Da Brat Recalls Switching To A Sexier Style Because She Wanted "To Be F*ckable"

BY Erika Marie 24.5K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
John Sciulli / Stringer / Getty Images
Da Brat, Sexiness, The Tamron Hall Show
The rapper is known for her tomboy style, but there was a time when she showed some skin after seeing other women in the industry "giving body."

Throughout her career, Da Brat has held tight to her tomboy aesthetic. The So So Def icon stepped onto the scene back in the 1990s with her bandanas, oversized shirts, and baggy jeans, but for a brief moment, Da Brat switched things up and opted to show off a little sex appeal. It wasn't what her audience was used to, but during a recent interview with Tamron Hall, Brat explained why she changed her look to a sexier style.

Amanda Edwards / Stringer / Getty Images

Brat shared with Tamron that she never felt pressure from her team to be anything other than her authentic self.  “I would not let anybody change me or put me in anything tight until I felt it was safe, or I felt like it," said the rapper. "Now, I did make most of my own decisions, really the majority of them. When it came to dressing, [Jermaine Dupri] never tried to change me. I stayed with my pants to the back and my big clothes for as long as I wanted to, and I felt like, ‘Oh all these girls giving body, let me show I got something to work with too.’ So, that’s what that was all about.”

She added that the brief change had nothing to do with her sexuality or trying to prove something to the public.  “I just wanted to be f*ckable, and that is what had to happen to sell records, which is what I was told.” Check out her interview below as well as her single "What'chu Like" featuring Tyrese where fans saw a change in Da Brat's look.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.