Who's that girl? A memoir

Rapper Eve traces her arc from the Philadelphia projects to the top of the charts in this galvanizing personal history. Taught to love hip-hop by her aunt (who "slept with the radio on"), Eve was the only girl at her West Philadelphia high school who regularly participated in rap battles. She'd often cut class to attend music video shoots and perform her original songs at local talent shows, but it took a chance conversation with rapper Ma$e while she was dancing at a strip club to convince her that her rap dreams were possible. In exuberant prose, Eve highlights the thrill of recording her first demo, "Eve of Destruction" ("I thought I had arrived and was living the dream"), and signing with the hip-hop label Ruff Ryders; offers behind-the-curtain peeks at the writing and recording of her four full-length albums (each one gets its own chapter); and recounts the birth of her son in 2022. Her straightforward reflections shine brightest when she discusses the struggles of making it as a woman in the rap game. The result is a vibrant testament to self-belief. Agent: Robert Guinsler, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Sept.)