Born and raised in Chicago, she began her career in 1992 and signed with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings two years later to release her debut studio album, Funkdafied (1994).

Receiving platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), it became the first album by a female hip hop solo act to do so.

During the late 1990s–2000s, she guest performed on Dem Franchize Boyz's single "I Think They Like Me," the remixes of Mariah Carey's "Loverboy," "Always Be My Baby," and "Honey," and the 1999 mashup "I Still Believe/Pure Imagination."

With Carey, she released the 2003 duet "Gotta Thing For You," a hip hop-inspired version of the Bobby Caldwell song "What You Won't Do For Love.

[9] In 1992, Da Brat's big break occurred when she won the grand prize in a local rap contest sponsored by Yo!

The article features her signature looks, such as iconic braids and oversized jerseys, emphasizing how her bold style complements her musical career and influences the fashion industry.

[11] In 1996, Da Brat released her second full-length album, Anuthatantrum, which included the single "Ghetto Love" featuring T-Boz of TLC.

The late 1990s saw Da Brat featured in many high-profile collaborations, including her appearance on a remix of Dru Hill's 1997 song "In My Bed".

Brat was then featured in "Sock It 2 Me" by Elliott, off of her debut album Supa Dupa Fly (1997), and starred in its accompanying music video.

In early 2000, Da Brat released her third full-length album, Unrestricted, preceded by the single "That's What I'm Looking For" (U.S. #56), which was featured on the soundtrack to Big Momma's House (2000).

However, the record and the new millennium saw an image change for Da Brat, deviating from her "gangsta", tomboy persona, and deciding to follow the "sexy" trend in popular music.

In 2001, Brat continued being featured on other artists' songs, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart (along with Cameo and rappers Ludacris and Shawnna) on the remix of Mariah Carey's "Loverboy".

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.

[13] She now works for the Rickey Smiley Morning show as a co-host (July 2015 – present) and is part of the Dish Nation cast out of Atlanta.

[18] Da Brat, a hip-hop icon, publicly came out in March 2020 through an emotional Instagram post where she announced her relationship with Jesseca Dupart, CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products.

In an interview, Da Brat shared that she had always preferred privacy but felt the need to meet in the middle with her partner, who is a social media mogul.

[21][22] In 2001, Da Brat pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct after she had battered a woman with a gun during a dispute over VIP seating in an Atlanta nightclub in 2000.

[23] On October 31, 2007, Da Brat was involved in an altercation that ended in assault at a Halloween party held at Studio 72 nightclub near Atlanta.