The First (and Last Remaining) Lady of Hip-Hop

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Is hip-hop still your first love? Your life has come so far from the experiences you talked about on your earlier albums.
EVE: Well, I had to talk about what I knew about at that time. When I came out, that's what I lived every single day. I lived a certain kind of life. Hip-hop will always be me. Without hip-hop, I wouldn't be who I am. It made me. My stake is strong in hip-hop. I'm still an MC, but I have to talk about and be who I am as I grow as a person. I'd be frontin' if I was like, ''Yeah, I was doing this on the block.'' I live in Hollywood, you know what I'm saying? I got an apartment in New York. Like, I don't live that kind of life so I can only talk about what I know about.

You already talked about this a little bit when you were talking about Gwen and Fergie, but I want to go back to it: How tough is it to be a female rapper in today's musical climate? Is it tougher than when you released your first album? When/what was the turning point?
I don't think it's hard. I don't look at it as hard 'cause I think I'm better than half these dudes that's out. Some of these dudes can't rap. And I hate to say it like that. [Laughs]

That's true, but those dudes' albums are getting off the ground and achieving success.
I know. That's definitely because it's testosterone-driven. It's testosterone-driven. But I don't think it's hard. I don't look at it in that aspect of it. What was the second part of the question?

When/what was the turning point for female rappers when their popularity started waning?
I don't know. Honestly, I can't really say there was a specific time. I think it just happened and I don't think that anybody paid attention to it until, like, right now where you look up and it's like, ''Oh, s---! Where are all the females at?'' I think it just kinda happened.

Is your album still being released on Dr. Dre's Aftermath label?
I can't say. Geffen will [definitely] be attached to it.

Does that have anything to do with the delays?
No. I can honestly say, I know a lot of people have a lot to say about Dre and waiting on Dre, but I can honestly say this has nothing to do with Dre.

When and why did you change management? Did that cause more delays with the album?
Yes, I have new management now, which that had a little bit to do with it, but I also won't blame it on my management either.

Why did you change management and how did that affect the delay?
It was just time. It was a hard decision. We've been together almost 10 years. But it was one of things I felt like I needed to do for myself. I felt like I needed a change. I was on a new path in my brain. It was just something that I needed to do. And I'm sure it affected certain things and the pushing back of certain things. But like I said, I don't want to blame it all on that either.

So what's the latest release date for the album?
Some time next year. I know [Laughs]. It's like I've been trying to push this baby out for a year, okay! Trust me, it is really crazy. It's the longest labor on earth! But honestly, I feel okay about it. It'll be some time next year.

But you don't know when next year? Not even the month?
No. I don't wanna even give out any more dates. I'm kinda scared. [Laughs] I'm scared of giving out dates. I'm gonna just wait.