Eve Shares How Bringing Her Mom to the 2002 Grammys Made Her Feel Validated

Eve at the Grammys in Los Angeles in February 2002; at the Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective in Los Angeles on Jan. 29, 2026.
Credit:

Vince Bucci/Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Need to Know

• Eve expressed that her attendance at the Grammys with her mother in 2002 symbolized a pivotal moment in her career.
• The musician is marking the 25th anniversary of her acclaimed 2001 album Scorpion this year.
• Eve shared her reflections exclusively with PEOPLE at the 2026 Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective on January 29.

On January 29, 2026, Eve took a nostalgic journey during the Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective, reminiscing about her first Grammy experience in 2002.

At 47, Eve reflected on how special that moment was, recalling she attended the ceremony with her mother. "I totally remember it," she told PEOPLE.

"It was for ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind,’ and I got my Grammy. My mom was my date. It was one of those moments when I felt like, ‘Yes!’ For my mom, it was my way of saying, ‘I’m going to be okay.’ I wasn’t the best student—I was a bit of a troublemaker in school. So to me, it felt like ‘I’ve arrived,’" said Eve, whose full name is Eve Cooper.

When asked if that experience served as a validation of her career, she firmly stated, "100%."

Eve also took the opportunity to praise fellow honorees Kirk Franklin and Pharrell Williams at the 2026 event, noting how their unique journeys have inspired her. "Especially for me, I would say… Love Kirk Franklin down. But for me, Pharrell—his style, his blending of hip-hop with various genres, and his fearless approach to artistry is incredibly inspiring," she remarked.

Reflecting on her most memorable style moment, Eve pointed to her iconic fiery red hair. "I’ve had so many styles, but the red stands out because it was associated with my Scorpion era," she explained. "As a Scorpio, embracing red was symbolic for me."

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Scorpion, and Eve remains in awe of the album’s enduring legacy. "I never say never to music," she said while discussing her future plans. "We’re exploring ideas for re-imagining some of those foundational tracks. That concept of breathing new life into the songs that helped launch my career really inspires me. We’ll see what unfolds," she hinted at the possibility of a revamped anniversary edition of Scorpion.