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Da Brat

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Da Brat
Da Brat in 2018
Da Brat in 2018
Background information
Birth nameShawntae Harris
Born (1974-04-14) April 14, 1974 (age 50)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
EducationKenwood Academy
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • actress
InstrumentsVocals
Spouse
​
(m. 2022)​
Children1
RelativesLisaRaye McCoy (sister)
Years active1992–present
Labels

Shawntae Harris-Dupart (née Harris; born April 14, 1974), better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, she began her career in 1992 and signed with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings two years later to release her debut studio album, Funkdafied (1994). Receiving platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), it became the first album by a female hip hop solo act to do so.[a]

The album was supported by the 1994 lead single of the same name, which peaked at number six on Billboard Hot 100, along with her guest appearance alongside Lisa Lopes, Missy Elliott and Angie Martinez on Lil' Kim's 1997 single "Not Tonight." Furthermore, "Funkdafied" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, while "Not Tonight" peaked at number three.[1] Her second album, Anuthatantrum (1996) spawned the single "Ghetto Love" (featuring T-Boz), while her third, Unrestricted (2000) peaked at number five on the Billboard 200. During the late 1990s–2000s, she guest performed on Dem Franchize Boyz's single "I Think They Like Me," the remixes of Mariah Carey's "Loverboy," "Always Be My Baby," and "Honey," and the 1999 mashup "I Still Believe/Pure Imagination." With Carey, she released the 2003 duet "Gotta Thing For You," a hip hop-inspired version of the Bobby Caldwell song "What You Won't Do For Love."[2] Harris has received two Grammy Award nominations.

Early life and education

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Da Brat was born on April 14, 1974 in Chicago, Illinois,[3][4][5] and was raised primarily on the West Side of the city.[6] Her father, David Ray McCoy, was a businessman, and her mother, Nadine Brewer, was a city bus driver.[7][8] Her parents never married, and Brat was subsequently raised in two different households. She lived part-time with her mother, and part with her grandmother, attending an Apostolic church four times a week and singing in the choir. Brat is the paternal half-sister of actress LisaRaye "Lisa Raye" McCoy. Da Brat attended Kenwood Academy during her sophomore and junior year, where she ran track and played basketball. She graduated from the Academy of Scholastic Achievement, a continuation charter school that caters to at-risk students in 1992.[9]

Career

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1992–1995: Early success

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In 1992, Da Brat's big break occurred when she won the grand prize in a local rap contest sponsored by Yo! MTV Raps. As part of her prize, Brat met the young rap duo Kris Kross and was introduced to their producer, Jermaine Dupri; Brat was eventually signed to his So So Def label, with Dupri remaining a collaborator, friend and fixture throughout the entirety of Brat's career. Her debut album, Funkdafied (1994), entered the Billboard hip hop albums chart at #11. The album went platinum, making her the first solo female rapper to exceed one million records sold. The album's lead single, "Funkdafied", reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her follow-up single from the album, "Give It 2 You", reached #26 on the Hot 100.[10]

The Essence article "Da Brat's Best Fashion Looks" highlights the evolution and impact of Da Brat's unique style throughout her career. It showcases her distinctive fashion choices, blending hip-hop culture with personal flair, making her a fashion icon. The article features her signature looks, such as iconic braids and oversized jerseys, emphasizing how her bold style complements her musical career and influences the fashion industry. Da Brat's fearless approach to fashion has inspired many, solidifying her role in shaping hip-hop fashion and beyond.[11]

1996–1999: Collaborations and film projects

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In 1996, Da Brat released her second full-length album, Anuthatantrum, which included the single "Ghetto Love" featuring T-Boz of TLC. Over the course of the 1990s, Brat came to be recognized for her comedic timing, her laidback attitude, and her many memorable guest-spots on other artists' songs. She was featured with Kris Kross on the title track of their album Da Bomb (1993), as well as on their third album, Young, Rich and Dangerous (1996). A long-time friend of singer Mariah Carey, Brat contributed a rap verse to the So So Def remix of Carey's #1 single "Always Be My Baby" in 1996, which also featured Dupri and fellow So So Def group Xscape. That same year, Brat made her feature film debut in Kazaam (1996), starring Shaquille O'Neal.

The late 1990s saw Da Brat featured in many high-profile collaborations, including her appearance on a remix of Dru Hill's 1997 song "In My Bed". That same year, she and Dupri also appeared on a remix of Mariah Carey's #1 single "Honey", entitled "Honey (So So Def mix)"; Brat also recorded a hit remix of "Ladies' Night (Not Tonight)" with Lil' Kim, Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes (of TLC), Angie Martinez, and Missy Elliott. The quintet gave an Ancient Egypt/Roman-themed performance of the song at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. Brat was then featured in "Sock It 2 Me" by Elliott, off of her debut album Supa Dupa Fly (1997), and starred in its accompanying music video. In 1999, she was featured with Krayzie Bone (of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony) on Carey's "I Still Believe (Imagination Remix)", originally by Brenda K. Starr; the remixed version creatively samples the melodies of "Pure Imagination", originally performed by Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). That same year, Brat was featured again with Missy Elliott on Mariah Carey's remix of "Heartbreaker" (1999), and starred in the accompanying music video. She also joined Carey for several televised promotional performances, including on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The remix samples the song "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" (1993) by Snoop Dogg, who also appears in the music video, and Brat composed her verses loosely based on the original. By the end of 1999, she had also contributed a verse to the remix of Brandy's "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)", as well as to a remix of the Destiny's Child hit "Jumpin', Jumpin'".

2000–2003: Return to solo work

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In early 2000, Da Brat released her third full-length album, Unrestricted, preceded by the single "That's What I'm Looking For" (U.S. #56), which was featured on the soundtrack to Big Momma's House (2000). She also released "What'chu Like" (U.S. #26), featuring R&B singer Tyrese. The album was not as well-received as Brat's earlier work. However, the record and the new millennium saw an image change for Da Brat, deviating from her "gangsta", tomboy persona, and deciding to follow the "sexy" trend in popular music. The new album featured Da Brat reciting more forward, sexually-charged lyrics and wearing more revealing, feminine outfits. In 2001, Brat continued being featured on other artists' songs, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart (along with Cameo and rappers Ludacris and Shawnna) on the remix of Mariah Carey's "Loverboy". The same year, she was featured on Destiny's Child's "Survivor" remix. Da Brat also appeared as friend Louise in Carey's 2001 movie Glitter. In 2003, Brat released her fourth album, titled Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz, including the single "In Love wit Chu" which peaked at peaked at #9 on the Billboard rhythmic chart. At the same time, she appeared on the fourth season of VH1's The Surreal Life.

2005–present: Current activities

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In 2005, she made a comeback of sorts when she was featured on the remix of the song "I Think They Like Me", by Dem Franchize Boyz, which also featured Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2006, she was an onstage guest on Mariah Carey's The Adventures of Mimi Tour in Atlanta, New York City, Long Island, Washington DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles performing her rap verses on the "Heartbreaker" and "Honey" remixes. She was also featured on Kelly Rowland's "Gotsta Go", a bonus track from her 2007 album Ms. Kelly and is also featured on "4real4real", a bonus track from Carey's E=MC². She also co-wrote a song with Carey called "O.O.C." which appears on E=MC² and contributes backing vocals on the track. In 2007, she participated in the fifth season of the VH1 reality series Celebrity Fit Club. In 2011, she did a remix with Kelly Rowland called "Motivation" featuring Lil Wayne. Following her release from prison, she launched a web series about life after the experience titled "Brat Chronicles: In Transition" on YouTube.[12] She released her new single "Is It Chu?" on iTunes and other digital services on July 2, 2013.[13] She now works for the Rickey Smiley Morning show as a co-host (July 2015 – present) and is part of the Dish Nation cast out of Atlanta. Since 2016, Da Brat has appeared on the reality TV series The Rap Game, as a mentor to young talent. In 2017 Da Brat joined the reality TV series Growing up Hip Hop: Atlanta which follows around Atlanta legends and children of Atlanta legends.[14]

Personal life

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Da Brat dated Allen Iverson in the late 1990s.[15] In an interview with Variety in March 2020, she discussed coming out as bisexual and why it took her 25 years to do so.[16] On March 26, 2020, Da Brat confirmed that she is in a relationship with hair product businesswoman Jesseca Dupart.[17] On February 22, 2022, Da Brat and Dupart married in Georgia.[18]

Da Brat, a hip-hop icon, publicly came out in March 2020 through an emotional Instagram post where she announced her relationship with Jesseca Dupart, CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products. In an interview, Da Brat shared that she had always preferred privacy but felt the need to meet in the middle with her partner, who is a social media mogul. The decision to come out was spontaneous, and Da Brat expressed how good it felt to share her happiness with the world.[19]

Da Brat announced in February 2023 that she is expecting her first child. She had surgery to remove fibroids and polyps prior to an embryo transfer procedure and suffered a miscarriage before the current pregnancy.[20] She gave birth to their son on July 6, 2023.[21][22]

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In 2001, Da Brat pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct after she had battered a woman with a gun during a dispute over VIP seating in an Atlanta nightclub in 2000. The victim in that incident received six stitches for a head wound. Da Brat ended up serving a year's probation, performed 80 hours of community service, and paid a $1,000 fine.[23]

On October 31, 2007, Da Brat was involved in an altercation that ended in assault at a Halloween party held at Studio 72 nightclub near Atlanta. Da Brat initially argued with a hostess, ex-NFL cheerleader Shayla Stevens, and when the hostess walked away to talk to her manager, Da Brat attacked her from behind, striking her in the face with a rum bottle. The waitress was rushed to an area hospital, and police arrested and jailed Da Brat. In court, Da Brat pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges. She was sentenced in August 2008 to three years in prison, seven years of probation, and 200 hours of community service.[23] In May 2010, she was temporarily released from prison as part of a work-release program,[24] after serving 21 months. On February 28, 2011, Da Brat was released from prison, according to her boss Jermaine Dupri.[25] Her civil trial stemming from the 2007 altercation commenced on February 24, 2014.[26] On February 28, 2014, a civil trial jury awarded the assault victim $6.4 million to cover her injuries and past/future loss of earnings.

Discography

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Main article: Da Brat discography
Studio albums

Tours

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Joint tour

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 Kazaam Herself
2001 Carmen: A Hip Hopera Narrator TV movie
Glitter Louise
2002 Civil Brand Sabrina
2006 30 Days Kamesha
2018 Canal Street Herself
2021 Envy: Seven Deadly Sins Herself TV movie

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1994–95 All That Herself Episode: "Da Brat" & "Larisa Oleynik/Da Brat"
1995–97 It's Showtime at the Apollo Herself Recurring Guest
1996–2003 Soul Train Herself Recurring Guest
1997–98 The Parent 'Hood Bernice "Boo" Walker Recurring Cast: Season 4
2000 Making the Video Herself Episode: "Da Brat: What'Chu Like"
The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2001 The Andy Dick Show Herself Episode: "Come Back Quentin"
2002 Weakest Link Herself Episode: "Rap Stars"
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Baby K2K Episode: "Shift Happens"
2003 Intimate Portrait Herself Episode: "Mariah Carey"
2005 The Surreal Life Herself Main Cast: Season 4
2007 Celebrity Rap Superstar Herself/Judge Main Judge
Celebrity Fit Club Herself Main Cast: Season 5
2008 Hollywood Trials Herself Episode: "Episode #1.6"
2012 Unsung Herself Episode: "Millie Jackson"
2014–19 The Real Housewives of Atlanta Herself Recurring Cast: Seasons 7 & 10 & 12, Guest: Season 8
2015 Empire Jezzy Episode: "Et Tu, Brute?"
2015–present Dish Nation Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host: Season 4–present
2017 Hip Hop Squares Herself Recurring Guest
Star Herself Episode: "A House Divided"
2017–21 Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta Herself Recurring Cast: Seasons 1-2a, Main Cast: Seasons 2b-4
2018 Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Rickey Smiley"
2021–24 The Chi LaPorsha Recurring role
2021–22 Brat Loves Judy Herself Main Cast
2022 Celebrity Family Feud Herself/Contestant Episode: "Simu Liu vs. Nathan Chen and Monica vs. So So Def"
Step Up: High Water Herself Recurring Cast: Season 3
2023 Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop Herself Episode: "What Are They Up Against?"
Saturdays Princess Episode: "Don't Clown the Duchess"
2023–24 Married to Medicine Herself Recurring Cast: Season 10
2024 Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta Herself Episode: "Reddy or Not"

Music videos

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Year Song Artist
1994 "Da Bomb" Kris Kross
1995 "One More Chance" The Notorious B.I.G.
1997 "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" Missy Elliott
2001 "Ghetto Girls" Lil' Bow Wow
2005 "Shake It Off" Mariah Carey

Documentary

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Year Title
1997 Rhyme & Reason

Awards and nominations

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Grammy Awards [27]

Year Nominated work Award Result
1998 "Not Tonight" Remix Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated
2004 "Got It Poppin'" Best Female Rap Solo Performance Nominated

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards [28]

Year Nominated work Award Result
1995 Funkdafied Best Rap Album Won

BET Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2001 Da Brat Best Female Hip-Hop Artist Nominated
2004 Nominated

Billboard Awards [29]

Year Nominated work Award Result
1994 Da Brat #1 Rap Artist Won

References

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  1. ^ "Da Brat Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "Da Brat's Best songs". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Kernodle, Tammy Lynn; Maxile, Horace Joseph (December 3, 2011). Encyclopedia of African American Music. ABC-CLIO. p. 196. ISBN 9780313342004 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Hess, Mickey (November 3, 2009). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. ABC-CLIO. p. 326. ISBN 9780313343216 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (December 3, 2004). Joel Whitburn Presents Top R & B/hip-hop Singles, 1942-2004. Record Research Incorporated. ISBN 9780898201604 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Allah, Sha Be (April 14, 2021). "Happy 47th Birthday To Da Brat! - The Source". TheSource.com.
  7. ^ "IMAGINEI MAGAZINE". LaptrinhX. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  8. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (May 3, 1996). "Ebony". Johnson Publishing Company. p. 40 – via Google Books. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ "Da Brat". KOKY-FM. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  10. ^ "Da Brat". Billboard.
  11. ^ Howard, Nandi (November 4, 2020). "Check Out Da Brat's Best Fashion Moments Throughout The Years". Essence.
  12. ^ "Da Brat Documents Life After Prison In New Series "Brat Chronicles: In Transition" (EPISODE 1)". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  13. ^ "Video: Da Brat – 'Is It Chu'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  14. ^ "About". WE tv. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  15. ^ "Da Brat Opens Up About Dating Allen Iverson, Says They 'Never Talked About' Her Bisexuality". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  16. ^ Herman, James Patrick (June 3, 2020). "Da Brat's Coming Out Story Is 25 Years in the Making". Variety. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  17. ^ "Rapper da Brat Comes Out, Shows World Her Girlfriend". March 26, 2020.
  18. ^ "Da Brat Marries 'Twin Flame' Judy Dupart on 2/22/22: 'We Get to Show the World We're a Union'". People. February 23, 2022.
  19. ^ Shaffer, Claire (June 3, 2020). "Da Brat Discusses Why She Came Out After More Than 20 Years". Rolling Stone.
  20. ^ France, Lisa Respers (February 21, 2023). "Da Brat is pregnant at 48". CNN. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  21. ^ Chan, Anna (July 7, 2023). "Da Brat Gives Birth to First Child With Wife Jesseca Harris-Dupart: 'Feels Like a Dream'". Billboard.
  22. ^ "Da Brat Is Having A Baby! The Rapper Opened Up About Being Hesitant About Carrying A Child Of Her Own". BuzzFeed. February 21, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Da Brat Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Atlanta Nightclub Fight". Mtv.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  24. ^ "Da Brat Out of Prison On Work Release, Ready To Get To Work". Ballerstatus.Com. May 28, 2010. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  25. ^ "Rapper Da Brat Released From Prison". Cinemablend.com. March 1, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  26. ^ Garner, Marcus K. (February 19, 2014). "Lawsuit against Da Brat goes to court next week". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  27. ^ "Winners Data". grammy.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  28. ^ "Aaliyah, Stacy Dash, Total and Da Brat @ Soul Train Awards (1995)". KlassicThrowbackTV. August 23, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  29. ^ "Winners Data". billboardmusicawards.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  1. ^ The first album by a female hip hop act to do so was Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986) by Salt-N-Pepa — a duo.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Da Brat.
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