Eve to release 'Here I Am' Early next year

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper and actor Eve is set to release her first solo album, Here I Am, in four years. Billboard.com reports that the project will be released through a joint venture between Dr. Dre's Aftermath label and Swizz Beatz'Full Surface record. No release date has been set for the project, which will also feature the production of Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Cool & Dre and newcomer Neo with guest spots by T.I. and Sizzla.

The rapper said, "It feels like a first album. 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 feel-good album that people can listen to and rock out to."

Eve leaked the song "Cashflow" featuring T.I., but plans are in the works to release an official single before the end of the year.

On the acting front, Eve's television show has been canceled after three seasons. The rapper explained, "I was really excited about it but I needed to get away from it to do music 'cause there's no way you can do both. I'm sad on one hand 'cause I really fell in love with the cast but this is something that I really want to do. I missed music."