Eve Jihan Jeffers, born in what she refers to as Illadelph (Philadelphia, PA), has been viewed as the hip hop industry’s most loved female rapper for years. With her spit fire style she has pioneered the way for all those who have come after her. She has won Grammy’s, sold over 8 million albums and branched off into fashion and film with a plethora of talent and skills. At the same time she stays very much down to earth. Holding her own in a male-dominated industry hasn’t been easy. However, not only has she been able to hold her own, she has lasted longer than most male and female MC’s. She has pumped out club banging hits since the early nineties. Hits like, Who’s That Girl, What Ya Want, Let Me Blow Ya Mind. The self proclaimed “illest pit bull in a skirt” was Ruff Ryders first lady until she branched out on her own. She has seen it all -double platinum success, times when she didn’t know who to trust and taking a break from the industry. Eve has always stood up for what she believes in. The song Love Is Blind is about domestic violence, and she wrote it to give it exposure in a world that overlooks it. She has never been afraid to be a strong, confident woman who uses her own feet to get to where she wants to go. At a time when women in hip hop were isolated to groupies and scantily clad video girls, she was able to say, “I am here and I am not going anywhere.” Her new album, Lip Lock, is to be the best she has ever produced, with hot track after hot track. She has also crossed over into films like Barber Shop, Barber Shop 2, Cookout and The Woodsman. If that wasn’t enough, she recently started her own film and production company. Eve does it all and even though her life is so busy and successful, she stands out as one of the most candid and sweetest people anyone would want to meet. Fortunately for all of us, she will be headlining Pride this year! So get your Tambourine on, and go see her at 8:15 p.m., Saturday July 17th, on the festival’s Cox Communications main stage. This will be a show you will not want to miss.

GLT: How do you feel about playing San Diego Pride?

EVE: I am so excited about playing Pride. It is my first Pride and I know it will be a lot of fun.

GLT: What is your position on gay marriage?

EVE: I am all for it! If two people love each other there should be no reason why they can’t get married.

GLT: Do you believe that there is more homophobia in the Hip Hop community and why?

EVE: I would say one hundred percent more. It is mostly because it is all about personas, and a lot of them have tough personas. Unfortunately it really goes beyond hip hop; it is the African American community as well. I could go on about this for days, but the problem is that young African American men have not had males around them, growing up in a positive way, to show them what it is to be a man. So their view of what a man is and his role is not accurate. On the other hand, because of that they do not fully understand what a women’s role is either.

GLT: What have you had to overcome being a female in the Hip Hop world and in the music industry in general?

EVE: A few things. A lot of things, actually! I have had to prove that I am just as good, if not better than the boys. I had to prove that I was not impressed by what they were doing and that I am here for myself, not them. I had to prove, basically, that I am here to work just like you. I’m not a groupie and I demand respect.

GLT: What do you believe has made you so successful in your career?

EVE: A lot of different things. A combination of the right timing, great timing and God given talent. A strong team of people. You can’t do shit in your life, all on your own.

GLT: Are there any words that you live by?

EVE: There are a few things. One is that I don’t believe in having regrets so, no regrets. Two… it is what it is...I mean shit happens and sometimes it just is what it is. You can’t change it. Three would be... positive…I try to stay really positive. Not in an airy fairy like way, just in a way that you have to always look around and think, “Shit, it could be worse.” and I feel really blessed.

GLT: What was the inspiration for writing “Love Is Blind”? Was it written about anyone in particular?

EVE: I wrote that song when I was sixteen and it was about my best friend who was seventeen. It started out more like a poem. The first two lines were very true and the third line in the song happens all the time. I just wanted to drive the point home that domestic violence is real and ugly and happens every day. But yeah, that was about true events.

GLT: What is your favorite song that you have written and produced?

EVE: I would have to say that my new album is the best thing I have ever done. I did this one all on my own. I love every track on the album. As far as my older stuff, it would have to be Blow Your Mind with Gwen Stefani. I love that song and love to perform it. We won a Grammy for that.

GLT: Who do you think is the hottest rapper out there today?

EVE: Honestly, I live under a rock, (laugh). I like the old standards. Nas You Know, but I really like T.I. a lot, and what he is doing.

GLT: What was your favorite track on your newest album Lip Lock?

EVE: I would have to say Kiss My Self. I like them all though. I have never been so happy with any other album as I am with this one.

GLT: Favorite food?

EVE: Honestly, that is going to be a hard one to answer because I love food and I like so many different types of food. Let me put it this way, if I am craving a certain food I will leave if the restaurant doesn’t have what I want. I will also try any food at least twice.

GLT: Are you seeing anyone special?

EVE: I am. I am in a relationship and he is not in the industry, which is great (laugh). So, I would tell you his name but you wouldn’t know who he was.

GLT: Favorite singer, rapper or musician of all time?

EVE: Of all time…Bob Marley.

GLT: What is the best place in the world that you have ever been?

EVE: Let’s see. I have been everywhere, but I would have to say Jamaica, it just feels like home.

GLT: What have been the biggest perks of being a famous rapper and the biggest downfalls?

EVE: The perks are that I feel truly blessed. It has allowed me so many opportunities. I would say the downfalls are that sometimes you just want to be anonymous, it can be grueling, and at times, annoying. It is hard to have your game face on all the time. That being said, I will always sign autographs for fans and stop what I am doing to talk with fans. That does not bother me, I am happy to do it.

GLT: Did you ever catch slack for having really short hair?

EVE: Yeah! I had people telling me I was gay or assuming I was gay. Not that it is a bad thing.

I was just like, I am not gay (laugh).

Well Eve, thank you very much for talking to the Gay and Lesbian Times. We look forward to seeing you at Pride. All the best in the future.