By Ruth Manuel-Logan on May 27th 2010 10:55AM
Female rapper and celeb reality TV star
Da Brat, who is nearing the end of a
three-year prison sentence for smashing a bottle across a woman's face in 2007, has been released from prison on a work-release program.
The 2007 incident started when Da Brat, whose real name is
Shawntae Harris, got into an argument with a waitress in an Atlanta-area club owned by record producer
Jermaine Dupri. A shouting match between Da Brat and the waitress escalated into shoving, and witnesses testified that the rapper then picked up a rum bottle and hit the worker across the face with it, leaving the woman with permanent facial scars.
The petite performer, who is the sibling of actress and former first lady of Turks and Caicos
LisaRaye, was charged with felony aggravated assault. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years behind bars, seven years of probation and 200 hours of community service.
While behind bars, Da Brat was allowed to make a rare appearance on 'Living the Life,' a Web series hosted by Dupri, with whom she maintains close ties and refers to as her "brother." Her work-release program involves a daily commute from her cell to a nine-to-five job where she makes windows.
When asked about her future plans, Da Brat enthusiastically replied, "I'm doing my thing. When I come out I'mma be making windows, music, movies, TV shows, anything I can get my hands on. It's too much grass done grew up while I ain't do nothing all this time and it got on my nerves. I'm fittin' to come out and run...fast."
Seems like Da Brat has some grown-up plans.
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Comments: (20)
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By: carla ford on 5/27/2010 11:23AM
She needs to enroll in school if she hasn't already & work on that grammar, "It's too much grass done grew up while I ain't do nothing all this time and it got on my nerves". smh
Earth to Brat: you assaulted someone (not the 1st time) with a bottle;now you're paying your debt to society-so if this prison sentence is an inconvenience to you, too damn bad.
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By: Sheryl on 5/28/2010 12:53PM
True, Carla... I hope this was her "bottom"!! You know sometimes we have to hit 'rock bottom', before we realize how blessed we truly are, and I hope this 'bottom' will mark her turning point in life.
I am glad that she maintains a relationship w/Lisa Raye, and maybe they can help each other heal.
But before she can do that, she needs to make amends... serving a prison sentence is not enough, she needs to apologize with sincerity to that waitress, and if she can...in person (not necessary but it shows that she is making the first step) then... she can wipe the slate clean and start anew.
I am not a rap fan, but that is her calling...and some formal education wouldn't hurt either! "I'm Just sayin" LOL
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By: bed5d0e on 5/27/2010 11:47AM
I didn't know she had gone to prison. I'm glad she's getting out.
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By: Beverly on 5/28/2010 6:21AM
So you're glad she's getting out, huh? No mention of what she did to get in prison in the first place. She smashed a bottle across a womans' face and now this woman has permanent scars on her face! A person like that has a nasty temper which, obviously, she can't control. Your comment suggests that SHE was the victim, not the woman who was hurt by her. She sounds like a low-life who needs a lot of growing up to do. Not the classiest woman, to say the least. UGH!
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By: Ene on 5/28/2010 6:31PM
Why are you glad that she is getting out? Would you like to have her smash a bottle across your face? Should she get a pass because she has celebrity ties and had a rap career in the past? I hope that she got some counseling while she was in the joint so that no one else has to deal with the bratty actions of DaBrat!
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By: Perri on 5/27/2010 6:19PM
Da Brat needs to Da grow up. That wasn't the 1st time that she took things too far. I know she doesn't have it in her to be lady like, but at the same time, she doesn't have to run around acting like a 'round the way thug. My prayers are with the young woman she attacked.
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By: Kaino on 5/28/2010 7:44AM
You all are being a bit too sensitive. You are acting like her not being lady like has anything to do with it. You ever seen the show Snapped? Sometimes people have anger issues. The thing that amazes me is how we act like we know the whole story. I'm sorry but we know that some people exist out there, that deserve to get the crap beat out of them. I am not trying to pretend or act as if this woman did deserve it. But am I to believe an unproveked Brat just grapped a bottle and snapped? Besides that, how long is she supposed to pay for this crime?
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By: meanvee on 5/28/2010 9:45AM
I hope she lands back on her feet and get her life back on track, and at 36yrs old it is time for some real maturing, your too old to be in bars street fighting, it might not have been your fault, only you know that, but you can't put yourself in a position for things like this to happen.
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By: DNLDBLL9 on 5/28/2010 12:31PM
OH MY GOODNESS, TO BAD SHE DIDN'T PICK UP AN ENGLISH BOOK...LOL....GHETTO
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By: Perri on 5/28/2010 12:43PM
@Kaino
With respect, I would like to say the following:
Suppose someone who has a history a violent/aggresive behavior "snapped" and had done the same to you or worst, your child? Don't have to be there or know the minute by minute detail to see that she took things too far. Brat didn't go to prison for defending herself. What she did was malicious and the young lady that she cracked in the face with a rum bottle will have to deal with life long disfigurement. Sorry, my thoughts and prayer are with the victim. Long after Brat pays her debts to "society" the victim will be dealing with her injuries. She will take them to her grave.
It appears that you are sensitive to my stating that she should be more lady like. Let me rephase that to make my point. Shawntae Harris should be conducting herself in a manner befitting to a mature woman. She knows more than anyone that she has anger issues that may become more pronounced with the use of alcohol. She needs to get a handle on her life and stopped being a threat to herself and others!
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