A Detroit high school history teacher lost her job after parents complained about her ‘side hustle’ as a rapper and is now planning to take legal action against the school.
Domonique Brown, 32, was named Teacher of the Month for December at Taylor Preparatory High School in Detroit, Michigan.
However, the history teacher had to defend his rap career outside of school for five months after a parent anonymously filed a complaint in October 2023.
‘The first meeting was with my dean and my principal and they just said to me, “Hey, a parent said they saw your social media and you’re a bad influence because you’re a rapper,”” Brown said.
A parent had complained after seeing her music video titled DRIPPIN 101, which Brown released under her rap name, DrippinHoney.
A Detroit high school history teacher lost her job after parents complained about her ‘side hustle’ as a rapper and now plans to take legal action against the school
Domonique Brown was named Teacher of the Month for December at Taylor Preparatory High School in Detroit, Michigan
Despite the explicit lyrics and nature of her songs, Brown insists that her music career should not be associated with how professional she is at her job
The music video has 34k views and 619 comments on YouTube.
It features explicit language and lyrics such as ‘I ain’t no h*e – I’m ’bout the dough’ and ‘Motown baby going crazy like the 80’s’.
Brown’s music video shows a group of young adults dancing in a parking lot.
Despite the explicit lyrics and nature of her songs, Brown insists that her music career should not be associated with how professional she is at her job.
“I was like hey well can we tell that parent to come in and see professionalism, see me in a classroom, see me after school, see me at all the games, see me drop off kids every day, buy food?” Brown said of the situation.
‘Can they come and see me in my element before they try to say I’m unprofessional at it?’
“My life outside should not be grounds for termination when it does not interfere with my ability to fulfill my obligations as a teacher,” Brown said in the description of her music video.
‘My dedication, professionalism and passion for education has always been unwavering, no matter what personal pursuits I may have.’
Brown’s music video has 34,000 views and 619 comments on YouTube
The history teacher had to defend his rap career outside of school for five months after a parent anonymously filed a complaint in October 2023
A Taylor Prep parent had complained after seeing her music video titled DRIPPIN 101, which Brown released under her rap name, DrippinHoney
Brown believes she was discriminated against when she was fired because of her busyness.
Brown believes she was discriminated against when she was fired because of her busyness.
The parent continued to complain, despite Brown not receiving a written complaint even though she requested it.
“Music is part of the culture,” she said. ‘We’re from Motown, that’s what we do. So it’s not like it’s unheard of, it’s the culture. When you look like me, you understand it just a little bit … better,’ she shared Fox 2 in an interview.
The history teacher has been in the classroom for seven years and is also working on a master’s degree and would like to achieve her doctorate.
Brown plans to hire an attorney and take legal action against the school.
Taylor Prep released a statement on the matter.
“Student well-being remains at the forefront of everything we do, and we will continue to promote a distraction-free teaching and learning environment focused on student success,” the statement said.