together, or working on our individual projects. However it go down, you know what I'm saying? It's up to y'all. Let us know what we doing.