On a recent episode of Angie Martinez’s In Real Life podcast, rapper and singer Eve opened up about her evolution, from Philly’s fierce Ruff Ryders “pit bull in a skirt” to a globe-trotting mother, wife, and wellness advocate.
Currently on the Where The Party At tour with her young son in tow, Eve is blending motherhood with music, making time to reflect on the journey that brought her here. Sitting down with Martinez, the conversation touched every era of her life: breakthrough success, personal battles, and the spiritual and emotional work that’s shaped her recent years.
Eve’s career took off in the late ’90s when she became the first lady of Ruff Ryders. She credited Darren and the late DMX for helping shape her grit early on, describing her entry into the crew as a kind of boot camp that demanded resilience in a male-dominated environment. The toughness she built to survive in that world would become both her armor, and later, a hurdle.
The conversation turned deeply personal as Eve discussed how that emotional armor, once essential for survival in the industry, eventually interfered with her personal relationships. She admitted to using alcohol as a way to numb emotions and manage anxiety. A DUI and a subsequent 56-day house arrest became the turning point that forced her to confront her dependence on alcohol and begin her path toward healing.
That path, she revealed, included therapy, acupuncture, Reiki, breathwork, and deep emotional excavation. Eve spoke candidly about the impact of childhood wounds on her romantic life and the work required to change those patterns. She emphasized that true healing can’t come from someone else, “you have to do the work yourself,” a principle she carried into her now 15-year relationship (11 years married) with British entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper.
She addressed the assumption that her so-called “soft life” is due to her husband’s wealth, stating that while financial security plays a role, her peace stems from the personal work she’s done.
Now a mother, Eve is learning as she goes, raising a mixed-race child while navigating her own identity and that of her son’s. She mentioned her son’s curiosity about skin color and how she’s approaching those early conversations about heritage and identity. While on tour, her son is being doted on by production crew members, an experience both joyful and surreal for the artist who once battled in gritty freestyle circles.
Eve’s willingness to embrace change has been a constant theme in her career. From platinum albums to co-hosting The Talk, she spoke about choosing excitement over fear, even when it meant stepping away. Leaving the show during the pandemic allowed her to focus on starting a family, a decision she doesn’t regret. She credited her time on TV for teaching her how to open up, especially about topics like fertility struggles, drinking, and family dynamics.
In a moment of reflection, Eve described her spiritual practice as a dialogue with what she calls “GAAU”, God, Angels, Ancestors, Universe. She’s made space in her life for prayer, quiet, and connecting with ancestors, a value she learned from healers along her journey. These spiritual tools help guide her through difficult decisions and life transitions.
Eve also addressed the early dynamics between women in hip-hop, recalling a time when female rappers were often pitted against one another. Over time, she and her peers ike Trina, Missy Elliott, and others, found solidarity and mutual respect, choosing connection over competition.
Even after decades in entertainment, Eve isn’t slowing down. She shared a few of her future goals: learning a new language (Italian or Portuguese), mastering an instrument, owning a ranch with goats and bees, and diving deeper into TV production and writing. A second book might be on the horizon.
