In Who’s That Girl: An Autobiography, Eve Jihan Jeffers-Cooper, better known to GenX and Millennials simply as Eve (orr E.V.E)opens the door to her life and legacy, offering an intimate glimpse into her journey from the tough streets of Philadelphia to global stardom. For anyone who remembers the Ruff Ryders’ First Lady spitting raw verses alongside DMX late ’90s, this memoir feels like both a nostalgic trip back in time and an eye-opener.

At its core, Who’s That Girl isn’t just about Eve’s music career but about the multifaceted woman behind the hits. As Eve chronicles her life, she invites readers to see beyond the flashy music videos and chart-topping success. She talks candidly about her tumultuous upbringing, the struggles of growing up in Philly, and how she navigated an industry notorious for its mistreatment of women, especially Black women. Eve also digs deep into her personal battles, including a period of addiction and the emotional toll that fame took on her mental health.

Eve’s story is one of perseverance. She traces her early days of when she discovered poetry, then hiphop, to being discovered by Dr. Dre and eventually landing her big break with the Ruff Ryders. What stands out is her ability to detail these life-altering moments with honesty, showing readers that success is rarely straightforward or glamorous.

For fans of hip-hop, this book is a rare chance to see the behind-the-scenes dynamics of an era that produced some of the most iconic figures in the genre. Eve sheds light on the Ruff Ryders collective, the camaraderie, and the struggles of being the only woman in a testosterone-heavy crew. The tension of navigating her identity as a female emcee, in an industry quick to box women into one-dimensional roles, runs throughout the narrative. When her first single dropped Jay-Z called her not as a congratulatory call but to ‘advise’ her that the hip-hop game wasn’t for women,from that moment Eve made Jay her personal competitor, her Mount Kilimanjaro metaphorically speaking.

Who’s That Girl is more than just a musical memoir. Eve explores her evolution beyond hip-hop. From her successful transition into acting (her sitcom Eve in the early 2000s, anyone?) to finding new paths in fashion, marriage, and motherhood, she highlights the importance of reinvention. Particularly poignant are her reflections on self-worth and relationships, especially her journey into becoming more at peace with her identity outside the public eye.

The book is fast-paced and conversational, very much like a one-on-one with Eve herself. For some, the episodic structure may feel like it jumps around, but this mirrors the reality of a life lived at the intersection of art, culture, and personal struggle.

Ultimately, Who’s That Girl stands as more than just a record of Eve’s achievements; it’s a manifesto for staying true to oneself in a world that often wants to define you on its own terms. For fans of hip-hop, especially those who grew up during the Ruff Ryders era, it’s a must-read. But beyond that, it’s a powerful testimony for anyone grappling with self-doubt or struggling to rise above their circumstances.

Eve proves that no matter where you start, who you are becoming is entirely up to you.

Rating: 4/5 – this would have been a straight up 5/5 if in the audiobook version the songs that were being referenced to were playing in the background!

For lovers of music, culture, and resilience, Who’s That Girl is a reminder that true power lies not just in talent but in survival and self-love.

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