Reviewing History: Eve – Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady (1999)

Eve – Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady (1999)

Hungry Blvd Rating: 8/ 10

When Eve dropped her debut album in 1999, the rap landscape was heavily dominated by men, and the Ruff Ryders camp was known strictly for aggressive, barking street anthems. Stepping in as the "First Lady" of the crew, the Philadelphia native had massive expectations on her shoulders. She didn’t just meet them; she became the third female hip-hop artist in history to have an album debut at number one on the Billboard 200. This project proved that Eve could stand toe-to-toe with heavyweights like DMX and The Lox while carving out a distinct, fiercely independent lane for herself.

The production is a masterclass in the late-90s Ruff Ryders sound, handled almost entirely by a young Swizz Beatz. The beats are frantic, synth-heavy, and aggressive, providing the perfect canvas for Eve's sharp, confident, and effortless flow. What makes the album a classic, however, is its thematic range. Eve transitions flawlessly from gritty battle raps alongside her labelmates to deeply introspective and vulnerable tracks tackling domestic violence and heartbreak. It strikes a rare balance between club-ready anthems and substantive street poetry.

The cover art is a perfect encapsulation of late-90s futuristic hip-hop design. The composition centers on a portrait of Eve with her signature blonde haircut, showcasing the iconic Ruff Ryders paw print tattoos on her chest. The background utilizes a dark, digital grid of repeating text that draws the eye directly to the center.   

From a design standpoint, the typography is the absolute standout. The massive, 3D metallic chrome "EVE" logo anchoring the bottom of the cover is exactly the kind of premium, high-impact aesthetic that defines top-tier album design. Sitting just above it is the "RUFF RYDERS' FIRST LADY" subtitle in a clean, modern, stretched sans-serif font. If you place this cover against a solid pitch-black background on your website, that glowing 3D metallic chrome lettering will completely dominate the screen.   

JPG+ 1

Track-by-Track Breakdown

1. First Lady (Intro) (1:36) A cinematic, dramatic opening that sets the stage for Eve’s arrival as the queen of the Ruff Ryders camp. Score: 6/10

2. Let's Talk About (feat. Drag-On) (3:31) A high-energy, bounce-heavy Swizz Beatz production. Eve and Drag-On trade bars effortlessly, establishing her ability to out-rap her male counterparts right out of the gate. Score: 8/10

3. Gotta Man (4:24) The second single from the album and a massive radio hit. It’s a catchy, upbeat anthem where Eve shows off her mainstream appeal without compromising her street edge. Score: 8.5/10

4. Philly Cheese Steak (Skit) (1:37) An era-typical skit paying homage to her hometown. Score: 3/10

5. Philly Philly (feat. Beanie Sigel) (2:57) A gritty, hard-hitting collaboration between two Philadelphia heavyweights. Beanie and Eve bring incredible regional energy to this track. Score: 8/10

6. Stuck Up (feat. C.J.) (3:53) A bouncy, braggadocious track where Eve addresses her haters and asserts her newfound status. The Swizz production is signature late-90s club material. Score: 7.5/10

7. Ain't Got No Dough (feat. Missy Elliott) (4:17) Pairing Eve with Missy Elliott is a cheat code. This track is a fun, infectious anthem brushing off broke suitors, with Missy providing her legendary vocal ad-libs. Score: 8/10

8. BM (Skit) (1:01) A brief narrative interlude setting up the emotional weight of the next track. Score: 3/10

9. Love Is Blind (feat. Faith Evans) (4:20) The emotional core of the album. Eve tackles the devastating reality of domestic violence, supported by a haunting, soulful hook from Faith Evans. It remains one of the most powerful hip-hop songs of the decade. Score: 10/10

10. Scenario 2000 (feat. DMX, The Lox, Drag-On) (3:50) The ultimate Ruff Ryders posse cut. Eve holds her own in a cipher packed with some of the most intimidating voices in rap history. Score: 8.5/10

11. Dog Match (feat. DMX) (4:19) A chaotic, barking duet with DMX. The energy is off the charts, and it perfectly encapsulates the raw, aggressive spirit of the label. Score: 8/10

12. My Bitches (Skit) (1:08) Another brief interlude breaking up the pacing. Score: 3/10

13. We On That Shit! (feat. P. Killer Trackz) (3:25) A frantic, up-tempo Swizz beat. It’s a solid album cut, though it feels a bit repetitive coming immediately after the massive posse cuts. Score: 6.5/10

14. Chokin' (Skit) (0:43) A short, forgettable skit. Score: 2/10

15. Heaven Only Knows (5:29) Eve gets introspective and spiritual, reflecting on her journey, her struggles, and her future. It’s a fantastic, atmospheric deep cut. Score: 8/10

16. What Y'all Want (Remix) (feat. Nokio) (4:05) The track that originally broke Eve onto the scene (via DJ Clue's mixtape). It’s a classic, Latin-infused bounce that still lights up parties today. Score: 9/10

17. Spanish (Skit) (0:29) A quick skit to close out the narrative structure. Score: 2/10

18. Maneater (Bonus Track) (4:27) An aggressive, sharp-tongued bonus cut that leaves listeners

with one final reminder of her lyrical capability. Score: 7/10

The Verdict Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady is a triumph of late-90s hip-hop. Eve proved she was far more than just a token female member of a rugged rap crew; she was a versatile, dynamic superstar capable of delivering club bangers, battle raps, and profound emotional narratives all on the same disc. While it suffers slightly from the mandatory skit-bloat of the era, the highs are legendary.