Eve is set to return after a four-year absence with a star-studded new album.
The star will release her fourth LP, ’Here I Am’, later this year.
The record, her follow-up to 2002’s ’Eve-olution’, will feature contributions from long time producer Dr Dre and Timbaland.
“It feels like a first album,” said Eve of her return. “I haven’t been out in four years and I felt like I had to roll the dice. Why put out an album that sounds like (all the others)? I had to get out of the box – for myself.
“I didn’t want it to be too serious. When I get up – no matter what time – if I turn on music I move a little faster. If I’m driving it clears my head, so I just wanted to make a feelgood album that people can listen to and rock out to.”
The rapper worked with Pharrell Williams on the track ’All Night Long’, which features Eve singing, something she was reluctant to do.
She told Billboard: “Pharrell made me sing a whole song. I finally got up the nerve (but) I feel like I was bullied into it. But it’s one of my favourite songs on the album. I was really stressed about it, but it was fun to do.
“I consider myself somebody who can maybe hold a note on a good day. I sang hooks before, which is super easy, but I had to get out of my comfort zones.”
Beyonce collaborator Swizz Beatz has produced the song ’Tambourine’, which is reportedly being considered as the first physical single. Billboard reports that the first ‘unofficial’ single will be ’Cashflow’, featuring rapper T.I.
A release date for the album is yet to be confirmed.