Da Brat
Real Name: Shawntae Harris
Birthdate: April 14, 1974
Birthplace: Chicago, IL
Home: College Park, GA
Shawntae Harris, a.k.a. Da Brat, is a 21 year old female rapper from Chicago,
IL. As part of Kriss Kross's 1992 concert tour, which Da Brat attended, they
had a freestyle contest. Da Brat, intent on winning the $50 prize money, gave
a go at it and came out 1st place. Jermaine Dupri, Kriss Kross' producer and
owner of So So Def records, noted Da Brat's skill and style and talked with her
about a record deal.
Da Brat is now living in Atlanta, G.A. with her hairdresser (Nicole Jackson),
and a friend. Nearby is So So Def's recording studio, where Da Brat and J.D.
spend hours remixing tracks. Da Brat's first album, "Funkdafied" was
released around November 1993 and became the first ever platinum album
by a female rap artist. It produced the hit singles "F All Y'All", "Give It 2 You",
and "Funkdafied'.
Da Brat's new album, "Anuthatantrum" was
released on October 29. It includes her new
video and single "Sittin' On Top Of The World",
as well as "Just A Little Bit More" and "Ghetto
Love". The new album was long awaited,
however, it remains to be seen if it will do as
well as "Funkdafied" did back in '93.
The new video for "Sittin' On Top Of The World"
has Da Brat putting on a tough-type pose,
riding on the roof of a truck and dancing
around in an industrial building. J.D.'s short
part "go ahead baby" at the end of the chorus
is illustrated by him driving a new Porshe
through a tunnel. She makes her acting debut
this year in Full Court Press, as Kameesha, the
girlfriend of a basketball playing star. Da Brat
says, "I felt like 'hey, this right here might let
people see what I can do; let them see me be
someone other that Da Brat.' When
opportunity knocks, I'm not going to turn the
other cheek." While many people think Da Brat
keeps on fronting, she puts the truth in their
mouth.
"It ain't a thing fake about me," she said in an
interview. "no fake hair, no fake nails, and I
really am a brat. I always get anything I want. If my mom didn't get it for me,
my grandma did." Spoiled behavior aside, Da Brat has risen to status of one
of the most popular female M.C.s, beyond that of Foxxy Brown or Lil' Kim. It
goes to show that just because you don't front with Versace' shades doesn't
mean you won't make a hit.
Email: fourtay@hotmail.com
