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.
Fuck You
Da Brat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know don't exactly what's wrong with your nigga's neck
It's ain't my fault if he looking
You 'spose to keep his ass in check cause
Every time I come near
All he do is stare
And I can see it in his eyes that he wants some
He know what's in the prize, it's Red Rum
To any of these hoes that come
Stand next to me and look like bums, they make pennies
And all I do is stack the paper
Just in case I run into some complications
I'm set for life, never in debt
And you frustrated when I get all the niggas' attention
You fall off
Guess you was born to make the coffee for us
Writing bitches with a higher position
Da Brat talk niggas listen
Go get a nine to five
Cause you can't keep up with the shit I cook up
I can't help it if you're nigga wanna hook up
Ya gotta man but he keep looking at me
Like he really wanna drop ya bad
Cause I'm the shit and I know you mad
But I don't give a fuck, you
Got some dough but your paper ain't as long as mine
And ya really wanna stop me bad
But fix your face bitch I'm here to stay
And I don't give a fuck, you
And I'mma make sure that my niggas lookin'
Tell you broads to calm down there ain't no competition
I'm flawless as the rocks on my left pinky
And I love it when y'all wanna get at me
And make me think my shit don't stink
Evidently you ain't satisfied at home
She ain't got no style of her own
No body of her own
Not roaming in the V12
You turned on because I bought it myself
What other bitch do you know like this?
That's tight as a hot curl
Known to rock worlds
Once I'm spotted you will probably drop your girl
My intimidation to niggas is challenging to 'em
He fiending to get in my Vicky's Secrets
And underneath my Girbaud and my boxer shorts
I rock ice burg sports and Da Brat prints of all sorts
Interesting to you cause I got some dough
You thinkin' if you and me get together
You'll never go broke
Ya gotta man but he keep looking at me
Like he really wanna drop ya bad
Cause I'm the shit and I know you mad
But I don't give a fuck, you
Got some dough but your paper ain't as long as mine
And ya really wanna stop me bad
But fix your face bitch I'm here to stay
And I don't give a fuck, you
Ya gotta man but he keep looking at me
Like he really wanna drop ya bad
Cause I'm the shit and I know you mad
But I don't give a fuck, you
Got some dough but your paper ain't as long as mine
And ya really wanna stop me bad
But fix your face bitch I'm here to stay
And I don't give a fuck, you
The lyrics in Da Brat's song "Fuck You" seem to address a female rival who is jealous of her, possibly due to the attention Da Brat receives from men. The lyrics suggest that the rival's man is also interested in Da Brat, which could be causing tension between the two women. Da Brat seems to be confident in her abilities and is unapologetic about her success, which may be exacerbating the rival's jealousy. Da Brat also appears to be proud of her material possessions, such as her car, designer clothing, and expensive jewelry.
A significant portion of the song is dedicated to flaunting her wealth and success, which could be seen as a way to intimidate her rival. Da Brat portrays herself as flawless and unbeatable, and the tone of the song suggests that her rival's jealousy is unfounded. At its core, "Fuck You" is a song about female empowerment and self-confidence, with Da Brat asserting her dominance over her rival through her lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, uh, uh
I'm about to drop some major truth bombs, so get ready.
I know don't exactly what's wrong with your nigga's neck
I can see your man's neck craning in my direction, and I'm not sure why.
It's ain't my fault if he looking
If your man is looking at me, it's not my doing. He's simply drawn to my irresistible magnetism.
You 'spose to keep his ass in check cause
As his partner, it's your responsibility to make sure he doesn't check out other women.
Every time I come near
Whenever I'm around, your man can't help but look.
All he do is stare
He can't take his eyes off me.
And I can see it in his eyes that he wants some
I can tell by the way he's looking at me that he desires me.
He know what's in the prize, it's Red Rum
Your man knows what he's after, and that's me.
To any of these hoes that come
To any women who try to compete with me for attention.
Stand next to me and look like bums, they make pennies
In comparison to me, these women look poor and insignificant.
And all I do is stack the paper
I'm focused on making money and building my wealth.
Just in case I run into some complications
I'm always prepared for any potential issues or problems that may arise.
I'm set for life, never in debt
Because of my financial success, I'll always be financially secure and will never be in debt.
And you frustrated when I get all the niggas' attention
You're angry and frustrated that I receive so much male attention.
You fall off
You're inferior to me.
Guess you was born to make the coffee for us
You're meant to serve us in a subservient role.
Writing bitches with a higher position
I'm a powerful woman and I write about other powerful women.
Da Brat talk niggas listen
When I speak, people listen.
Go get a nine to five
You should strive for typical, menial employment.
Cause you can't keep up with the shit I cook up
You can't match my ingenuity and creativity.
I can't help it if you're nigga wanna hook up
Your man's desire for me is not my doing; it's his own attraction to my power and charisma.
Ya gotta man but he keep looking at me
Despite being in a relationship, your man can't resist the lure of me.
Cause I'm the shit and I know you mad
I know you're angry and jealous of my success and allure.
But I don't give a fuck, you
But I don't care about your feelings.
Got some dough but your paper ain't as long as mine
You may have money, but you're not as wealthy as me.
And ya really wanna stop me bad
You're desperate to undermine me.
But fix your face bitch I'm here to stay
You need to get over it – I'm not going anywhere.
And I'mma make sure that my niggas lookin'
I'll continue to attract men with my charm and success.
Tell you broads to calm down there ain't no competition
I'm superior to other women and there's no point in trying to compete.
I'm flawless as the rocks on my left pinky
I'm perfect and can't be challenged or faulted.
And I love it when y'all wanna get at me
I enjoy when other women try to compete with me because it shows how superior I am.
And make me think my shit don't stink
Their jealousy and desire to compete with me further reinforces my greatness.
Evidently you ain't satisfied at home
You're clearly unsatisfied in your romantic relationship.
She ain't got no style of her own
Your partner lacks individuality and creativity.
No body of her own
She's not physically attractive or desirable.
Not roaming in the V12
She's not successful or wealthy enough to own a V12 car.
You turned on because I bought it myself
Your man is attracted to me because of my independence and financial success.
What other bitch do you know like this?
Can you name another woman who can compete with me in terms of success, allure, and independence?
That's tight as a hot curl
I'm extremely impressive and untouchable.
Known to rock worlds
I have a significant impact on the world around me.
Once I'm spotted you will probably drop your girl
When men see me, they'll abandon their current partners for a chance to be with me.
My intimidation to niggas is challenging to 'em
I intimidate men with my power and success.
He fiending to get in my Vicky's Secrets
Men crave to be with me physically and sexually.
And underneath my Girbaud and my boxer shorts
Even when I'm dressed casually, I'm still alluring and attractive to men.
I rock ice burg sports and Da Brat prints of all sorts
My fashion is unique and cutting-edge, and I set trends that others follow.
Interesting to you cause I got some dough
You're only interested in me because of my wealth and influence.
You thinkin' if you and me get together
You believe that if you were with me romantically, you'd become wealthy and successful too.
You'll never go broke
You believe that being with me would guarantee financial success and security.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRAULINO LIMA, JERMAINE DUPRI, SHAWNTAE HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind