Women That Rock- Jasmine Sullivan

http://www.jazminesullivanmusic.com/

Jazmine Sullivan

This week we will go back to a familiar voice for our featured artist who has singing running through her veins. “Jazmine Sullivan” was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Her mother sung as a backup singer for Philadelphia international records, so Jazmine is no stranger to good singing. Sullivan began singing as a contralto in the children’s choir, and then a few years later in the adult choir. Many have described Jazmine’s vocals as being spinto-alto, taking a lot of her queues from “Kim Burrell” “Lauryn Hill” and “Brandy”, particularly there thunderous voices and smooth runs. Sullivan’s exposure to secular music was initially limited. When she was as young as eleven someone wanted her to sign with a gospel label but she wasn’t ready for that type of exposure. Later she would enter McDonald’s music competition for kids, then is when she had a chance to perform on “It’s Showtime At the Apollo”. At age 15, Ms.Sullivan signed with Jive Records where she recorded an entire Album that was never released and she was eventually dropped from the label. While with Jive, she developed a great working relationship with “Missy Elliot”, who produced a number of tracks on her debut project, including the buzz single “Backstabbers” produced by “Timbaland” written by Elliot. While she was unsigned, this is when she started honing in on her writing skills. Finally, she signs with J. Records and reconnected with Missy Elliot to create several masterpieces.

Jazmine recorded “Fearless” and “Love Me Back” with the help of Missy Elliot and other noted producers in the game. Jazmine had also lent her pen to some A-list artists like “Jennifer Hudson” “ Tamia” “Monica” and “Fantasia Barrino”.

Now, she’s back with a new project entitled “Reality Show”. On January 13, 2015 she released the album which positioned No. 1 on the Billboard r&b album charts and No. 2 on Billboard r&b Hiphop album charts. The track “Let it Burn” is one of my favorites. The first single off the album is entitled “Dumb” featuring “Meek Mills”. This song cleverly written, is describing a brother getting caught in a lie but thinking he’s getting away with it. This is an awesome track, carefully written and directed. I can’t stress enough how the need to support great artist and their craft. I truly believe that this is the time to bring back great soulful r&b like we once knew and Ms. Jazmine Sullivan is clearly leading the way.

Leslie A. Thomas is a Music Blogger and a lover of all things music!

Follow me on Twitter @LBlogger252005.