Da Brat :
Limelight, Luv And Nightclubs

Release Date: 15 July 2003

Reviewed By: Bhavna Malkani

1. World Premiere (feat. Jermaine Dupri, MOP, Q Da Kid)

2. In Love Wit Chu (feat. Cherish)

3. Ain't Got Time To Waste

4. Gotta Thing For You (feat. Mariah Carey)

5. Who Am I

6. Boom

7. Got It Poppin'

8. Chuch (feat. Cee-Lo)

9. Get Somebody (feat. Keisha Jackson)

10. I Was The One (Anthony Hamilton)

11. Gushy Wushy

12. Don't Get Mad Get money (feat. X-1)

13. Reaper's Anthem

14. California Girls (remix)

Monica - After The Storm
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Da Brat has clearly displayed an album purely for a ladies night, which is undoubtedly reflected in the title of her fourth release – Limelight, Luv and Nightclubs. Those of you who have been faithful to the So So Def female rapper, Ms Shawntaee` Harris, may be a little surprised with the direction she has taken with this album. I don’t think we should expect her to hit platinum like she did with her debut, Funkdafied or with one of her best album’s to date, Anuthatantrum.

The reason why I say the direction has changed is perhaps previously we would have heard from Da Brat a representation of the streets and a touch of gangsta rap. However with her previous and current release, we hear echoes of what other female popular rappers tend to rap about – sex. Now it could be evident that Ms Harris no longer wants to be classified as a ‘brat’ in this rap game. Perhaps she wants to be seen as a woman who has been through sexual and relationship experiences just like any other female artist or is she altering her style to compete with others in the industry? This is clear with the change in her image from her latest video to her album cover where Da Brat is dripped in Dolce & Gabbana, dressed in a black pair of hot pants and a matching corset… I think you get my drift!

Back to the sounds of her album, which starts off with the only rough sounding track on the album which features M.O.P, Jermaine Dupri and a new rapper by the name by Q Da Kid- (an artist who tries his best to reflect the style of Jigga?) Next is Da Brat’s first release, In Love Wit you, which reminds me of her previous single that featured Tyrese – a pop/hip hop track, a perfect single to market the album to mainstream audiences. Nothing new was done to make this single stand out or sound any different. The same can be said to various other tracks on the album including Who I am and Get it Poppin’. The album features many R&B collaborations, including a usual partnership with Mariah Carey. The song is a laid back track, thanks to the vocals of Mariah, with a funky beat. I can imagine this song being a future single released in which Da Brat could attempt similar success that Busta had with Mariah. Another interesting track to mention would be the most explicit track on the album Boom, in which the song samples a big techno hit from DJ Entice's “I F**ked Your Boyfriend”, where she brags about how she stole someone else’s man and her sexual adventures with him.

Other tracks on the album consist of ‘relationship tracks’, where she raps about her heartbreaking experiences. One of my few favourite tracks on the album features neo-soul new-comer Anothony Hamiliton; a song where Da Brat thought she had found ‘the one’ in a relationship in which she had given her all. The track displays that she can write about other issues outside the street, partying and sex.

The 11 track album ends with a party track titled, Gushy Wushy – a perfect way that summarizes the CD – material that doesn’t stand out, and songs that have been done over and over again by Da Brat as well as other artists. Is the life cycle of this album over or can we expect Da Brat to go back to her tomboy, street roots?

Rating: 1 out of 5

Recommended tracks:
3. Aint got time to waste
4. Gotta thing for you feat mariah carey
10. I was the one

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