Eve - Scorpion

Give Eve credit for not succumbing to hip-hop's fickle feminine fetishization. While Foxy Brown and Lil' Kim have degenerated into scantily clad clichés, Eve (the self-described "pitbull in a skirt") has maintained her rougher edge without sacrificing a whit of her sexy energy. "Pretty with the heels on, or shitty with the Timbos," is how she puts it on "Gangsta Bitches," one of the standout tracks from this, her second, album. Eve's clearly progressed as a lyricist, though her flow is occasionally on-the-beat clunky. That aside, she switches easily from anti-hater anthems ("Cowboy") to bitter revenge fantasies (the power-guitar-driven "You Had Me, You Lost Me") to straight-up bragging ("Got What You Need"). Throughout, she's assured and poised, matching Teena Marie's manic torch-song energy on "Life Is So Hard" and outshining most of her Ruff Ryder partners elsewhere. But, secure as she may be, Eve realizes that the game doesn't always last: "I'm trying to make a quick flip, nigga. Can you dig this?" she asks on "Cowboy." Sexy and smart. What's not to dig? --Jon Caramanica Amazon.com

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Eve, a tough uncompomising rapper combinating female anthems and non-nonsense uptempos, had great success with her debut album "Ruff Ryders First Lady" that was produced mostly by Swizz Beats from just the Ryff Ryders group, hence the name. The album was one of the best Hip Hop albums of that year, and was also critically acclaimed, but she didn't get alot of hits from that one. 2 years later in 2001, comes her sophmore album that is quite simular acually. But Swizz Beats had less impact on the songs this time, producing only 5 and letting other Ruff Ryder Protegés (Teflon & Dj Shock) and then Dr. Dre and his crew shining on some songs. Like other reviewers already mentioned, If you liked Eve's debut you'll like this one too, It's an equally strong effort with great songs combinating both street credability/commercial appeal and great lyrics that sometimes are quite deep aswell. First song "Cowboy" is a decent starter, but it's song number 2 and 3 that made Eve a hit-machine. The first one being the Latin inspired Swizz Beats song "Who's That Girl" (bigger hit in Europe then in Usa) and then "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" a commercial beat orineted song that reached a fantastic #2 position on the Bilboard charts. That song feautured Gwen Stefani and production from Dr. Dre and his protegés Mike Elizondo and Scott Storch (both of them are today top producers on their own). The album moves on with a rendez-vu from her last album called "You Had Me, You Lost Me" a female anthem about leaving a man that can't behave. A super catchy Swizz Beats song called "Got What You Need" with Drag-On, why wasn't it a single?. Two other female rappers Da Brat and Trina joins in on "Gangsta B__ch" a decent song aswell while Dre's crew shines again on "That's What It Is" where Styles P appears. We'll find DMX again on "Scream Double R" a thug song, and ditto with "Thug in the Street" with Lox and Drag-On. The oddest song on this album is a reggae cover of "No No No" with Bob Marley's son Damien, it Feels abit out of place actually. "You Ain't Gettin' None" is more girl power. One of the best and deepest songs however is "Life is So Hard" with Teena Marie that makes a spectacular performence. Closer is called "Be Me", a cut that feautures Mashonda (now married to Swizz Beats) It got great beats but lyrics that mostly seems to deal about materialism and her own archivements. But based on what happened to her during these two years, you could understand her reactions. Conclusion is: Eve plays safe and makes a second album with simular concept, what differs the two albums most is the two standouts singles that helped her get big chart success. Other then that, there's many simularities between the two albums and if you liked her first you like her second to. There isn't much else to say then to give her props for a another good album. May 26, 2007

4.5 stars

With most rappers, after having a double platinum debut they lose their hunger and become way too cocky. This is not the case with Eve. On her sophomore album, she is more hungry than ever before. She is confident, not cocky, and delivers some of the best rhymes ever to come out of the mouth of a female emcee. (And she even does some singing on here! And she can actually carry a tune.) The beats on here, once again, are top notch on every song. There are a few too many guest appearances, but that really proves to be this album's only flaw. This album is a huge improvement from her okay first, Let There Be Eve... In my eyes, this is a hip hop classic and everyone should at least give it a listen. I bump this one start to finish. I highly recommend. December 18, 2006

Look fam, it is what is

Eve was alright at best when she first dropped. But after this album she went downhill wit a big snowball chasin her. How can you be this rough tough chick, wit' this girly a** production. Eve sold out to sell records. You don't believe me, check out the songs and videos of her first album and compare it to her 2 after that. Then ask yourself is she as hard as she says. On top of that I hate most female rappers anyway. July 2, 2006

"Why You Listen To The Rest, You Got The Best Right Here",

She is one hundred percent right. Eve's second album is no sophomore slump. Gone the short blond locks and in its place a hot red perhaps keeping in theme with the album title Scorpion. She co-wrote every song on the album, except for a couple of the skits. She flawlessly raps over extremely hot beats with sass and style.

Her rhymes flow just as lucidly here as they did on her debut, and she sounds even more confident than before. Given her ensemble cast of producers and guest rappers, she probably should sound confident. When you have Swizz Beatz and Dr. Dre handling the better part of your album, along with a few other tracks handled by Ruff Ryder producers Teflon and DJ Shok. In terms of guests, the Ruff Ryders (DMX, Drag-On, and LOX) make their expected cameos.

The tracks that stands out to me: "Who's That Girl?," "Scream Double R," "Cowboy," "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," and "Life Is Hard," a unique soulful moment late in the album with Teena Marie contributing a diva chorus and Eve dropping some heartfelt lyrics.

At 16 tracks, this album doesn't overreach and really doesn't have too many surprises. There are a few flawed moments where the choruses aren't as catchy as they intend to be, but for the most part Eve plays it safe. If you liked her first album, you'll like this one just the same.
June 17, 2006

Buy her debut instead

I actually own this Eve album and not her debut.

Funny thing is, somebody in Eve's camp told her to soften her image and go pop to sell albums. If that's all you want from hip hop, party/club/radio-friendly music (not meant to sound condescending or belittling, but just stating facts) then buy THIS album.

However, even though I wasn't a fan and never was a hardcore Eve fan, I recognize game.

Eve was on a whole 'nother level on her debut "Ruff Ryder's First Lady (1999)."

She was still down with DMX 'n crew, and her music, in my opinion, was better 4 it.

Hearing tracks on her debut album like "Love Is Blind" (which also had a great video to match the song's tale of women not toleratin' domestic violence), it's hard to hear her rappin' along side Gwen Stefani (great artist) on the poppy, popcorn-flavored "Let Me Blow Ya Mind."

She just totally went from one extreme to the next and her music lost the edge and the sociopolitical bite it otherwise had.

I don't mind the pop, crossover kinda music (it does have its place), I just find myself purchasing and championing more of the underground, real hip hop stuff b/c it doesn't get played on the radio anymore if a rapper's not maintaining the radio status quo. March 19, 2006

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