Editing Eve (section)

== Philadelphia Upbringing ==

Eve Jihan Cooper was born on November 10, 1978, in Philadelphia, growing up in the Germantown and Mill Creek neighborhoods of the city. Her childhood was marked by challenges—her parents divorced when she was young, and economic circumstances were often difficult—but she found outlets in performance that would eventually lead to her career. She began rapping as a teenager, developing skills through the battle circuit that served as proving ground for aspiring Philadelphia MCs.<ref name="dyson">{{cite book |last=Dyson |first=Michael Eric |title=Know What I Mean?: Reflections on Hip-Hop |year=2007 |publisher=Basic Civitas |location=New York}}</ref>

Philadelphia's hip-hop scene in the 1990s provided opportunities for aspiring artists to develop their skills and build reputations. Eve emerged from this environment, her aggressive delivery and lyrical ability earning respect in contexts where female MCs often faced skepticism. Her abilities attracted attention from Dr. Dre, who briefly signed her to Aftermath Entertainment, though her breakthrough would come through association with Ruff Ryders, the collective that included DMX, The LOX, and Swizz Beatz.<ref name="keyes"/>

Her Philadelphia identity shaped her approach to hip-hop, the city's emphasis on lyrical ability and verbal competition evident in her style. Unlike some female rappers who emphasized sexuality over skill, Eve competed on terms that male rappers had established, earning respect through demonstrated ability rather than novelty. This approach connected her to Philadelphia hip-hop traditions that valued craft and competition.<ref name="dyson"/>