Scorpion [PA]

Performer: Eve
Artist: Gwen Stefani; Erex; Teena Marie; Stephen Marley; DMX; Stevie J.; Lox & Dragon; Drag-On; Mo'nique; Da Brat; Trina; Styles Of The Lox; Damian Marley; Mashonda Tifrere
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Eve (rap vocals); Da Brat, Trina, Teena Marie, Gwen Stefani, DMX, The Lox, Yung Won, Stephen Marley. Producers include: Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, The Marleys, Stevie J., Swizz Beatz. Engineers include: Chris Theis, Scott Kieklak, Steve Conover. "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Personnel includes: Eve (rap vocals); Da Brat, Trina, Tina Marie, Gwen Stefani, DMX, The Lox, Yung Won. Producers include: Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, The Marleys, Stevie J., Swizz Beatz. "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Personnel: Eve (vocals, background vocals); Stephen Marley, Stevie J. (vocals, background vocals); DMX, Da Brat, Drag-On, Gwen Stefani, Mashonda Tifrere, Styles P, Teena Marie, The LOX, Trina (vocals); Mike Elizondo (guitar); Scott Storch (keyboards); Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, Dede O'Neal, Verline Beard, Angel Eve (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Rich Keller. Recording information: Enterprise Studios; Hit Factory Criteria; Record One; Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; sony Music Studios; The Hit Factory Criteria. Photographers: Kithe Brewster; Nitin Vadukul. Unknown Contributor Role: Rich Keller. When Eve debuted in 1999, she surprised many as one of the few female rappers capable of attaining both popularity and respect without having to take on a sleazy role or sacrifice any of her muscle. In fact, her muscle seemed to be what impressed the rap community most. If anything, Eve brings even more muscle to her follow-up album, Scorpion. Her rhymes flow just as smoothly here as they did on her debut, and she sounds even more confident than before. Given her ensemble cast of producers and guest rappers, she probably should sound confident. When you have Swizz Beatz and Dr. Dre handling the better part of your album, along with a few other tracks handled by Ruff Ryder producers Teflon and DJ Shok, there isn't need to worry -- you know the beats are going to be cutting-edge. In terms of guests, the Ruff Ryders (DMX, Drag-On, and LOX) make their expected cameos. On paper, everything looks great -- more muscle, top producers, and top rappers. And the results are just that: great. A few songs really stand out here: the lead-off single "Who's That Girl?," a Teflon track with a quick tempo and an extremely catchy chorus; "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," a Dr. Dre/Scott Storch track with an unmistakable 2001 sound and a smooth R&B chorus featuring Gwen Stefani on backup vocals; and "Life Is Hard," a unique soulful moment late in the album with Teena Marie contributing a diva chorus and Eve dropping some heartfelt lyrics. At 16 tracks, this album doesn't overreach and really doesn't have too many surprises. There are a few flawed moments where the choruses aren't as catchy as they intend to be, but for the most part Eve plays it safe. If you liked her first album, you'll like this one even better. ~ Jason Birchmeier Eve's 1999 debut album LET THERE BE EVE found this feisty female rapper emerging definitively from the shadow of the Ruff Ryders crew, establishing herself as a hip-hop artist to be reckoned with. Eve's up-front approach and image betray no weakness, but on SCORPION she's comfortable enough with her credibility to allow for melodic pop hooks like the tasty, Gwen Stefani-sung chorus of "Who's That Girl?" in the arrangements. "Swallow it up while I shove it down" is the imperative Eve directs to those who thought she'd be a one-hit wonder. If anything, SCORPION improves upon the first album, employing a wider range of styles that adds some funk and R&B to the mix, and utilizing a wider sonic palette. Of course, it's Eve's lyrical skills and forthright, confident approach that add the definitive signature to this impressive sophomore effort. Eve's 1999 debut album LET THERE BE EVE found this feisty female rapper emerging definitively from the shadow of the Ruff Ryders crew, establishing herself as a hip-hop artist to be reckoned with. Eve's up-front approach and image betray no weakness, but on SCORPION she's comfortable enough with her credibility to allow for melodic pop hooks like the tasty, Gwen Stefani-sung chorus of "Who's That Girl?" in the arrangements. "Swallow it up while I shove it down" is the imperative Eve directs to those who thought she'd be a one-hit wonder. If anything, SCORPION improves upon the first album, employing a wider range of styles that adds some funk and R&B to the mix, and utilizing a wider sonic palette. Of course, it's Eve's lyrical skills and forthright, confident approach that add the definitive signature to this impressive sophomore effort.

Rolling Stone (3/29/01, p.63) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Mired in the sound of her heyday, still talking tough and inviting all her friends to step up for this 16 track party and rave....All the eleaborate tricks of gold-dripping hip-hop boast records are in place..." Rolling Stone (3/29/01, p.63) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Mired in the sound of her heyday, still talking tough and inviting all her friends to step up for this 16 track party and rave....All the eleaborate tricks of gold-dripping hip-hop boast records are in place..." Spin (5/01, p.141) - 7 out of 10 - "...Eve has moved her Ruff Ryders to the back half, scored some marquee-value collaborators, and found 2 guys who can mimic Swizz Beatz....The prime value of [this] album is that the music is so legible..." Spin (5/01, p.141) - 7 out of 10 - "...Eve has moved her Ruff Ryders to the back half, scored some marquee-value collaborators, and found 2 guys who can mimic Swizz Beatz....The prime value of [this] album is that the music is so legible..." Entertainment Weekly (12/28/01, p.136) - Ranked #4 "Album of the Year" in EW's "Best of 2001". Entertainment Weekly (3/9/01, pp.78-9) - "...Rooted in hardcore stomp, rhymes, boasts, and slams...SCORPION whacks out its own path with a sharp machete....[It] pumps up the volume, the rhythms, everything..." - Rating: A Entertainment Weekly (12/28/01, p.136) - Ranked #4 "Album of the Year" in EW's "Best of 2001". Entertainment Weekly (3/9/01, pp.78-9) - "...Rooted in hardcore stomp, rhymes, boasts, and slams...SCORPION whacks out its own path with a sharp machete....[It] pumps up the volume, the rhythms, everything..." - Rating: A Q (5/01, p.106) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A rap blockbuster: big budget, all-star cast and a leading lady styled to perfection....Swizz Beatz providing gleaming hooks and club-friendly beats by the truckload so that every track sounds like a hit..." Q (5/01, p.106) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A rap blockbuster: big budget, all-star cast and a leading lady styled to perfection....Swizz Beatz providing gleaming hooks and club-friendly beats by the truckload so that every track sounds like a hit..." NME (Magazine) (3/3/01, p.32) - 10 out of 10 - "...The strongest, sexiest, most determined, focused, joyful and inspirational album you'll hear this year. Ladies, this one's for you..." NME (Magazine) (3/3/01, p.32) - 10 out of 10 - "...The strongest, sexiest, most determined, focused, joyful and inspirational album you'll hear this year. Ladies, this one's for you..."

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