Rapper Eve Returns With New Album

Aug. 22, 2007 — -- In a genre known for being dominated by men, rapper Eve is a rarity.

Few females in hip-hop have been as commercially successful as Eve, who claims lucrative album sales, recording contracts, product endorsements and awards, just like her superstar male counterparts.

The Philadelphia-born performer's success was built during the last eight years, beginning with her 1999 debut album, "Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady."

With it she became only the second woman to enter the Billboard 200 chart at No. 1, which was a major accomplishment for the lone female in the previously all-male rap squad Ruff Ryders.

Now, after a five-year musical hiatus, 28-year-old Eve has released "Here I Am," and is signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath record label.

According to her Web site, her fourth album is more mature and adventurous than previous efforts.

The hip-hop femme fatale, born Eve Jihan Jeffers, said each album represents parts of her.

"My albums are always a reflection of where I am at a certain point in my life," Eve told ABC News. "It's somewhat like a journal or diary."

The first single off her latest effort, "Tambourine," reached No. 19 on the U.S. R&B hip-hop chart.

The album even features a departure from its predecessors with a song called "All Night Long," where the rapper showcases her vocal range by simply singing.

"I decided to sing because I wanted to try something different," Eve said. "I wasn't excited about it when [producer] Pharrell first suggested it to me, but now it's one of my favorite songs."

Fans have eagerly awaited her new album, but as one of the few women in hip-hop, her musical journey has not been easy.

"It was difficult because I had to work 10 times harder to prove that I was as good or, in some cases, better then the next guy who was sitting next to me writing," Eve said.

During her career, Eve has sold more than 4.8 million albums. And even when she hasn't released new material, Eve has stayed on the pop culture radar by working with other artists like Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys.