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.
Ghetto Love
Da Brat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That no one could seem to solve them
But you had the answer
You told me to take a chance
And learn the ways of love, my baby
And all that it has to offer..
You told me your secret love won't let you down
Ohh allll my love baby...
Hey nigga ain't shit gonna ever change
Between you and your boo.
Put a hold on me ever since I held you
What compelled you to be my nigga
Besides passion and love
You ran up on a real bitch with understanding and trust
Fuck the others, none of them compare to us
And under covers you my muthafucka nigga,
When you stickin my stuff
You laid pipe unlike any other plumber
Took me shoppin all day and at night, you kept me cummin.
Made dinner, collard greens, candied yams and steak.
Taught me how to measure grams, cook rocks, and chop weights
Caught a case, cuz you're boy ran his mouth too much.
And it's a disgrace how the pain felt to miss your touch
But as the days keep passin, keep it actin with stacks of letters
Hit you so you don't forget us
When you'd rather not be livin in the cella
Hella muthafuckas want your occupation
But they can keep pacin, cuz I'm gonna be waitin on my Baby...
And all this love, is waiting for you
My baby... Sweet Darling...
And all this love is waiting for you
Don't worry bout a thing, nigga stay down
As long as you can hang, I'm-a be around
Ran into your boy, had heard he'd spread the word
That you was soft, braggin he collecting your cheese,
And pissing me the fuck off.
The first thought of committing a felony never left
I missed the big breaths you took when we waz puffin an L,
Just the little things you do with the bigger ones I
Saw better SL 500s colorful Gucci sweaters and leathers
Diamond letters girl you broke, I saved the sugar for you
Keep the business runnin, droppin off keys in Cancun
Cash rules, and you remain to be the King of my throne
Position taken, flippin calender pages till you get home
Wanna blast your boy for snatchin up my happiness
But I regret what'll happen to this dollar foundation
If I'm incarcerated
Too you can make it through, we bail on the Jealous
Who tell us the opposite of that,
Forever you and Brat
I tried to take the blame, but you prefered to handle my fame
So i'm waitin with open arms to rekindle the flame...
And all this love, is waiting for you
My baby... Sweet Darling...
And all this love is waiting for you
Don't worry bout a thing, nigga stay down
As long as you can hang, I'm-a be around
And all this love, is waiting for you
My baby... Sweet Darling...
And all this love is waiting for you
Don't worry bout a thing, nigga stay down
As long as you can hang, I'm-a be around
And all this love, is waiting for you
My baby... Sweet Darling...
And all this love is waiting for you
Don't worry bout a thing, nigga stay down
As long as you can hang, I'm-a be around
The song "Ghetto Love" by Da Brat highlights the theme of love in difficult circumstances. The song depicts the loyalty of a woman to her incarcerated lover. Da Brat pours out her heart as she sings about the struggles, sacrifices, and love she experiences for her man. The song describes how the woman tries to stay level-headed when dealing with the pressures of their love in the ghetto, as they face criticism and danger from their community. The lyrics reveal how her man has been able to provide the support and strength she needs to face these challenges. The woman sings about her man and their relationship and promises to remain faithful and wait for him to come back to her.
Throughout the song, Da Brat uses a combination of rap, R&B, and soulful melodies. The music is emotional, powerful and delivered with a raw sense of passion. The lyrics are easy to follow, but the emotions behind them are what makes the song so impactful. Da Brat's raw and gritty style of singing makes the song even more compelling. The lyrics showcase the true meaning of love and how it can survive despite the obstacles and hardships that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I had some problems
The singer had some issues that she could not resolve on her own.
That no one could seem to solve them
The singer's issues were too complex for anyone else to solve.
But you had the answer
The person being addressed was the only one who had the solution to the singer's problems.
You told me to take a chance
The person being addressed encouraged the artist to take a risk.
And learn the ways of love, my baby
The person being addressed advised the artist to understand the nature of love.
And all that it has to offer..
The person being addressed wanted the singer to experience all the joys that love can bring.
You told me your secret love won't let you down
The person being addressed shared that his love was reliable and trustworthy.
Hey nigga ain't shit gonna ever change
The artist addresses her partner and assures him that nothing will ever change their relationship.
Between you and your boo.
The artist is referring to her partner and their romantic connection.
Put a hold on me ever since I held you
The artist has been captivated by her partner since they first met.
What compelled you to be my nigga
The singer asks her partner what drew him to be with her.
Besides passion and love
The artist acknowledges that their relationship is based on more than just physical attraction and romantic feelings.
You ran up on a real bitch with understanding and trust
The singer is confident that her partner recognizes the value of being with someone who is intelligent and trustworthy.
Fuck the others, none of them compare to us
The singer believes that no one else can compete with their relationship.
And under covers you my muthafucka nigga,
The singer and her partner have a strong sexual connection.
When you stickin my stuff
The artist is referencing sexual intercourse.
You laid pipe unlike any other plumber
The artist's partner is highly skilled at satisfying her sexually.
Took me shoppin all day and at night, you kept me cummin.
The singer's partner shows his love and affection through gifts and sexual pleasure.
Made dinner, collard greens, candied yams and steak.
The singer's partner is nurturing and loving, preparing delicious meals for her to enjoy.
Taught me how to measure grams, cook rocks, and chop weights
The artist's partner taught her how to handle drugs, indicating their involvement in illegal activities.
Caught a case, cuz you're boy ran his mouth too much.
The artist's partner got in legal trouble due to the actions of his friends and associates.
And it's a disgrace how the pain felt to miss your touch
The artist is deeply saddened and affected by not being able to physically be with her partner.
But as the days keep passin, keep it actin with stacks of letters
The singer maintains a strong connection with her partner through frequent communication via written letters.
Hit you so you don't forget us
The artist wants to make sure that her partner remembers their love and relationship.
When you'd rather not be livin in the cella
The singer acknowledges that her partner is in prison and would rather not be living in a cell.
Hella muthafuckas want your occupation
The singer acknowledges that her partner's job is something that many others desire.
But they can keep pacin, cuz I'm gonna be waitin on my Baby...
The singer is confident that no one else can take her place and that she will be waiting for her partner's release from prison.
Don't worry bout a thing, nigga stay down
The artist is assuring her partner to stay strong and not worry about anything while he is in prison.
As long as you can hang, I'm-a be around
The artist promises her partner that she will always be there for him as long as he can handle the challenges of prison life.
Ran into your boy, had heard he'd spread the word
The singer ran into one of her partner's friends who had been gossiping about their personal relationship.
That you was soft, braggin he collecting your cheese,
The friend was spreading rumors that the singer's partner was weak and that he was taking advantage of him financially.
And pissing me the fuck off.
The artist is angered by the friend's behavior and comments.
The first thought of committing a felony never left
The artist had a strong urge to commit a crime due to the friend's actions.
I missed the big breaths you took when we waz puffin an L,
The artist recalls smoking marijuana with her partner and misses the intimate moments they shared.
Just the little things you do with the bigger ones I
The singer misses all the little things her partner did for her, as well as the big gestures.
Saw better SL 500s colorful Gucci sweaters and leathers
The artist recalls the nice things her partner used to buy for her, such as luxury cars and designer clothing.
Diamond letters girl you broke, I saved the sugar for you
The singer's partner showered her with expensive gifts, even though she was financially struggling.
Keep the business runnin, droppin off keys in Cancun
The singer's partner continues to conduct illegal activities, even while in prison.
Cash rules, and you remain to be the King of my throne
The singer's partner is the most important person in her life, and his wealth and influence are significant to her.
Position taken, flippin calender pages till you get home
The artist recognizes her position as her partner's girlfriend and is counting the days until his release.
Wanna blast your boy for snatchin up my happiness
The artist wants to confront her partner's friend for causing her distress and ruining her happiness.
But I regret what'll happen to this dollar foundation
The singer realizes that her actions could jeopardize the illegal business that she and her partner are involved in.
If I'm incarcerated
The singer fears that she may end up in jail herself if she acts impulsively.
Too you can make it through, we bail on the Jealous
The artist and her partner can overcome any obstacles as long as they stay together and ignore those who are envious of their relationship.
Who tell us the opposite of that,
The artist and her partner are being told by others that they cannot succeed and that their love will not last.
Forever you and Brat
The artist is confident that she and her partner will be together forever.
I tried to take the blame, but you preferred to handle my fame
The singer tried to take the blame for her partner's legal troubles, but he insisted on taking responsibility and protecting her from the consequences.
So I'm waiting with open arms to rekindle the flame...
The artist is eagerly awaiting her partner's release from prison so that they can continue their relationship and reignite their love.
And all this love, is waiting for you
The singer's love for her partner is strong and unwavering despite the challenges they face.
Don't worry bout a thing, nigga stay down
The singer is reassuring her partner that everything will be alright, and he should not concern himself with anything while he is in prison.
As long as you can hang, I'm-a be around
The singer promises to stand by her partner as long as he can handle the pressures of prison life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELDRA DEBARGE, ELDRA P DE BARGE, SHAWNTAE HARRIS, CARLTON DOUGLAS RIDENHOUR, HANK SCHOCKLEE, BETTY REGINA WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sherrynjpe2592
T-boz voice is so damn sick ..! I wish t-boz woild have done more solo stuffs
@Ang417
Me too she would did great solo
@baeclaus388
RIGHT?!!!!!
@priscilla7450
@Angel Cody listen too one of her songs she did it’s called touch myself
@JamesFrew1
LaFace didn’t believe they could truly be solo artists so while they all had solo moments, most notably Lisa, the company never truly put any money behind their solo efforts. Without the money for production, they couldn’t succeed.
It’s truly infuriating considering who we have around now that they so heavily influenced, and considering how talented they each were individually. I mean, with Tionne, you could hear her influence at the time with other artists, most notably on the hook for biggies’ Hypnotize (Pam Long’s chorus is a carbon copy of Tionne) and also Madonna’s “Human Nature.”
Such a shame, agreed.
@larrymarshall8900
I know this doesnt have nothing to do with this video but I want to say this anyways. What does Da Brat,Method Man and Will Smith have in common besides being rappers,actors and there own TV shows. All three of them worked with two thirds of TLC. First let me say this Da Brat and T-Boz did this song together,then Brat worked with Left Eye on Ladies Night they following year. As for Method Man he worked with T-Boz and Left Eye in the same year 1998. Both him and T-Boz appeared in the film Belly and Lisa made a guest appearance on his album Tical 2000 album on a song called Cradle Rock. And for Will Smith Lisa appeared on a song called Big Willie Style on his debit solo album and him and Tionne both are executive producers of the film ATL if you guys watch the opening credits of the film that's all I wanted to say have yourselves a great day today.
@colinbell9534
Da brat has always been underated in my opinion one of the best female MC's to ever hit the scene.
@REVAMPEDWRESTLING2K
VERY UNDERRATED!
@SlammedZero
I'm building a time machine to take us back to the 90's! Who is going with me??
@nicolejackson1268
I'll go!!!!!