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.
We Ready
Da Brat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on then shit
(So give it to 'em whoa!)
Lay your head back (Whoa!)
And for the money (Yeah whoa!)
You can lay that shit on me too (Whoa!)
But for now let's talk about riding
Yeah I'm saying it's like this
(Brat where are you at?)
[Da Brat]
You know its So So Def
Cause I'm the be to the are A
T the most eligible bitch today
And these niggas want to ride with a dime like me
They say they like the way the system pound in my jeep
I got two twelve's that bump from wall to wall
So loud that he headlights blink on and off
I laugh when people watch I don't stop I shine
It's attractive to motherfuckers that love to grind
I sparkle from the rims to the chain to the watch
To the rings to the ears to the wrists to the glocks
To the parts in the braids
Shorties that stop to watch throw on the shades
Cause Da Brat got gleam for days
Sunroof open let the sun shine in
Baking the fuck out of me and all my friends
In the backseat, stay in the front
Ain't no room in the trunk
Just a devastating woofer that bump
You know!
[JD & Da Brat]
So So Def is the place and we
Ain't never gon stop
With Da be -are-A-T
We gon keep this bitch on lock
We the best at what we do
Getting paper making all the moves
And anybody that wants some
Nigga we ready for you (We ready!)
[Da Brat]
Uh I keep the windows down
So when I hit the stoplight
All the niggas standing around spot what they like
They shoot me the 'Come Here' finger
But the music's so loud I just smile
And act like I don't see 'em
I've done had one or too many shots of Tequila
But when it's set to crunk I need my liquor
Loud and rowdy naturally
Pull up to my truck and smile
But you ain't proud of me
I left you in the rearview with a look of disgust
And a mad mug cause your windows almost bust
I can't fathom the thought of my seats not rumbling
And people catching whiplash when I past in front of 'em
I'm flashy and I don't care if you know
From the see to the H-I-see-A-G-O
I'm fresh to death no matter how I'm dressed
It's even hard for the cops to put me under arrest
Irresistibly huggable and lovable when
I gotta wiggle myself out of the trouble I get in
I'm Da Brat officer he turned and laughed
And said stop disturbing and got an autograph
[JD & Da Brat]
So So Def is the place and we
Ain't never gon stop
With Da be -are-A-T
We gon keep this bitch on lock
We the best at what we do
Getting paper making all the moves
And anybody that wants some
Nigga we ready for you (We ready!)
[Da Brat]
Roll up a fat one and pass it around
Lots of niggas hear the sound now they flagging me down
Get attention when I drive by cause I'm so fly
Shorty the pimp represent the West Side of Chi
Know the haters watching
I love making 'em sick
I tear the roof off this mother like Parliament
People ride with me just to feel the bass in their chest
And be reminded of how it sounds So So Def
[JD]
See what we do other niggas can't
That's why for ten long years
I've been making 'em dance
You know?
Me and Da Brat it's family boy
Ya know?
We ain't never gon' break down
For y'all hatin' ass niggas
We gon keep on and keep on
Ya heard? (We ready!)
[JD & Da Brat]
So So Def is the place and we
Ain't never gon stop
With Da be -are-A-T
We gon keep this bitch on lock
We the best at what we do
Getting paper making all the moves
And anybody that wants some
Nigga we ready for you (We ready!)
So So Def is the place and we
Ain't never gon stop
With Da be -are-A-T
We gon keep this bitch on lock
We the best at what we do
Getting paper making all the moves
And anybody that wants some
Nigga we ready for you (We ready!)
In the song "We Ready," Da Brat, JD, and Lil Jon are expressing their readiness to take on anyone who challenges them. The beat is a fusion of many different genres, including hip hop, electronic, and dancehall. Da Brat's lyrics portray her as a boss and an undeniable force, with a vehicle that thumps from wall to wall. She enjoys flaunting her bling, which attracts people who love to hustle. Da Brat also proudly represents her hometown of Chicago, and she knows how to command attention, even when her windows are down. JD jumps in to declare that So So Def is the place to be, and he's been making people dance for a decade. Together, they form a team that won't back down from any adversary.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on then shit
Let's get moving and do this.
So give it to 'em whoa!
Let's show them what we've got.
Lay your head back (Whoa!)
Relax and enjoy the ride.
Lay it on me (Whoa! Whoa!)
Let me take care of it for you.
And for the money (Yeah whoa!)
If you're willing to pay, I'm willing to deliver.
You can lay that shit on me too (Whoa!)
I can handle whatever you throw my way.
But for now let's talk about riding
Let's focus on the journey ahead.
Yeah I'm saying it's like this
This is how it's going to be.
Brat where are you at?
Da Brat is ready to roll.
You know its So So Def
We represent So So Def Records.
Cause I'm the be to the are A
I'm Da Brat, the baddest chick in the game.
T the most eligible bitch today
I'm the one everyone wants to be with.
And these niggas want to ride with a dime like me
Guys want to be seen with me because I'm so hot.
They say they like the way the system pound in my jeep
They love the way my car's sound system thumps.
I got two twelve's that bump from wall to wall
My car has two massive subwoofers that shake the whole car.
So loud that he headlights blink on and off
The music is so loud that it makes the car's headlights blink.
I laugh when people watch I don't stop I shine
I love the attention and won't let anyone dim my light.
It's attractive to motherfuckers that love to grind
People who work hard and hustle are drawn to my success.
I sparkle from the rims to the chain to the watch
I have bling everywhere, from my rims to my jewelry.
To the rings to the ears to the wrists to the glocks
Even my guns are bedazzled.
To the parts in the braids
Even the beads in my hair are flashy.
Shorties that stop to watch throw on the shades
People need sunglasses to look at me because I shine so bright.
Cause Da Brat got gleam for days
I'm always shining and showing off my bling.
Sunroof open let the sun shine in
I want the sunshine in so we can keep the party going.
Baking the fuck out of me and all my friends
We're having such a good time that we're sweating profusely.
In the backseat, stay in the front
My friends can party in the back, but I need to focus on driving.
Ain't no room in the trunk
We're packed in tight, there's no more room for anything else.
Just a devastating woofer that bump
All we need is the power of the bass to have a good time.
So So Def is the place and we
We represent So So Def Records and we're proud to be here.
Ain't never gon stop
We're unstoppable.
With Da be-are-A-T
Da Brat and JD are a force to be reckoned with.
We gon keep this bitch on lock
We're going to keep this party going and keep the good times rolling.
We the best at what we do
We're confident in our abilities and skills.
Getting paper making all the moves
We're making money and achieving our goals.
And anybody that wants some
Anyone who wants a piece of us is welcome to try.
Nigga we ready for you (We ready!)
We're ready for any challenge that comes our way.
Uh I keep the windows down
I want everyone to hear my music and feel the power of the bass.
So when I hit the stoplight
Even when I'm stopped, my music is still thumping.
All the niggas standing around spot what they like
People are drawn to my vibe and my style.
They shoot me the 'Come Here' finger
People are waving and beckoning me to come their way.
But the music's so loud I just smile
I can't hear what they're saying, but I'm still having a good time.
And act like I don't see 'em
I'm too busy having fun to stop and talk to everyone.
I've done had one or too many shots of Tequila
I'm a little tipsy and feeling good.
But when it's set to crunk I need my liquor
When the music is hot, I need to keep my energy up with a drink.
Loud and rowdy naturally
I'm naturally wild and rebellious.
Pull up to my truck and smile
People are smiling and excited to see me.
But you ain't proud of me
Some people hate on me because of my success and fame.
I left you in the rearview with a look of disgust
I'm leaving the haters behind and not looking back.
And a mad mug cause your windows almost bust
My bass is so powerful that it almost shattered their windows.
I can't fathom the thought of my seats not rumbling
I need the bass to keep thumping and the car seats shaking.
And people catching whiplash when I past in front of 'em
My car is so loud and powerful that it catches people off guard.
I'm flashy and I don't care if you know
I love showing off and don't mind if people notice.
From the see to the H-I-see-A-G-O
From the West Coast to Chicago, I'm known and respected.
I'm fresh to death no matter how I'm dressed
I always look fly and amazing, no matter what I'm wearing.
It's even hard for the cops to put me under arrest
I'm so cool and confident that even the cops can't bring me down.
Irresistibly huggable and lovable when
People can't help but love and hug me.
I gotta wiggle myself out of the trouble I get in
I often find myself in trouble, but I'm always able to get out of it with my charm and wit.
I'm Da Brat officer he turned and laughed
Even the cops know who I am and are amused by my antics.
And said stop disturbing and got an autograph
The cop stopped me, but I still won them over and gave them an autograph.
Roll up a fat one and pass it around
Let's smoke some weed and have a good time.
Lots of niggas hear the sound now they flagging me down
People love my music and want to party with me.
Get attention when I drive by cause I'm so fly
People can't help but notice me and my amazing car.
Shorty the pimp represent the West Side of Chi
I'm a representative of the West Side of Chicago and all the cool kids there.
Know the haters watching
I know people are jealous of me and my success.
I love making 'em sick
I love rubbing my success in their faces and making them mad.
I tear the roof off this mother like Parliament
I'm tearing up this party and having a good time like Parliament Funkadelic.
People ride with me just to feel the bass in their chest
My music is so powerful that people can feel it in their chests.
And be reminded of how it sounds So So Def
My music is a reminder of how amazing So So Def Records is.
See what we do other niggas can't
We do things differently and better than others.
That's why for ten long years
We've been successful for a decade because of our skills.
I've been making 'em dance
We've been making people dance for years and will continue to do so.
Me and Da Brat it's family boy
Da Brat and I are like family, we're so close.
Ya know?
You feel me?
We ain't never gon' break down
We're unstoppable and won't let anything bring us down.
For y'all hatin' ass niggas
The people who hate on us are just jealous and can't handle our success.
We gon keep on and keep on
We'll keep doing what we do and won't stop.
Ya heard? (We ready!)
Do you understand? We're ready for anything.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTONIO REID, DARYL SIMMONS, KENNETH EDMONDS, JERMAINE DUPRI, SHAWNTAE HARRIS, SHUGGIE OTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind