Da Brat

Da Brat was born as Shawntae Harris on April 14, 1974 in Joliet, Illinois, the USA. Her parents never got married and she was raised in two different households, living part-time with her grandmother and mother. During her junior year, she attended Kenwood Academy. Da Brat later graduated from the Academy of Scholastic Achievement in 1992. Coming to the American artist’s love life, she was romantically linked to Andre 3000 and Allen Iverson at different points in her life.

In 1992, Da Brat got her big break when she won a local rap contest. Two years later, she released her debut album titled ‘Funkdafied’. Soon after this, she went on to release her second album titled ‘Anuthatantrum’ which included the hit single "Ghetto Love". She was featured with Kris Kross on their album ‘Young, Rich and Dangerous’ in 1996. The following year, she got featured on Missy Elliott's album in the track "Sock It 2 Me”.

During 1999, the rapper appeared as a guest artist on Carey's remix of "Heartbreaker", on Brandy's remix of "U Don't Know Me” as well as on a remix of Destiny's Child’s track "Jumpin', Jumpin'". In early 2000, Da Brat released her third album ‘Unrestricted’. Three years later, her fourth album ‘Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz’ was released. She was then featured on Dem Franchize Boyz’s remix "I Think They Like Me” and on Kelly Rowland's "Gotsta Go”. Da Brat released her solo single "Is It Chu?" on iTunes on July 2, 2013.

In 1994, Da Brat made her TV appearance as a guest on an episode of ‘All That’. Two years later, she did a cameo role in the flick ‘Kazaam’. In 1997 and 1998, she got featured in the TV series ‘The Parent 'Hood’. After this, she played roles in the movies ‘Glitter’ and ‘Carmen: A Hip Hopera’. Da Brat next got featured in an episode of ‘Sabrina, the Teenage Witch’. In 2006, she was cast as Camisha in the flick ‘30 Days. In 2015, she appeared in the episode 10 of season 2 of the TV series ‘Empire’. Da Brat has also made appearances in other TV shows like ‘The Surreal Life,’ ‘Celebrity Fit Club’ and ‘The Weakest Link.’ Currently, she co-hosts the ‘Rickey Smiley Morning show’. Since 2016, she has been appearing in the reality competition show "The Rap Game" as a judge.

In 2000, Da Brat came into the limelight after hitting a lady with a rum bottle in an Atlanta nightclub. The following year, she pleaded guilty and ended up serving a year's probation and also paid a $1,000 fine. On October 31, 2007, she was again arrested for physically assaulting a hostess at a Halloween gathering at Studio 72 nightclub in Atlanta. Da Brat was sentenced to three years in jail and seven years of probation. In May 2010, she was momentarily released from jail as part of a work-release program. In 2011, she was officially released from prison on completion of her jail term.