Da Brat
Da Brat (Shawntae Harris) broke ground as the first female rapper to go platinum solo. Explore her rise in hip-hop, trials, transformation, and lasting legacy in music and culture.
Introduction
Shawntae Harris (born April 14, 1974), better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American rapper, songwriter, actress, and media personality.
She emerged in the early 1990s, signing with Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label, and in 1994 released her debut album Funkdafied, which earned platinum certification — making her the first female solo rap artist to sell one million copies.
Beyond music, Da Brat’s life includes public struggles, reinvention, acting, and a more recent openness about her personal life and identity. She remains a significant figure in hip-hop history.
Early Life and Family
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Shawntae Harris was born on April 14, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois, and raised primarily on the West Side.
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Her parents never married; Harris lived part of the time with her mother and part with her grandmother.
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She attended an Apostolic church four times a week and sang in the choir. Early musical exposure, especially rhythm and performance, contributed to her later style.
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Shawntae attended Kenwood Academy during her sophomore and junior years, where she also ran track and played basketball.
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She graduated from the Academy of Scholastic Achievement (a continuation charter school) in 1992.
Her half-sister is actress LisaRaye McCoy, through their paternal line.
Youth and Musical Beginnings
In 1992, Da Brat got a break by winning a local MC contest sponsored by Yo! MTV Raps. As a prize, she met the rap duo Kris Kross, who introduced her to producer Jermaine Dupri.
Dupri signed her to his So So Def label, and he played a key role in shaping her early public image and musical direction.
Her stage name “Da Brat” is said to reflect that she was often called a “brat” — possibly because she was an only child in some accounts.
Career and Achievements
Breakthrough: Funkdafied and Early Success
In 1994, Da Brat released Funkdafied, which debuted strongly on the charts and earned platinum status. She thus became the first solo female rapper to do so.
The title single “Funkdafied” also charted highly: it reached #1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Another single from the same album, “Give It 2 You,” charted at #26 on the Hot 100.
Subsequent Albums & Evolving Image
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Her second album, Anuthatantrum (1996), included the single “Ghetto Love” featuring T-Boz of TLC.
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In 2000, she released Unrestricted, which charted well and showed a shift in her musical and personal image (more mature, some sexual themes).
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Her fourth album, Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz (2003), continued her output, though the peak commercial heights were behind her.
Collaborations & Featured Appearances
Da Brat appeared on many remix tracks and guest features, including:
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The So So Def remix of Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” (with Dupri, among others)
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Lil’ Kim’s “Not Tonight (Remix)” alongside Missy Elliott, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Angie Martinez
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She joined the remix of Mariah Carey’s “Loverboy” and other remixes in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
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Later, she featured on tracks with Dem Franchize Boyz (e.g. remix of “I Think They Like Me”) which achieved chart success.
Acting, Media & Later Career
Da Brat has also worked as an actress and television personality:
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She had cameo/acting roles in films such as Kazaam (1996) and other movie/TV projects.
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She became a media personality, co-hosting the Rickey Smiley Morning Show starting in 2015.
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She has appeared on reality TV programs such as The Surreal Life, Celebrity Fit Club, Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta, and others.
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After serving time in prison, she launched a web series about life post-incarceration called Brat Chronicles: In Transition.
Challenges, Controversies & Redemption
Legal Trouble & Prison Sentence
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In 2001, Da Brat pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct after an incident in 2000 in which she struck a woman with a bottle during a seating dispute at an Atlanta nightclub.
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On October 31, 2007, she was involved in a more serious altercation during a Halloween party at a club in Atlanta (Studio 72), where she struck a hostess with a rum bottle, causing injuries.
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In August 2008, she pled guilty to aggravated assault charges and was sentenced to three years in prison, plus probation and community service.
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She was released on work release in May 2010 after serving about 21 months, and fully released in February 2011.
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In a civil trial related to that incident, a jury awarded the victim a $6.4 million judgment.
Personal & Identity Evolution
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In March 2020, Da Brat publicly came out as bisexual (some sources say lesbian) via Instagram, announcing her relationship with businesswoman Jesseca “Judy” Dupart.
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On February 22, 2022, Da Brat and Dupart were married in Georgia.
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In 2023, they welcomed their first child, a son named True Legend.
Her coming out and personal journey represent a significant shift—from someone who earlier may have kept personal matters private, to someone publicly embracing identity and family in the spotlight.
Legacy and Influence
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Da Brat’s platinum success with Funkdafied opened doors for female rappers in a male-dominated industry, showing that solo female MCs could achieve mass commercial success.
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Her style, confidence, and willingness to collaborate with pop and R&B artists helped bridge hip hop and mainstream audiences.
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Her resilience—coming back after legal and personal setbacks—serves as a narrative of redemption in the public eye.
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As a media personality and TV figure, she extended her reach beyond music, influencing culture, fashion, and entertainment.
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Her public coming-out added a new dimension of representation in hip-hop, contributing to more open discussions about sexuality, identity, and acceptance in a genre that has at times been hostile to LGBTQ voices.
Personality and Style
Da Brat is often seen as bold, unapologetic, and fluid in her artistry. She combined:
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Assertive lyricism: Confidence, swagger, and voice in her raps.
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Versatility: Ability to adapt — from “gangsta” persona to more mature themes.
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Resilience: Facing legal, financial, and personal challenges, yet maintaining relevance.
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Public transformation: Willingness to be vulnerable and share personal identity.
Her fashion, persona, and public presence have evolved over time, reflecting her growth rather than static image.
Famous Quotes
Da Brat is less known for aphoristic quotes compared to writers, but she has made statements that reflect her views on life, identity, art, and self-worth. Here are a few cited in interviews or public communications:
“I don’t give a fuck anymore; if I’m happy, that’s what matters.”
“You only really know who you are when everything is stripped away.” (Paraphrase from interviews—emphasis on authenticity in challenging times.)
“I had to reinvent myself. I had to find me again.” (Theme from public statements on rebirth post-incarceration; not always verbatim quoted.)
On her coming out: “I had always preferred privacy, but I felt like I should live out loud with the person I love.”
These reflect her evolving understanding of identity, self-acceptance, and public persona.
Lessons from Da Brat
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Break barriers, leave precedents. Her platinum milestone challenged assumptions about female rappers’ commercial potential.
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Reinvention is possible. Her career saw ups and downs—and she adapted, regardless of public judgment.
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Personal truth matters. Coming out later in her career shows the power and cost of authenticity.
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Strength through adversity. Legal, financial, and identity struggles did not define the whole story.
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Legacy beyond hits. Her impact lies in representation, visibility, and influence across media.
Conclusion
Da Brat’s story is one of breakthroughs, contradictions, courage, and evolution. From a young MC in Chicago to a platinum-selling trailblazer, she challenged norms in hip-hop. Her journey hasn’t been smooth—legal issues, public scrutiny, reinvention—but she has emerged as a resilient figure, embracing complexity and identity.
In music history, she stands as a female icon who pushed boundaries. In culture, she is an example of growth, vulnerability, and the value of living one’s truth.