Eve and Nicki Minaj demonstrate that pioneering female rappers can coexist harmoniously. After publishing her new memoir, “Who’s That Girl,” Eve has been conducting a media tour, delving into various aspects of the book. From parenthood to music, the first lady of Ruff Ryders candidly discussed the impact of the male-dominated industry on her relationships with fellow female rappers and her mental well-being. In her memoir, she reflects on her initial encounter with Minaj on the set of “Barbershop: The Next Cut” and how it reshaped her perspective.
In a recent CNN interview with Laura Coates, Eve opened up about her experience with anxiety and the importance of seeking help. The rapper emphasized the relatability of her experience with Nicki Minaj and highlighted the significance of using therapy as a coping mechanism instead of turning to unhealthy habits like drinking.
During the interview, she stated: “I’ve lived through what happens when women project their own insecurities onto other women. It happened at the start of my career and continued in waves as my fame grew. I wasn’t going to be that woman to someone else, but in order to do that, I had to physically and mentally prepare myself.” “Nicki and I were actually fine on set. We got along well and shot our scenes together with no problems. It was nothing like what I had expected … I’d see her writing songs on her bus in between takes, hurrying offset to go hit some show dates over the weekend and then come right back on set for these 12-to-16-hour shoots, all while trying to hold together her personal life and her relationship.”
“It was at that moment that I didn’t envy her, and I kind of wanted to give her a hug. I thought I was going to resent her, and really all I felt was compassion. I remembered being that person, the girl who felt like she had to do it all. The girl who was pressured to do it all, because it was all eyes on her. Instead of feeling insecure around Nicki, I started to sympathize with her.”
The rapper’s honesty encouraged Minaj to share how anxious she felt about working with the experienced rapper on set. The Queens rapper remembered watching Ruff Ryderz on TV and Observing Eve managing her ascent to stardom with “grace” and “a big sprinkle of unapologetic talent and charisma.”
“No matter what industry you are in, if you have been in a place in your life or career where you may have been that one, that person, that thing, and someone comes in…We’re human, right? Of course, you feel insecure. Of course, you feel protective, Of course, you feel [like], ‘Wow, do I still belong here?” Eve explained. “It was all these things coming from the industry … being the one female [rapper]. I was holding on to that, thinking, ‘How can she be here and how can I be here?’ which is stupid, which is so dumb.”
