The under appreciated legacy of phat female Philly emcees that's blessed us with PhillyHipHop.com's own Lady B & Yvette Money, Bahamadia, LaVee, Disco C, Ice Cream Tee now brightens our day with EVE. While First Lady Of Ruff Ryder elevates the potential audience for this queen, those of us runnin' the Illadelph streets have known about this diamond in the Ruff for a long time. I was first acquainted with Eve's talents thru my fellow L-Nation homey Cat In The Hat. I remember chillin' in his basement peepin' the tracks he laid for Eve back in the day.

After consuming this debut, what stands out above all else is Eve's potent lyricism. This is no one hit wonder. The flows are too strong for anything less than a long career supported by Eve's strong and confident delivery. Eve has that "presence" that many rappers strive to attain but never realize. Our own Black Thought has it. KRS-ONE has it. So does Treach. Melle Mel, Rakim, Kool G Rap, King Sun & RUN DMC have it too. As for females who have this lofty presence I'd put Heather B in this class.
Madd props to Eve & Beanie Sigel for the 215 anthem Philly Philly. I'm sure there's kids in Tokyo right now chanting "Philly where I am from…" We're all well aware of the classic What Y'all Want and its infectious grove. Unfortunately the album only includes a Latin tinged remix. Gotta Man and Love Is Blind are the albums remaining radio-friendly cuts, sure to become urban radio stapes. Sure to be overlooked because of its frank sincerity is Heaven Only Knows. Eve showed incredible courage to share her trials & tribulations in this autobiographical cut. She addresses her days as an exotic dancer without glamorization. She reveals herself as a survivor of vulnerability, heartache, confusion and loneliness. It was a welcomed balance to some of the hardcore bravado.

As the album title suggests, this is a Ruff Ryder outing thru & thru. Swizz Beats mans the beats and stable mate DMX pops up throughout. While the tracks are all tight and trendy, the album suffers its only setback from that very production. It's no secret that the overexposure of Swizz's Beats are on the brink of playin' out like Cross Colors & Lottos. I feel that Eve would have benefited from some tracks outside of the Ruff Ryder's camp. Don't get it twisted, Ruff Ryders are top notch but variety is the spice of life and I would have appreciated at least a few tracks without the Swizz familiarity.

evefansonly.com

Reviewed by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor- PhillyHipHop.com
February, 2000