Can a Tomboy Ever Be Sexy? (Da Brat Comes Out Her Shell)

Did anyone else see the pictures of rapper Da Brat that Vibe.com released the other day? Well, it was part of their summer chic shoot, where the notoriously hardcore female rapper showed off her more “feminine” side. It’s not the first time Brat’s shed the baggy jeans for a more girlie look, some might remember back around the time she was allegedly(?) messing with Allen Iverson that she came out at the BET Awards (or some awards show) in a skin-tight outfit looking right. I wrote something for The Source around the time, saying how A.I. must have tapped into her freaky side that Brat got mad about, but that’s another story for another time…

Along with the photos, Vibe.com also leaked a brief interview with the recently released MC. Here’s an interesting snippet:

• VIBE.COM: Was it uncomfortable transitioning into a “sex symbol” or is this just another side of you that we never see?
• DA BRAT: I’m such a f*cking lady. I loved to get glammed up. I love manis and pedis. I like to go to Vicky Secrets and La Perla because I like lace and bikinis. I’m such a P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thug).
• What type of message do you want to portray to women about their bodies.
• Be who you are!
• What type of clothes do you wear to make you look sexy?
• It depends on the look and how I’m feeling that day.
• What is your favorite body part?
• I don’t have just one. I love all parts of my body! But on a man, I love the Adonis line. It’s just so sexy!

Although I’ve always thought Da Brat was an attractive woman underneath the patented braids and baggy jeans (she is after all LisaRaye’s half sister), but I’m not convinced she can pull off the whole “sexy” thing. She’s been too hardcore for too long. She went to jail for crackin’ a bottle over a waitress’ head for Pete’s sake.

Is it just me or does Da Brat not even look that comfortable in this shoot? And far be it for me to fall prey to rumors and speculation, but I couldn’t help but give a little side-eye when I read the whole “Adonis line” fetish in the interview. Whatever floats your boat, Brat—feminine or ferocious—all I care about is if the music is dope.

What do you think of Da Brat’s “sexy” photo shoot? Do you think Da Brat is an attractive woman under her hardcore image? How many guys would actually holla at her if given the chance? Or do you think she wouldn’t be interested? Do you think a tomboy can ever shed her boyish image? Do you think the right man can bring a tomboy out of her shell or is it all on her? Have you ever bumped into a tomboy from back in the day that blossomed into an attractive woman? What’s your favorite body part?

Speak your piece…