WHO'S THAT GIRL?

The pioneering, multihyphenate female rapper traces her odyssey from vulnerable teenager to fierce superstar.

Eve (born Eve Jihan Cooper) recounts her childhood raised poor in West Philadelphia’s Mill Creek housing project. She had an early affinity for music and eschewed college to pursue a career as a rap artist. After relocation to New York City, Eve endured a brief, “pretty sobering” stint as a topless dancer. She started rapping for customers, one of whom turned out to be newly discovered talent Ma$e, who ushered her into the industry. As “Eve of Destruction,” complete with her signature paw print chest tattoos, she rose to fame amid industry manipulation, misconception, and cutthroat competition. It didn't help to be condescended to by stars such as Jay-Z, who offered congratulations on her 1999 Billboard chart–topping debut album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, yet foresaw its inevitable failure "because female hip-hop albums don’t really do that well” within the predominantly male-dominated rap music industry. On the contrary, to date she has produced four successful albums, not to mention her numerous film and television credits. Co-authored by hip-hop journalist Iandoli, her earnestly written memoir shares many memories: the melodrama of creating songs and albums with numerous producers and co-writers; a collaboration with Prince; becoming the new “it” girl in hip-hop; the downside of touring at 21 “trapped in a hurricane of my own making”; and becoming the first artist to win a Grammy for best Rap/Sung collaboration. She also reveals the intimate details of her relationship with husband Maximillion Cooper and the numerous fertility challenges she faced before their first child, Wilde Wolf, was born in 2022. Eve fans will have a lot of behind-the-scenes details to savor in this inspirational and heartfelt self-portrait.

A potent, passionate celebrity autobiography grounded in authenticity and fearlessness.