Shawntae Harris aka Da biography

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Da Brat was the first female solo rapper to go ever platinum.

Official Biography

Da Brat was one of the first of a new breed of hard-edged female MCs to hit the hip-hop scene during the '90s. Although sexuality was certainly part of her image, it wasn't as important to her as it was to Lil' Kim or Foxy Brown; instead, Da Brat made her name as a tough, profane rhymer whose hardcore attitude and lyrical skills were never in doubt. Da Brat was born Shawntae Harris in Chicago in 1974, and started rapping at age 11. Still a teenager, she was discovered by producer Jermaine Dupri in 1992, when she won an amateur rap contest and got a chance to meet Dupri's friend Kris Kross. With their endorsement, Dupri signed her to his So So Def label and produced her debut album, Funkdafied, which was released in 1994. The title track was an enormous hit, going to number two on the R&B charts and spending nearly three months on top of the rap singles chart. Its success -- as well as that of the follow-up singles Fa All Y'All and Give It 2 You -- helped Da Brat become the first female rapper ever to have a platinum-selling album. Funkdafied also hit number one on the R&B album chart, a staggering achievement for a debut release by a female rapper.

For her 1996 follow-up, Anuthatantrum, Da Brat took greater control of her music and persona, scoring hits with Sittin' on Top of the World and Ghetto Love. The album was another commercial success, returning her to the R&B Top Five and the pop Top 20. In its wake, Da Brat made high-profile cameo appearances on records by the likes of Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Total, Dru Hill, and Lil' Kim, among others. She also made her film debut in 1996 in the Shaquille O'Neal comedy Kazaam. Just prior to the release of her third album in 2000, Da Brat was arrested on assault charges after allegedly pistol-whipping another woman during an altercation at an Atlanta nightclub. She later pled guilty to a lesser charge of reckless conduct, and was let off with a fine, probation, and community service. Meanwhile, her album Unrestricted appeared in the spring of 2000, and found her sporting a somewhat sexier image. It became not only her second R&B chart-topper, but also her biggest album on the pop charts to date, climbing into the Top Five. She also enjoyed hits with the singles That's What I'm Looking For and What'Chu Like.

In 2001, Da Brat returned to the big screen in Mariah Carey's ill-fated film Glitter, and issued her solo follow-up Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz in 2003. In 2006 Da Brat dropped her long awaited 5th album, which is still untitled but she knows she will be Throwin Tantrumz! Gotsta Go and 4real4real She featured in 2007 on Kelly Rowland's "Gotsta Go"- a bonus track from her 2007 album "Ms. Kelly" and is now to be featured on a bonus track from Mariah Carey's new album "E=MC" on a track entitled "4real4real" which is an iTunes pre-order exclusive (USA) and is also going to feature on the Japanese edition of the album. She also co-wrote a song with Mariah Carey called "O.O.C" which appears on "E=MC" but does not have vocals on the track. New album Da Brat has finally started work on a new album which was said by Da Brat herself on a video on YouTube TV appearances Da Brat appeared on a special episode of the game show The Weakest Link, and was also the fourth one to be voted off as the weakest link. While she was about to take the Walk of Shame, she started hiding from the host Anne Robinson. She claimed that she hid from her because she wanted to stay in the game and win money for her charity. Da Brat appeared as a cast member on Surreal Life Season She famously feuded with the Go-Go's Jane Wiedlin.

In 2007, she appeared on the fifth season of Celebrity Fit Club. She arrived on the show weighing 172 pounds and has achieved her goal of 146 pounds. She feuded with Dustin Diamond. Appeared in an episode of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. She also appeared on Celebrity Rap Superstar. She's one of the judges along with DMC and Big Boi. She was also in the audience of the 2007 Christmas Episode of Deal or No Deal She was a musical guest on Season 1 of All That. Filmography 2001: Glitter (as Louise) 2006: 30 Days (post-production) 2002: Civil Brand 2007: Katt Williams: American Hustle Personal life Brat is commonly known as the half-sister of actress LisaRaye McCoy via her father.