Today’s guest is quite simply one of the most iconic voices in hip hop and R&B.

She’s the artist behind some of the biggest tracks of the early 2000s, including Who’s That Girl, Let Me Blow Ya Mind with Gwen Stefani, and Gangsta Lovin’. These are songs that defined an era and still feel just as fresh today. It is of course, Eve.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Eve, rose to global fame as part of the legendary Ruff Ryders crew, working alongside names like DMX and Dr. Dre, before carving out her own hugely successful solo career. She became the third female rapper in history to have a number one album on the Billboard 200, won a Grammy, starred in film and television, and has remained one of the most respected and trailblazing women in the industry.

But beyond the music, there’s a whole other side to Eve, one shaped by travel. As she told me, she still feels like that “little girl from Philadelphia who got to see the world because of her music” . In this episode, we explore exactly how that journey has unfolded.

I spoke to Eve a couple of weeks ago in person on the South Bank in London, in the beautiful Big Ben Balcony suite of the London Marriott County Hall, looking out over the houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge.

From childhood trips to the Jersey Shore, to falling in love with Jamaica, to building a life here in London, which she now calls home, I know you’re going to love this one.

Holly’s Destination Recap:

- Naturhotel Forsthofgut, Austria

Eve’s Destination Recap:

Jersey Shore, USA
Kingston, Jamaica
Bob Marley Beach, Jamaica
Negril, Jamaica
London
Ibiza
Es Vedra, Ibiza
New York, USA
Slovenia
Kasakhstan
Colorado, USA
Oman

Eve's Scorpion 25th Anniversary Edition (Red and Black Splatter, 2LP) is out now here

This episode was recorded at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall.

With thanks to…

Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host

Saily - Download SAILY in your app store and use our code traveldiaries at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase

If you enjoyed this episode, please hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening. It really helps the podcast grow, allows me to keep bringing you these incredible guests - and it means you’re delivered a fresh dose of wanderlust each week

And if you’d like a little more Travel Diaries in your life, you can find me on Instagram and TikTok @hollyrubenstein.

Thanks so much for listening, and I’ll see you next week.

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Eve, Grammy-winning hip hop star