Eve Reveals ‘Lip Lock’ Album Artwork, Says She’s ‘Almost a New Artist’ [Photo]

Eve’s official return is almost upon us. May 14th is the day Eve will finally release her long-awaited album, Lip Lock. She spoke exclusively to Billboard about the forthcoming LP and lets us know what to expect.

According to Eve the bold metallic lip she wears wasn’t easy to come by; balance was key. Eve tells The Juice that by just showing her face on the cover, listeners are welcome to engage in the album’s various moods.

“I don’t want people to take [Lip Lock] too seriously,” she says. “I’m not trying to relive any moments of my life. I’m in a new place in my life. I’m almost a new artist. It’s a fun record.”

The 12-song effort features appearances from both old friends, such as Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatz, and new friends like Cobra Starship’s Gabe Saporta. Saporta is featured on the album’s lead single, “Make it Out this Town.”

“Make it Out This Town” was chosen as the lead single after Eve became the US female ambassador for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America. Striving to deliver a single with a positive message for the airwaves, Eve says “Make it Out This Town” is an uplifting song that in turn serves as a direct representation of her personal and professional growth.

“This record is so me,” she says of “Make It Out This Town.” “No pretending. It’s exciting to let people hear where I am musically, artistically, and as a woman.”

Employing similar sentiments to the rest of the album, Eve says there’s a meaning behind every track. “Lip Lock” sprinkles her soulful sentiments in a mixture of her urban grit, bubblegum pop vibes. The rapper hopes fans will be open to discovering “the new Eve,” but promises Ruff Ryder’s first lady isn’t far away.

“I just hope that some of my fans, especially the ones that grew up with me, will just take [‘Lip Lock’] how it is and have an open mind, head and heart,” she continues. “Hopefully [fans] will say, ‘Let me listen to where she is now.’ You will recognize me from Ruff Ryders [and] lyrically I’m still that girl.”