Da Brat: Unrestricted : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

There's plenty of Da Brat's usual funky, staccato rap style on Unrestricted, her follow-up to 1996's Anuthatantrum. But Unrestricted -- which features guest twiddlers such as Timbaland joining resident producer Jermaine Dupri -- is all about playing the field. Grown up but still attitudinal, Da Brat manages to sound as sultry as her R&B soul sisters without deigning to play the sex kitten. On an amorous duet with Tyrese, "What 'Chu Like," she prowls and growls, then simmers Caribbean-warm on "What's on Ya Mind." She drops Rasta raps in "Back Up'' with Ja Rule, then meows like a feline looking for her tom on "Breeve on Em." Da Brat still carries traces of the novice hardcore kid of 1994's Funkdafied, but now she's learned how to make love and trouble at the same time. (RS 840)

NEVA CHONIN