Net Worth Ranker
What Is Da Brat’s Net Worth?
As of today, Da Brat’s net worth is estimated to be around $100,000. This figure is based on available financial records, including her bankruptcy filings and estimated income from various entertainment ventures.
Da Brat’s Financial History
Da Brat, born Shawntae Harris, achieved significant commercial success early in her career. Her debut album, “Funkdafied,” released under Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label, sold over one million copies by 1994. This made her the first female solo rapper to achieve platinum status. Despite this early success, legal issues and other financial challenges have impacted her net worth.
In August 2018, Da Brat filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, revealing a stark contrast between her assets and liabilities. According to the filing, her assets totaled $108,700, while her liabilities amounted to $7.8 million. The liabilities primarily stemmed from a $6.4 million judgment awarded to a woman injured in a 2007 assault. The judgment later grew to $8 million with interest.
The bankruptcy filing provided a detailed snapshot of her financial obligations. Besides the judgment, Da Brat owed Sony Music $1.255 million, Ally Bank $12,000, and amounts to the IRS and the Georgia Department of Revenue. Her listed assets included a 1999 Mercedes 238i valued at $5,000, a 2014 BMW 328i valued at $15,000, and a Jeep Wrangler valued at $23,000. Her average monthly income was reported as $9,300, while her average monthly expenses were $10,500.
In 2016, Da Brat reported a total income of $92,000. By mid-2018, around the time of her bankruptcy filing, she had earned $75,000. These figures provide some insight into her income streams before the bankruptcy proceedings.
Da Brat’s Career and Earnings
Da Brat’s career began in 1992 when Jermaine Dupri discovered her after she won a rap contest sponsored by “Yo! MTV Raps.” Signed to So So Def, she released “Funkdafied,” which reached number two on the R&B charts and spent nearly three months atop the rap singles chart. The single “Funkdafied” reached #1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, “Give It 2 You,” peaked at #26 on the Hot 100.
Her second album, “Anuthatantrum” (1996), continued her success with hits like “Sittin’ on Top of the World” and “Ghetto Love” (featuring T-Boz from TLC). She also made notable cameo appearances on records by Mariah Carey (“Always Be My Baby” remix), Missy Elliott, and Lil’ Kim, increasing her visibility and income.
Throughout the late 1990s, Da Brat gained prominence through featured appearances on other artists’ albums. She collaborated with Kris Kross on “Da Bomb” and “Young, Rich and Dangerous.” She also appeared in the 1996 film “Kazaam,” starring alongside Shaq, further diversifying her income streams.
In 1997, she contributed to the “Honey (So So Def mix)” remix for Mariah Carey and recorded the hit remix of “Ladies Night (Not Tonight)” with Lil’ Kim, Left Eye from TLC, Angie Martinez, and Missy Elliott. She was also featured on Missy Elliott’s “Sock It 2 Me” and a remix of Destiny’s Child’s “Jumpin’ Jumpin’,” solidifying her reputation and expanding her earning potential.
Her third album, “Unrestricted” (2000), adopted a sexier image and became her second R&B chart-topper, also climbing into the pop Top Five. The singles “That’s What I’m Looking For” and “What’Chu Like” (featuring Tyrese) were hits, although the album was not as critically acclaimed as her previous works. In 2001, she reached #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop singles chart with Ludacris on a remix of Mariah Carey’s “Loverboy.” She also featured on a remix of Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor” that year.
In 2002, Da Brat appeared in Mariah Carey’s film “Glitter.” Her fourth album, “Limelite, Luv & Niteclubz” (2003), peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 200 and #6 on the Top R&B Albums chart. That same year, she appeared on VH1’s “The Surreal Life,” adding to her public profile and income.
A career resurgence occurred in 2005 when she reunited with Jermaine Dupri and was featured on Dem Franchize Boyz’s “I Think They Like Me” remix. The song hit #1 on the Hot R&B chart and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. She also toured with Mariah Carey in 2006, performing her rap verses on “Heartbreaker” and “Honey,” further boosting her income and visibility.
Following her release from prison, Da Brat launched a YouTube web series called “Brat Chronicles: In Transition,” documenting her post-incarceration life. In 2011, she collaborated with Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne on a remix called “Motivation.” She released a new single, “Is It Chu?” on July 2, 2013.
Since July 2015, she has been a co-host on the Rickey Smiley Morning radio show and part of the “Dish Nation” cast in Atlanta, providing a steady income stream. She also appeared on “The Rap Game” as a mentor to young artists, showcasing her experience and increasing her public profile.
Since 2017, Da Brat has appeared in the reality TV series “Growing up Hip Hop: Atlanta.” She has also starred in television series such as “Envy: Seven Deadly Sins,” “The Chi,” “Brat Loves Judy,” “Step Up: High Water,” and “Saturdays,” and the 2018 film “Canal Street,” contributing to her diverse income portfolio.
Legal and Personal Challenges Impacting Net Worth
In October 2007, Da Brat was involved in an assault at a Halloween party at the Studio 72 nightclub in Atlanta. She attacked a hostess, hitting her with a rum bottle and causing permanent scars and nerve damage. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was sentenced to three years in prison, seven years of probation, and 200 hours of community service. She was released from prison on February 28, 2011.
The assault victim sued Da Brat, and in February 2014, a civil court awarded the victim $6.4 million to cover her injuries and past/future loss of earnings. This judgment significantly contributed to Da Brat’s financial problems and eventual bankruptcy filing.
Da Brat’s Personal Life and Recent Developments
Da Brat publicly came out on Instagram in March 2020, revealing her relationship with businesswoman Jesseca Dupart, the founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products. In February 2022, Da Brat and Dupart married in Georgia. They welcomed a son in July 2023.
Jesseca Dupart is a successful entrepreneur, which brings additional financial dynamics into their household. While this doesn’t directly impact Da Brat’s individual net worth, it reflects the couple’s combined financial stability.
Real Estate Information
Specific details about Da Brat’s real estate holdings are not publicly available. Real estate assets can significantly contribute to an individual’s net worth, but without concrete data, it is difficult to provide further details.
Automobile Assets
During her 2018 bankruptcy filing, Da Brat listed several vehicles as assets, including a 1999 Mercedes 238i valued at $5,000, a 2014 BMW 328i valued at $15,000, and a Jeep Wrangler valued at $23,000. These vehicles were among the few assets she declared during the proceedings. There is no recent, public, verified information regarding current automobile assets.
