The hip-hop icon and beauty entrepreneur share marriage insights, personal stories and relationship advice in their upcoming memoir
Hip-hop trailblazer Da Brat and beauty mogul Jesseca Judy Harris-Dupart are opening up about their marriage in a way few celebrity couples ever do. The pair will release their joint memoir and relationship guide, The Way Love Goes, on Feb. 3, offering an unfiltered look at how they built both a thriving marriage and a business empire together.
The book arrives as Da Brat and Judy continue captivating audiences through their WeTV reality series Brat Loves Judy and their combined social media following of over 7.4 million across music, beauty, lifestyle and LGBTQ communities. Their willingness to share authentic moments from their relationship has made them one of entertainment’s most inspiring couples.
A love story that changed everything
Da Brat, born Shawntae Harris, spent years navigating rumors about her sexuality while believing she would remain closeted forever. That all changed when she met Judy in 2017. Their chemistry sparked immediately, though they initially went their separate ways before fate brought them back together at the Essence Festival.
The Grammy-nominated rapper made the bold decision to live her truth, publicly coming out in March 2020. Her announcement marked a pivotal moment not just personally but for hip-hop culture, where few prominent artists had openly embraced their sexuality during their careers.
Their love story quickly blossomed into their hit reality series, followed by a wedding and the joyful announcement that Da Brat was expecting their first child. On July 6, 2023, the couple welcomed their son, True Legend Harris-Dupart, marking a beautiful new chapter for the family.
Real talk about real relationship challenges
The Way Love Goes tackles the everyday hurdles that couples face, regardless of their fame or success. Written in Da Brat’s signature Chicago tone and Judy’s distinctive New Orleans voice, the memoir addresses communication breakdowns, balancing demanding careers with intimacy, managing jealousy and finding common ground when perspectives clash.
The authors promise raw, loving and unfiltered insights into what makes their marriage work. Rather than presenting a picture-perfect fairy tale, they share the practical strategies and honest conversations that help them navigate challenges while maintaining their deep connection.
The book reveals not just romantic moments but the work required to sustain a relationship while simultaneously building a business empire. Da Brat and Judy have managed to intertwine their personal and professional lives, including launching the Kaleidoscope X Da Brat Protective Styling Collection, inspired by the rapper’s iconic hairstyles over the years.
Two powerhouses with impressive legacies
Da Brat made history as the first solo female rapper to sell one million units when her debut album Funkdafied entered the rap albums chart at number one in 1994 and achieved platinum status. The title track topped rap charts and reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100, followed by Give It 2 You, which climbed to number 26.
Her collaborations read like a who’s who of hip-hop and R&B royalty. She’s worked with Jermaine Dupri, Kris Kross, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Aaliyah, The Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, Destiny’s Child, Brandy and many others. Her Grammy-nominated track Not Tonight (Ladies Night) with Lil’ Kim, Left Eye, Missy Elliott and Angie Martinez remains a cultural anthem.
Beyond music, Da Brat has appeared across television and film in shows including Empire on FOX, The Chi on Showtime and Growing Up Hip-Hop: Atlanta on WeTV. She co-hosted Dish Nation and served as executive producer and recap host for The Rap Game on Lifetime.
Building a beauty empire with purpose
Judy brings her own impressive credentials to the partnership. As founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products, she built a multi-million-dollar company that became one of the fastest-growing multicultural hair care brands on the market. The line achieved national retail success through partnerships with Target, Walmart, Sally Beauty, CVS and Walgreens.
Her business success stems from a commitment to inclusivity, creativity and delivering results for customers with diverse hair textures and styling needs. The Kaleidoscope X Da Brat collection represents the intersection of their personal and professional lives, translating Da Brat’s signature protective styles into products consumers can use at home.
Judy also founded KaleidoKares, a nonprofit dedicated to community service. In 2018, she and Kaleidoscope Hair Products earned a Guinness World Record for hosting a massive toy donation drive in New Orleans’ Superdome, spreading holiday joy to local children. Her advocacy extends to supporting female founders and LGBTQ entrepreneurs, with a mission to inspire ownership, independence and authenticity.
Philanthropy as a shared value
Both women prioritize giving back to their communities. Beyond KaleidoKares, Da Brat lends her voice and time to organizations including Kamileon’s Kloset, Hosea Feed the Hungry and Saving Our Daughters. Their philanthropic efforts reflect values that strengthen their marriage while creating positive impact.
The couple’s commitment to visibility and representation carries particular weight in both the hip-hop and business communities, where LGBTQ voices have historically faced barriers. By living openly and sharing their story, they provide inspiration for others navigating similar journeys.
Faith, humor and authenticity as foundations
The Way Love Goes emphasizes how Da Brat and Judy stay grounded despite their success and public profiles. They credit faith, humor and authenticity as essential ingredients in their relationship, allowing them to weather challenges while maintaining perspective on what truly matters.
Their ability to laugh together, communicate honestly and support each other’s ambitions creates a model for modern partnership. The book promises to share specific examples and practical advice readers can apply to their own relationships.
The memoir arrives at a moment when audiences crave authentic celebrity content that goes beyond superficial glamour. Da Brat and Judy’s willingness to discuss real struggles alongside their triumphs offers something genuinely valuable to readers seeking relationship guidance.
The Way Love Goes is available now for pre-order ahead of its Feb. 3 release date.