Shawntae Harris, born in Chicago, Illinois better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American rap artist, profound writer, television and radio personality, actress, and executive music and television producer. Harris attended Kenwood Academy and The Academy of Scholastic Achievement, where she played seven different instruments in band. Harris' stage name was inspired because she was an only child and often referred to as a brat. Da Brat's debut album "Funkdafied" was released in 1994 and entered the rap albums chart at #1. The album went platinum, making her the "first" female solo rapper to sell one million units. The eponymous single reached #1 on the rap singles chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her follow-up hit from the same album, "Give It 2 You," reached #26 on the Hot 100.
Her best-known feature credits are with Jermaine Dupri, Kris Kross, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Jay Z, Aaliyah, and the Notorious B.I.G. She has performed and written with many artists including Tyrese, Total, Xscape, Usher, Jagged Edge, Dru Hill, Destiny Child, Kelly Price, Brandy, Bow Wow, Snoop Dogg and the list goes on. The Grammy®-nominated smash hit "Not Tonight," released in 1997 with Lil' Kim, Left Eye, Missy Elliott, and Angie Martinez, was an instant urban and pop radio chart topper.
Da Brat has released four studio albums to date: "Funkdafied," "Anuthatantrum" "Unrestricted," and "Limelite, Luv & Nightclubs," with numerous chart-topping singles.
In 2015, she made her radio debut and joined the nationally syndicated "Rickey Smiley Morning Show" as the new co-host. In 2016, she became a permanent fixture on the FOX TV show "Dish Nation." Other TV appearances include: "The Parenthood," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," Nickelodeon's "All That" and TvOne's "Rickey Smiley For Real." The finale of Fox's hit show "Empire," LifeTime's "The Rap Game" and recapped every episode titled "Da Brat Game." She also executive-produced WeTV's "Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta."
In 2018, Da Brat made a successful theatre debut live on stage as "Cleo" from the hit 1996 movie "Set It Off."
Da Brat also lends her time to charitable organizations such as Kaleidoscope Kares, Kamileon's Kloset, Hosea Feed The Hungry, and Saving Our Daughters.
