The Secret '90s Love Affair: 5 Shocking Details Da Brat Revealed About Dating NBA Legend Allen Iverson

The secret relationship between '90s rap icon Da Brat and NBA superstar Allen Iverson remains one of hip-hop and basketball's most enduring and fascinating rumors, but the truth is far more candid than anyone imagined. For years, the rapper kept her romantic life intensely private, only recently opening up about her sexuality and past loves, including her whirlwind romance with "The Answer."

As of December 2025, the most in-depth and fresh details about their time together come directly from Da Brat herself, who offered a rare, unfiltered look into their late '90s dynamic during an interview on Kandi Burruss's YouTube show, *Speak On It*. She revealed the intense passion, the surprising lack of communication on key personal issues, and the ultimate reason she decided to walk away from the high-profile, yet hidden, affair.

Biographical Profiles: The Rapper and The Answer

Before diving into the explosive details of their romance, it is essential to understand the magnitude of the two cultural figures involved, both of whom were at the height of their fame in the late 1990s.

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Da Brat (Shawntae Harris-Dupart)

• Full Name: Shawntae Harris-Dupart (née Harris)
• Born: April 14, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois
• Known As: Da Brat
• Career Highlights: Rapper, actress, and media personality. She rose to fame in 1992 after winning a contest sponsored by *Yo! MTV Raps*. Her 1994 debut album, *Funkdafied*, made her the first female solo rapper to achieve platinum status. She is known for her distinctive, tomboy image and rapid-fire flow.
• Current Life: Da Brat publicly came out later in her career and is currently married to entrepreneur Jesseca "Judy" Dupart.

Allen Iverson (Allen Ezail Iverson)

• Full Name: Allen Ezail Iverson
• Born: June 7, 1975, in Hampton, Virginia
• Known As: A.I., The Answer
• Career Highlights: Retired professional basketball player who spent 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson was an 11-time NBA All-Star, a four-time scoring champion, and the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2001. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
• Cultural Impact: Iverson is celebrated as a cultural icon who bridged hip-hop style with mainstream sports, known for his tattoos, cornrows, and unapologetic attitude.

The Whirlwind '90s Romance: How Da Brat and A.I. Connected

The relationship between Da Brat and Allen Iverson took place during a time when both were skyrocketing to superstardom. Da Brat was a trailblazing female rapper, and Iverson was establishing himself as one of the most electrifying and controversial players in the NBA. Their connection, which began in the late '90s, was described by the rapper as a true "whirlwind romance."

The rapper explained that the pair connected through mutual friends and that their relationship was passionate and intense. She fondly recalled Iverson's charm and his efforts to woo her. However, unlike many celebrity relationships of the era, theirs was kept entirely out of the public eye, a choice that Da Brat later revealed was a necessity for both their careers and personal lives.

The secrecy surrounding the affair has made the details she shared in her recent interviews all the more compelling, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain of their private lives during a high-octane period of their respective careers.

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5 Shocking and Candid Details Da Brat Revealed About Allen Iverson

In her candid conversation on Kandi Burruss’s *Speak On It*, Da Brat didn't hold back, shedding light on the complexities and eventual breakdown of her romance with the NBA legend. These revelations provide the most unique and fresh perspective on their time together.

1. The Relationship Was Completely Secret

Da Brat confirmed that she and Allen Iverson actively worked to keep their dating life a secret. This was partly due to the intense media scrutiny both faced, but also because of the conservative nature of the time regarding celebrity relationships. The rapper noted that she chose not to make the relationship public, which contributed to its "whirlwind" and insular nature. This secrecy meant that for decades, their connection was merely a whisper in the gossip columns, a fact she only recently confirmed.

2. Iverson Never Knew About Her Bisexuality

Perhaps the most poignant and surprising detail Da Brat shared was the lack of communication regarding her sexual orientation. She revealed that during their time together, they "never talked" about her bisexuality. This admission highlights the intense pressure and secrecy Da Brat felt in the 1990s, when being an openly bisexual or lesbian female rapper was virtually unheard of, even within the progressive world of hip-hop.

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3. The Dealbreaker: Too Many Women

The primary reason Da Brat cited for ending the relationship was Allen Iverson's inability to be monogamous. In a direct and humorous quote, she stated that Iverson "had too many b..." (referencing other women). This issue of infidelity, or simply too much attention from other admirers, became the ultimate dealbreaker for the rapper, despite the intense connection they shared. She felt he could not commit to a single-partner relationship, leading her to break things off.

4. A Humorous Incident Involving a Woman in His Bed

Da Brat recounted a story that perfectly encapsulated the chaos of dating a high-profile athlete. She recalled a time when she was staying at one of Iverson's residences and discovered another woman in his bed. Instead of a dramatic confrontation, Da Brat, known for her tough demeanor, simply moved the woman's clothes and shoes out of the room, sending a clear message without a word. The anecdote offers a glimpse into the dramatic highs and lows of their short-lived romance.

5. The Relationship Was "Sweet" Despite the Flaws

Despite the issues with infidelity and the intense secrecy, Da Brat also made sure to express that the relationship was genuinely "sweet" at times. She spoke highly of Iverson's personality and the genuine affection they shared, emphasizing that the end of their romance was not due to a lack of feeling, but rather a clash of lifestyles and expectations. This nuance adds depth to the narrative, moving it beyond simple celebrity gossip to a story about two young stars navigating fame and personal identity.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords for Deeper Context

To fully appreciate the cultural impact of this relationship, it's helpful to consider the surrounding entities and themes:

• Kandi Burruss: The host of the YouTube show *Speak On It*, which serves as the primary source of these recent revelations. Her platform allowed Da Brat to share her story in a safe and candid environment.
• Jesseca Dupart: Da Brat's current wife. Her public relationship with Dupart in 2020 was a major turning point, leading to Da Brat finally opening up about her past, including her relationship with Iverson.
• Philadelphia 76ers: The team Iverson was most famously associated with during the time he dated Da Brat, cementing his status as a legendary NBA All-Star.
• Sexual Orientation and Bisexuality: The revelation that Da Brat hid her bisexuality from Iverson speaks volumes about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ figures in the public eye during the 1990s.
• NBA Star Dating Rapper: This pairing is a classic example of the intersection of hip-hop and sports culture that defined the late 1990s and early 2000s, often resulting in "whirlwind romances" that captured the public imagination.

The Legacy of a Secret Love

The relationship between Da Brat and Allen Iverson, though short-lived and kept under wraps for decades, stands as a fascinating footnote in the history of two cultural titans. Da Brat's decision to finally share the intimate details of her "whirlwind romance" offers a powerful lesson in celebrity privacy, the challenges of navigating one's sexual identity in the public eye, and the simple reality that even two superstars can break up over the timeless issue of infidelity.

Ultimately, the story is a testament to Da Brat's journey toward living her truth. By opening up about her past with Iverson, she not only satisfied years of fan curiosity but also provided a candid context for the life she lives today with her wife, Jesseca Dupart, proving that some secrets, no matter how passionate, are meant to stay in the past.