Da Brat emerged as a pioneering female MC in the '90s, known for her tough lyrical skills and hardcore attitude. Discovered by producer Jermaine Dupri, she released her platinum-selling debut album, Funkdafied, in 1994, becoming the first female rapper with a platinum-selling album. Her follow-up, Anuthatantrum, in 1996, yielded hits like "Sittin' on Top of the World" and "Ghetto Love," solidifying her commercial success. Despite legal troubles, she continued to release music, collaborate with other artists, and make appearances in film and television, including a stint on The Surreal Life and a co-hosting role on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.

In the years following her music success, Da Brat faced setbacks including a prison sentence for aggravated assault. Despite this, she made a comeback in 2013 with the single "Is It Chu" under her Rare Breed label and later gained traction as a co-host on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Her career saw a resurgence with appearances on Empire and the release of the single "#YAK (You Already Know)" featuring Sage the Gemini and Eric Bellinger. Despite challenges, Da Brat's influence as a pioneering female rapper remains significant in the hip-hop industry.