Da Brat jailed after nightclub fight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Atlanta rapper Da Brat was arrested early today after allegedly hitting a waitress in the face with a rum bottle during an altercation at a Tucker-area nightclub.
DeKalb County police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said the 33-year-old rapper, whose real name is Shawntae Harris, got into an “altercation involving pushing” with a waitress at Studio 72, Jermaine Dupri’s club on Lawrenceville Highway.
File
Da Brat is known for such classic hits as “Funkdafied.”
DeKalb County Jail
Shawntae Harris (aka Da Brat) was booked into the DeKalb County Jail early today.
“According to witnesses, after the pushing, the waitress walked away, and a short time later, that’s when Harris picked up a bottle and hit the waitress in the face with it,” Parish said.
Parish said the rum bottle broke, causing a “deep laceration” to the 23-year-old woman’s cheek. The waitress also had swelling to her forehead, and was taken by friends to a local hospital.
Harris was arrested at the club a short time after the 1:20 a.m. Thursday incident and charged with felony aggravated assault, Parish said. She said the rapper will be held in the DeKalb County Jail until her initial appearance, which will be held within 72 hours after her arrest.
Thursday’s incident wasn’t the first time Harris has been arrested for fighting in a metro Atlanta club.
In March, 2000, she allegedly pistol-whipped another patron at the Chili Pepper nightclub in Buckhead. According to police, Harris beat the woman for sitting in the VIP lounge and not leaving when Harris’ followers told her to leave. The beating left the victim with a cut on her face that required three stitches.
Harris was charged with felony aggravated assault, but the charge was later reduced to misdemeanor reckless conduct in exchange for a guilty plea. Harris was ordered to serve 80 hours of community service, fined $1,000 and put on probation for 12 months.
Hits by Da Brat include the song “Funkdafied.” She also has appeared on reality shows such as “Celebrity Fit Club” and “The Surreal Life.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story
