The 50 Greatest Chicago Rap Songs

#12. Da Brat "Funkdafied"

Year: 1994
Produced By: Jermaine Dupri
Album: Funkdafied
Label: So So Def

If it wasn't for Da Brat-tat-tat-tat proclaiming she was "coming straight from the 6-0-6-4-4," most would've confused her for another one of Jermaine Dupri's ATLien proteges. After winning a Yo! MTV Raps–sponsored talent show, the woman born Shawntee Harris cashed in her grand prize, which was getting to meet the then-hot duo Kriss Kross. So impressed were they with Da Brat's talents, that Chris and, well, Chris, introduced her to their boss Jermaine Dupri, who then offered her a contract with So So Def. Despite her being labeled as a budget female version of Snoop Doggy Dogg, Da Brat's debut album, Funkdafied, propelled by the title-track single, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard rap charts and allowed her to become the first platinum-selling female rapper ever. Free Da Brat!

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