By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

I'm convinced. There's a never-ending trend in hip-hop: getting arrested.

I used to think that artists and acts (for lack of a better word) would get into a legal dilly-dally around the time there was new music to be released – that type of publicity can go a longger way than a Vibe magazine spread – but now it's becoming more commonplace. Even for former chart-topping rap superstars.

In the case of Da Brat, whose latest claims to fame has been as a star of VH1 reality shows 'Celebrity Fit Club' and 'The Surreal Life,' music marketing has nothing to do with it.

The 33-year-old former Jermaine Dupri-protegee was arrested earlier today a dispute with a waitress at a nightclub northeast of Atlanta, the Associated Press reported.

According to DeKalb County Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish (such a hip-hop name), the 'Funkdafied' rapstress – legally known as Shawntae Harris -- was charged with aggravated assault.

Officers reportedly answered a call to Studio 72 at 1:20 a.m. about a "brief pushing sort of thing," Parish said.

Police didn't say whether the nightclub is the same one that Dupri opened earlier this year, but the street address is the same. So do the math.

Parish said the police report indicates Harris and a 24-year-old waitress at the club got into a squabble after the waitress bumped into her. At some point, the waitress walked away and moments later was hit in the face with the bottle of rum.

Good God!!! I don't see nothing wrong with a little "bump" and grind.

The unidentified waitress reportedly sustained a deep laceration to the cheek and some swelling on the forehead, and was driven to a hospital by a friend.

Known as the first female rapper to get certified platinum, Da Brat has collaborated with Mariah Carey, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, Destiny's Child, Lil' Kim, Dem Franchize Boyz, Notorious B.I.G. and Brandy.

Born and bred in Chicago, she is the half sister of actress LisaRaye, whom she starred alongside with in the Neema Barnette-directed prison drama 'Civil Brand.'

Now she really joins the ranks of other hip-hop divas -- like Foxy Brown, Remy Ma, Lil' Kim and Eve -- who have had major trouble with the law.

UPDATE: The Associated Press reported Da Brat was released from jail Thursday night after posting a $50,000 bond. She still faces aggravated assault charges.