Da Brat
Da Brat | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Shawntae Harris |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | April 14, 1974
Education | Kenwood Academy |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) |
|
Instruments | Vocals |
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
Relatives | LisaRaye McCoy (half-sister) |
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels |
|
Shawntae Harris-Dupart (née Harris; born April 14, 1974), better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American
The album was supported by the 1994
Early life and education
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, in Joliet.[6] Her father is David Ray McCoy, 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
1992–1995: Early success
In 1992, Da Brat's big break occurred when she won the grand prize in a local
1996–1999: Collaborations and film projects
In 1996, Da Brat released her second full-length album,
The late 1990s saw Da Brat featured in many high-profile collaborations, including her appearance on a remix of
2000–2003: Return to solo work
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
In 2005, she made a comeback of sorts when she was featured on the remix of the song "
Personal life
Da Brat dated Allen Iverson in the late 1990s.[14] In an interview with Variety in March 2020, she discussed coming out as bisexual and why it took her 25 years to do so.[15] On March 26, 2020, Da Brat confirmed that she is in a relationship with hair product businesswoman Jesseca Dupart.[16] On February 22, 2022, Da Brat and Dupart married in Georgia.[17]
Da Brat announced in February 2023 that she and Harris-Dupart are growing their family and 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.[18] She gave birth to their son on July 6, 2023.[19]
Legal troubles and 2008 prison sentence
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.[20]
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
Discography
- Studio albums
- Funkdafied (1994)
- Anuthatantrum (1996)
- Unrestricted (2000)
- Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz (2003)
Tours
- Joint tour
- Rainbow World Tour (with Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott) (2000)
Filmography
Film
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
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 |
1996-03 | 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- | Dish Nation | Herself/Co-Host | Main Co-Host: Season 4- |
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 | The Chi | LaPorsha | Episode: "Candyman" |
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
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
Year | Title |
---|---|
1997 | Rhyme & Reason |
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards [24]
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 [25]
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 [26]
Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1994 | Da Brat | #1 Rap Artist | Won |
References
- ^ "Da Brat Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Da Brat's Best songs". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ISBN 9780313342004– via Google Books.
- ISBN 9780313343216– via Google Books.
- ISBN 9780898201604– via Google Books.
- ^ Allah, Sha Be (April 14, 2021). "Happy 47th Birthday To Da Brat! - The Source". TheSource.com.
- ^ "IMAGINEI MAGAZINE". LaptrinhX. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (May 3, 1996). "Ebony". Johnson Publishing Company. p. 40 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Da Brat". KOKY-FM. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ "Da Brat". Billboard.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Video: Da Brat – 'Is It Chu'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ "About". WE tv. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ "Da Brat Opens Up About Dating Allen Iverson, Says They 'Never Talked About' Her Bisexuality". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ Herman, James Patrick (June 3, 2020). "Da Brat's Coming Out Story Is 25 Years in the Making". Variety. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "Rapper da Brat Comes Out, Shows World Her Girlfriend". March 26, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ France, Lisa Respers (February 21, 2023). "Da Brat is pregnant at 48". CNN. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ Chan, Anna (July 7, 2023). "Da Brat Gives Birth to First Child With Wife Jesseca Harris-Dupart: 'Feels Like a Dream'". Billboard.
- ^ a b "Da Brat Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Atlanta Nightclub Fight". Mtv.com. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ "Da Brat Out of Prison On Work Release, Ready To Get To Work". Ballerstatus.Com. May 28, 2010. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
- ^ "Rapper Da Brat Released From Prison". Cinemablend.com. March 1, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
- ^ Garner, Marcus K. (February 19, 2014). "Lawsuit against Da Brat goes to court next week". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
- ^ "Winners Data". grammy.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Aaliyah, Stacy Dash, Total and Da Brat @ Soul Train Awards (1995)". KlassicThrowbackTV. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Winners Data". billboardmusicawards.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ 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
- ISBN 978-1-4197-4296-5.