Today, April 14, is the 47th birthday of ATL rap pioneer Da Brat.
This Chicago-born MC first got her taste of success in the music world when she won a rap contest hosted by Yo! MTV Raps in 1992 and subsequently met producer Jermaine Dupri. Brat set new records in 1994 when her solo debut album 'Funkdafied' peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and sold more than 1 million copies. This made Brat the first female solo rap act in history to have a platinum-selling album. Brat followed her debut up with 'Anuthatantrum' in 1996 and spent most of the 1990s as a feature artist on tracks by Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Kriss Kross and more.
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Da Brat
10. Da Brat's given name is Shawntae Harris.
9. She sang in the choir, and played piano and drums at church.
8. The rap group Kriss Kross discovered her in Chicago.
7. She met Jermaine Dupri at the Oprah show in Chicago, and he signed her to his label, So So Def.
6. Da Brat is the first female rapper to go platinum.
5. She collaborated with artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, Lil Kim, and many more.
4. Mariah Carey is one of her best friends for over 20 years.
3. Her favorite athlete is Michael Jordan.
2. The MC was inspired by the name 'Da Brat' from being "a spoiled only child."
1. She loves to help others and contributes to making their dreams come true.