Ruff Ryders' First Lady
Rather than a full-fledged coming-out party for this tough-minded rapper,Ruff Ryders' First Ladyseems more like a sequel to theRyde or Die, Vol. 1compilation. Ryders bossDMX,Missy Elliott, and other guests take mic time equal to that of the album's nominal star, making performances such as "Scenario 2000" posse cuts more than reflections of Eve's state of mind. She does get her own thing going on "Love Is Blind"--the angry expression of sisterhood in the face of male abuse thatChante Moore's "Chante's Got a Man" should've been--and "My Bitches," which praises students and job holders as much as the gangstas who get props on other tracks.--Rickey Wright