[Interview] Eve Talks New Album, T.I./ Azealia Banks Beef and "White Girls in Hip-Hop"

Eve at Rock the Bells – San Bernardino. Picture courtesy of Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic)

The Well Versed: Sounds like a dope project, I can’t wait to hear it. And now that we’ve talked about the album, we’re going to switch up the topic and talk about something that I call the “male umbrella.” It basically refers to when any female rapper gets in the game, and kind of needs that big co-sign or endorsement from a male rapper or crew to get on. For example, you had Ruff Ryders and Nicki Minaj had Wayne. How do you feel about this dynamic? Do you think its still in place?

Eve: I think for some reason, unfortunately, that’s just how its been. I think that’s what people are used to, but there are some girls coming up now that really aren’t apart of crews. Like Azealia Banks is not really from a crew or getting co-signed by anyone, and she’s still making noise, which I think is great. But yeah, unfortunately, that’s just the way the game has been. It’s stupid really, but then I guess that’s what people are used to.

The Well Versed: Speaking of Azealia Banks, I heard that you’re a fan of hers. I don’t know if you’ve been following her current events but she’s beefing with a lot of people…

Eve: Yeah, she should stop.

The Well Versed: Seems like everyday I log on the Internet and there’s a new beef…

Eve: It’s just ridiculous. People need to stop beefing. Like just why.

The Well Versed: Well, not too long ago, she got into a beef with T.I. over Iggy Azalea, and T.I. basically said that if she wanted to address him, she needed to get a man to address him. Referring back to the male-female relationship in Hip-Hop, how do you feel about a female rapper addressing a male? Not specifically about the T.I. situation, but in general? Does she have to get the “big homie” or can she address a man?

Eve: Absolutely! Half the dudes that are out are wack. Lyrically, a lot of them aren’t saying much of nothing, and there’s a lot of females who are definitely saying a lot of things. Definitely, I’d get at any dude, any day of the week. I could care less. I mean, I get it, T.I., that’s just his personality anyway. I think it’s funny, but at the same time, I wish a dude would say something like that to me. You know what I mean? And at the end of the day – its just all ridiculous – yes, a chick can definitely come at a dude. That’s so ridiculous.

The Well Versed: So I’m a big fashion fanatic and I have to know, what’s up with Fetish?

Eve: I let Fetish go. I let Fetish go a few years ago but a lot of people didn’t know that. I’m definitely going to do a new line, you know, once this record is out and the focus is off the record a little bit. Fashion is one of my religions so I sleep, eat, love it. It’s the best thing. So I’ll definitely do another line but Fetish is no more.

Eve Performing at Rock the Bells – San Bernardino. Picture courtesy of Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic)

The Well Versed: I’ll be looking out for that as well. So we’re going to switch the topic once again to a more current one. The latest hot topic is the whole fiasco with Chad (“Ochocinco” Johnson) and Evelyn (Lozada) and domestic violence. A lot of discourse and jokes have arisen about it, but since you came out with the song, “Love is Blind” – which addresses the issue – I want to know your perspective on how the media treats domestic violence situations.

Eve: Well, the thing with the media and all kinds of train wreck situations, unfortunately, is that there is no responsibility behind it. Obviously, everyone has their opinions and making jokes about it is one thing, but there should be some seriousness about it too. I think that everybody is so desensitized because everything is on T.V. now. Everything is made so much light of, everything right now is… I don’t know, I think there should be some responsibility but it’s not going to happen. It’s unfortunate.

The Well Versed: My last question to you regards the documentary that I’m producing about females that rap. It focuses specifically on race by looking at the rise of White female emcees that are coming up like K. Flay, Kreayshawn and so forth. Looking at the fact that these White female emcees were able to come out, where do you think that says about where Hip-Hop is as a culture?

Eve: I think Hip-Hop is their culture as well. I think people forget that obviously it started in this small place – in a small bubble of the world – and then it blew up, which goes back to what we first talked about. Like the reason why I can travel the world is because of Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop transcends everything and everybody’s growing up with Hip-Hop now. Not just Black kids in the ‘hood but White kids in suburban areas and White kids in big giant mansions. So the fact that it happened is one of those things, where on one hand its amazing because to quote Biggie, “Whoever thought that Hip-Hop would make it that far.” But at the same time, its like… Because I do think about this, as a Hip-Hop artist I think does it take away – in any way – the significance of where it comes from? I don’t think it does. I think if anything, it’s pretty amazing that we live in a time where it could happen. I mean Eminem did it and he’s actually really dope, and these girls coming up, they should have a chance to shine too so it doesn’t bother me.