The Brooklyn native -- separate from a similarly named reggae artist -- was born in 1979; in 1994, while still a teenager, she won a talent contest in Brooklyn, and was invited to freestyle on stage. At that time, Trackmasters were working on LL Cool J's Mr. Smith album, and they decided to let her rap over "I Shot Ya." The single became a hit, prompting Brown's work with Total, Braxton, and Case, as well as her induction into the Firm posse (led by Nas and also including AZ and Cormega). Brown's debut album, Ill Na Na, was produced by Trackmasters, and featured appearances from Blackstreet, Method Man, and Kid Capri. It hit number seven its first week on the album charts. China Doll followed in early 1999 and the provacativity continued on 2001's Broken Silence. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide