In 1992, Harris got a big break when she won the grand prize in a local rap contest sponsored by Yo! MTV Raps. For the prize, she got to meet Kris Kross, and they in turn introduced her to their producer, Jermaine Dupri, who signed her to his So So Def label. Dupri cultivated Da Brat's image as a "female Snoop Doggy Dogg", and she became one of the first female "reality-based" rappers.
Da Brat's debut album Funkdafied was released in 1994 and entered the rap albums chart at Number #1. The album went platinum, which made her the first female solo rapper to sell one million units. The single also entitled "Funkdafied" reached #1 on the rap singles chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. She had a follow-up hit from the same album, "Give It 2 You", which reached #26 on the Hot 100.
In 1996, Da Brat released her second full-length album, Anuthatantrum, which included the single "Ghetto Love" featuring T-Boz of TLC.
During the rest of the '90s, Da Brat came to be known more for her "featured" appearances on other rappers' and R&B singers' albums rather than for her own solo work. She contributed a rhyme to the hip hop remix of Mariah Carey's hit, "Always Be My Baby". She also made her feature film debut that year in Kazaam with Shaquille O'Neal. During the summer of 1997, Da Brat appeared along with Dupri on a remix of Carey's "Honey (So So Def mix)" and recorded the hit remix of "Ladies' Night (Not Tonight)" with Lil' Kim, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Angie Martinez and Missy Elliott. Da Brat was also featured with Kris Kross on their track "Da Bomb" on the album Da Bomb, as well as on their third album Young, Rich and Dangerous.
In 1997, she was featured on "Sock It 2 Me", a track on Missy Elliott's debut album, Supa Dupa Fly. In 1999, she appeared, alongside Krayzie Bone, on the remix to Mariah Carey's cover of Brenda K. Starr's "I Still Believe". She also appeared as a guest artist with Elliott on Carey's remix of "Heartbreaker", and on the remix of Brandy's "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)". That year, she was also featured on a remix of the Destiny's Child single "Jumpin', Jumpin'".
In early 2000, Da Brat released her third full-length album Unrestricted, which produced the moderately successful singles "That's What I'm Looking For" (U.S. #56) and "What Chu Like" (U.S. #26), featuring soul singer, Tyrese. The album was not well received compared to Brat's earlier work. However, the new album and new millennium did inspire an image makeover for Da Brat. Abandoning her "gangsta" persona, she decided to follow the trend in popular music and attempted to add to her sex appeal; the video for "What Chu Like" featured Da Brat and Tyrese rolling around naked on a beach.
In 2001, Brat continued her trend of being featured on other artist's remixes, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart along with rapper Ludacris on the main remix of Mariah Carey's "Loverboy" and being featured artist on Destiny's Child's "Survivor" remix. Da Brat also appeared as Louise in Carey's 2001 movie Glitter. In 2003, Brat released her fourth album, titled Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz, and appeared on the 4th season of VH1's The Surreal Life.
In 2001, Da Brat pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct after she had beaten a woman with a gun during a dispute over VIP seating in a Buckhead, Georgia, nightclub in 2000. The victim in that incident received six stitches for a head wound. Harris ended up serving a year's probation, performed 80 hours of community service and paid a $1,000 fine.
In 2005, she made a comeback of sorts when she was featured on the remix to the song "I Think They Like Me," by Dem Franchize Boyz, which also featured Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri. The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2006, she was an onstage guest on Mariah Carey's The Adventures of Mimi Tour in Atlanta, New York City, Long Island, Washington DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles performing her rap verses on the "Heartbreaker" and "Honey" remixes. She was also featured on Kelly Rowland's "Gotsta Go", a bonus track from her 2007 album Ms. Kelly and is also featured on a bonus track from Carey's E=MC² on a track entitled "4real4real". She also co-wrote a song with Mariah Carey called "O.O.C." which appears on E=MC² and contributes backing vocals on the track.In 2007, she participated in the fifth season of the VH1 reality series Celebrity Fit Club.
On October 31, 2007, she was involved in the altercation that ended in assault at a Halloween party at Studio 72 nightclub in Tucker, Georgia. Harris sparred verbally with a hostess, and later, when the hostess proceeded to talk to her manager, Harris attacked her from behind, striking her in the face with a rum bottle. Harris entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault charges. She was sentenced to three years in prison, seven years of probation, and 200 hours of community service. In May 2010 she was released from prison after serving 21 months.
Back Up
Da Brat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This a test
(Bounce) uh uh uh oh
This ain't no test
(Bounce) uh uh uh oh
It's the real shit
(Bounce) uh uh uh oh
(Bounce) uh uh uh oh
(Bounce) uh uh uh oh
(Bounce) uh oh (bounce)
[Da Brat] (JD)
If you can feel it in your back (Baby)
It's the sounds of the motherfuckin' Brat (Baby)
In the corner passing blunts sippin' Yack (Baby)
And if you must play the game
Then gamble the stake's raised
Take baby to Vegas I need the paper
My flesh burnin'
Niggas got me under surveillance their necks turnin'
I'm an international playa, close observation
The best policy is to stay in y'all faces
The bad seed, I get niggas like I breath it's easy
Been through niggas lyin' and cheatin' with bitches that's sleazy
None of it's worth repeatin'
If you flash money, spend that money or you can beat it
I'mma star now, so it wasn't really shit for me to get shot down
Spit illicit, unrestricted game, I'm independent
Open the door to the bank but g's spent this
1 - If you out here doing things
You're a honey getting money
Playin' all of these fellas like dummies
Make all the right moves when it comes to the game
(Tell them they better back up)
(Playa, playa back up)
If you out here doing things
(Doin' doin' thangs)
You're a playa getting money
Spending none on none of these hoes
Make all the right moves when it comes to the game
(Tell 'em they better back up)
(Shorty, shorty back up)
[Ja Rule]
For the first time I can see my lifeline
And you're ahead of me
Thank God hard to imagine me
But Lord why me?
I'm the bad spirit that tortures the souls of the nearest
Untouched pussy, what'chu want with me?
Been through lesbianage, menage et tois
Been even synonymous to hoes that floss and trick their dough
If you livin' it, my life
You live it as limited
Cause too many worlds collide the killer degenerate
I'll die in it
As long as I keep my guns burn
And Brat pushin' the Verge
And the crack isn't German
Listen Ja bring the heat catching niggas on their third wind
We supply the pressure (Baby!)
Shit it'll never end try to get out
But baby you're locked in
My world sip Hen and suffer from sin
I'm sickening like Heroin
Ja Rule the veteran, true with you
But baby girl if you
Repeat 1
[Da Brat]
A girl like me need a lot
So I proceed to plot
And continue to add pieces to the rock collection that I got
Shine on y'all light up the whole block
I'm causing on Ja
[Ja Rule]
Shit on a nigga like me you need a lot
Coming with game, what'chu got
It's murda, if you don't get shot
I clicky-clack on those pot post up on niggas
Fuck y'all bitches
[Da Brat]
Shit fuck y'all niggas, you can't live without pussy
Be disrespectful and get no more nookie
Most of these hoes check y'all cause niggas ain't shit
[Ja Rule]
y'all dismissed and y'all know
Bitches ain't shit
But live with it if the dick don't fit
[Da Brat]
Get it or quit it
And acquaint Shaunte with your money
I gotta get it
Repeat 1 till end w/ Da Brat ad-libs
[Da Brat]
All I'm saying is do thangs
Ya know what I'm saying
Make the right moves
Ya know what I'm saying
Man, woman, boy, or girl
Pimp, prostitute, he-heh
Do thangs to get that loot
Ya know what I'm saying
Tell 'em to back up
Cause it's the Da Brat
So, So
The song "Back Up" by Da Brat featuring Ja Rule is a classic rap song that speaks about the importance of staying ahead in the game and not letting anyone take advantage of you. The song starts off with a test, but it becomes apparent that it's the real deal, and Da Brat is the one spitting hot bars. She talks about how she's an international player, but she's always being watched, and her every move is being monitored. Despite all this, she keeps on rising and shining, and she's always making the right moves when it comes to the game.
Ja Rule comes in with his smooth flow, and he talks about how he's been through it all. He's been through lesbianage, menage et tois, and he's even been synonymous with hoes that floss and trick their dough. However, he never lets anything get in his way, and he's always pushing himself to be the best. The chorus follows, talking about how if you're out there doing things, you're a honey getting money, and you need to make all the right moves when it comes to the game.
Throughout the song, both artists talk about how they're unstoppable, and they'll do whatever it takes to get ahead. They talk about how they've been through it all, and they've come out the other side, stronger and more determined than ever before. The song is a classic example of how powerful rap can be, and how it can convey important messages of resilience, strength, and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
This a test
I'm just getting started, this is only the beginning
(Bounce) uh uh uh oh
Feeling the rhythm of the music, feeling good
This ain't no test
This is reality, not practice
It's the real shit
This is authentic and genuine
(Bounce) uh uh uh oh
Still feeling the rhythm and enjoying the music
(Bounce) uh uh uh oh
The beat keeps going, it's unstoppable
If you can feel it in your back (Baby)
If you can feel the beat in your body, then you understand
It's the sounds of the motherfuckin' Brat (Baby)
The music you're hearing is brought to you by Da Brat, who's a badass
In the corner passing blunts sippin' Yack (Baby)
Da Brat is chilling, smoking and drinking with her crew
And if you must play the game
If you're going to participate in this lifestyle
Then gamble the stake's raised
You better be prepared to risk it all
Take baby to Vegas I need the paper
Let's go all out and make some serious money
My flesh burnin'
Da Brat's passion and drive are intense
Niggas got me under surveillance their necks turnin'
People are watching her every move, but she's still in control
I'm an international playa, close observation
Da Brat is known worldwide and scrutinized by many
The best policy is to stay in y'all faces
The best way to handle haters is to show them you're still around and successful
The bad seed, I get niggas like I breath it's easy
Da Brat is a natural at attracting men and getting what she wants
Been through niggas lyin' and cheatin' with bitches that's sleazy
Da Brat has had her fair share of relationships with unfaithful partners
None of it's worth repeatin'
She doesn't even want to waste her breath talking about it
If you flash money, spend that money or you can beat it
If you're going to show off your wealth, be ready to back it up or leave
I'mma star now, so it wasn't really shit for me to get shot down
Da Brat's success has given her confidence and made her immune to criticism
Spit illicit, unrestricted game, I'm independent
She speaks her mind and doesn't hold back, and she doesn't need anyone's approval
Open the door to the bank but g's spent this
Da Brat has made a lot of money but has also spent a lot of money
If you out here doing things
If you're out here living that lifestyle
You're a honey getting money
You're a sexy person who's also making a lot of money
Playin' all of these fellas like dummies
You're manipulating men and making them look foolish
Make all the right moves when it comes to the game
Always make smart decisions in this lifestyle
(Tell them they better back up)
Warn people to stay away and let you do you
(Playa, playa back up)
Calling out to other players to give her space
Doin' doin' thangs
Living and doing things that make money
You're a playa getting money
You're a player making a lot of money
Spending none on none of these hoes
Not wasting money on unfaithful women
(Tell 'em they better back up)
Warn people to stay away and let you do you
(Shorty, shorty back up)
Warn women to give her space and respect her hustle
For the first time I can see my lifeline
Ja Rule has an epiphany about his life
And you're ahead of me
Referring to Da Brat as someone who's more successful
Thank God hard to imagine me
Grateful for his success and can't believe it's happening to him
But Lord why me?
Questioning why he's been given so much success
I'm the bad spirit that tortures the souls of the nearest
Ja Rule sees himself as someone who brings chaos and negativity to others around him
Untouched pussy, what'chu want with me?
As someone who can have any woman he wants, why would he settle for someone who hasn't experienced anything?
Been through lesbianage, menage et tois
Ja Rule has been in relationships with women who are attracted to other women and has had threesomes
Been even synonymous to hoes that floss and trick their dough
He's been associated with promiscuous women who are only interested in his money
If you livin' it, my life
If you're living the same lifestyle as him
You live it as limited
You're restricted by the same problems and negativity he's faced
Cause too many worlds collide the killer degenerate
There are too many negative forces working against him and it's causing him to deteriorate
I'll die in it
He's willing to go down with this lifestyle if it comes to it
As long as I keep my guns burn
As long as he has his weapons and is prepared to use them
And Brat pushin' the Verge
Da Brat is helping him achieve his goals and reach new heights
And the crack isn't German
Presumably referring to the quality of the drugs, and he only uses the best
Listen Ja bring the heat catching niggas on their third wind
Ja Rule is bringing the heat with his rhymes and catching people off guard
We supply the pressure (Baby!)
Together, they bring the heat and apply pressure to their opponents
Shit it'll never end try to get out
The lifestyle is addicting and there's no easy way out
But baby you're locked in
Once you're in, it's hard to leave
My world sip Hen and suffer from sin
He drinks Hennessy and suffers the consequences of his past actions
I'm sickening like Heroin
Ja Rule sees himself as someone who can't be stopped and is addictive like a drug
Ja Rule the veteran, true with you
He's been in the game for a long time and is honest with himself and his audience
But baby girl if you
If you're living the same lifestyle as him
All I'm saying is do thangs
Da Brat is encouraging people to go out and hustle
Ya know what I'm saying
You understand what she's trying to say
Make the right moves
Always make smart decisions
Man, woman, boy, or girl
Anyone can get out there and make money
Pimp, prostitute, he-heh
Referring to people in different roles in the criminal underworld
Do thangs to get that loot
Do whatever it takes to make money and get ahead
Cause it's the Da Brat
She's a badass and knows what she's talking about
So, So
Referring to her record label, So So Def Recordings
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFFREY ATKINS, THORN N BELL, SHAWN N CARTER, LINDA N CREED, KENNETH A N IFILL, ERNESTO N SHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind