Eve, the Grammy-winning rapper and actor, has opened up about her journey from Philadelphia rap battles to major label success, recalling the challenges of being the only woman in boardroom meetings and the importance of early failure.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born Eve Jihan Jeffers in Philadelphia in 1978, Eve knew she wanted to be a rapper from the age of 15. She started rapping at 11, and four years later told her mother she wanted to pursue music instead of college. Her mother was supportive, and Eve's only backup plan was special-effects makeup, a field she still considers retraining in.
Growing up in Philadelphia shaped her feisty persona. "Philly girls are known for being feisty, for not taking no for an answer," she said. The city's underdog status fueled her determination, and despite the dangers of drugs and guns, she was determined to escape.
Battles and Boardroom Struggles
Eve's rap battles began at school, where she would take on the boys, often in patois. She loved words and poetry, and this passion eventually led her to meet Ma$e in her late teens, who encouraged her to take rap seriously. She signed to Dre's Aftermath as "Eve of Destruction," but was dropped eight months later—a devastating failure that she credits for her later success.
After a month of depression, Jimmy Iovine connected her with Ruff Ryders, a hip-hop collective that became her "safe place." Unlike previous experiences where producers hit on her instead of taking her music seriously, Ruff Ryders protected her and taught her how to format songs. "Working with them was a hip-hop boot camp," she said.
Success and Its Toll
This led to the success of Scorpion, which won a Grammy for the single "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" featuring Gwen Stefani. Eve recalled being the only woman in major label meetings, where she had to fight for her ideas. "I was the only girl in the boardroom in those major label meetings and that Philly girl often had to come out," she said. Decades later, her old A&R apologised, admitting she had good ideas.
Despite the success, the grind took a toll. Eve struggled with anxiety and depression, self-medicating and feeling lonely. She eventually sought therapy and healing work, learning to cope and find balance. Now in her 40s, she remains feisty but is more present, waking up with wonder at how far she's come from Philadelphia.
