Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan performing live at a concert in Columbia, South Carolina, 2008
Background information
Birth name	Jazmine Marie Sullivan
Born	April 9, 1987 (1987-04-09) (age 22), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	R&B, soul
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2002 — present
Labels	J Records, Arista, Puppy Love
Website	[2]

Jazmine Marie Sullivan (born April 9, 1987) is an American R&B and soul music singer and songwriter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also the protégé of rapper Missy Elliott. Her debut single "Need U Bad" reached number one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while her second single, "Bust Your Windows" peaked at number four. Elements of reggae, dub, pop, jazz, Neo soul and doo-wop can be heard in her work. Sullivan cites singers Lauryn Hill, Kim Burrell and Erykah Badu as her biggest influences and inspirations.

Biography

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Jazmine Sullivan grew up the middle sister between two brothers. Her mother is a former backup singer for Philadelphia International Records. When she was 5 years old, her father landed a position as a curator for the city's Historic Strawberry Mansion in the Strawberry Mansion section, and her family moved into the historical landmark. Sullivan struggled to assimilate at school. She is a 2005 graduate of the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts where she was a vocal music major^[1].

Sullivan began singing in the children’s choir, then a few years later in the adult choir. Sullivan’s exposure to secular music was initially limited, "I was doing solos in church and someone wanted me to sign to a gospel label when I was eleven but I wasn’t ready to do that," she recalls. "Then when McDonald’s had a competition for kids in major cities, I got a chance to perform 'Accept What God Allows' on It's Showtime at the Apollo and the audience responded really well"^[2]. She sang with Stevie Wonder at his grandson's birthday at the age of 13. Sullivan was initially signed to Jive Records at the age 16, but the album was never released and Sullivan was dropped from the label. Instead of being defeated, Sullivan honed her songwriting abilities and wrote her debut album completely ^[3].

Music career

Songwriter (2006-2008)

Sullivan has also been credited as a songwriter on R&B singer, Fantasia's debut album "Free Yourself". She also penned hits for the likes of Christina Millian and her hit single "Say I", among other songs from her 3rd studio album So Amazin. She was also credited as a songwriter on Jennifer Hudson's song, "I'm His Only Woman" featured on Hudson's self-entitled debut album, Jennifer Hudson.

Fearless (2008-2009)

Sullivan first appeared on the music mainstream with her single "Need U Bad", released in May 2008. The song which featured ad-libs by Missy Elliott went to number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it also peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Sullivan's debut album Fearless was released September 23, 2008. As an executive producer and sole songwriter on Fearless, Sullivan (along with her mother, Missy Elliott, Salaam Remi and Peter Edge) has orchestrated a debut opus full of lush musical arrangements by Elliott, Remi, Stargate, Carvin & Ivan Jack Splash, and Fisticuffs. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and in the same week debuted at number six on the Billboard 200. The album is nearing RIAA Gold certification with sales of over 436,000 so far.

Sullivan followed up her successful debut single with the second single from Fearless, "Bust Your Windows", which went on to reach number four on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, at the same time achieving her best single peak on the Billboard Hot 100 so far, where it peaked at #31. A remix of the song appeared on rapper, Lil' Z's mixtape Mr. B.O.O.T.H. "Bust Your Windows" was also nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Song. "Lions, Tigers & Bears" was the third and final U.S. single from Fearless. It scored her third consecutive top ten on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and also peaked at #74 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Sullivan later pursued success in the UK when she released "Dream Big" as her first official UK single. Following "Dream Big", Fearless was officially released across the UK in June 2009. Sullivan was also featured on a song entitled "Smoking Gun" with Jadakiss on his 2009 album The Last Kiss. Sullivan was a supporting act for R&B sensation, Ne-Yo during his 2009 "Year of the Gentleman Tour". She additionally appeared on Ace Hood's second album, Ruthless, on a track called "Champion". Sullivan also participated in the Essence Music Festival in June 2009. In 2009, Sullivan appeared in commercials for Cotton Incorporated.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Featured Singles

Awards/Nominations

• BET Awards
  • 2009, Best Female R&B Artist (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best New Artist (Nominated)
  • 2009, BET Centric Award (Winner)

• Grammy Awards
  • 2009, Best New Artist (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Need U Bad" (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best R&B Contemporary Album: "Fearless" (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best R&B Song: "Bust Your Windows" (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: "I'm In Love With Another Man" (Nominated)

• Image Awards
  • 2009, Outstanding New Artist (Nominated)

• Soul Train Awards
  • 2009, Best New Artist (nominated)

Filmography

• Jazzy Fatnastees:In Process (2002) (TV series) - Herself
• The Ellen Degeneres Show' (2008) Herself
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2008) (TV series) - Herself
• "106 & Park" (2008) (TV series) - Herself
• "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (2009) (TV series) - Herself
• "Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2009) (TV series) - Herself^[10]
• "Good Morning America" (2009) (TV series) - Herself

References

External links

• Official website
• Jazmine Sullivan interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' September 2009
• Allmusic page
• Music Review - Jazmine Sullivan - Singing That Sweet Soul Music at S.O.B.’s at New York Times
• Myspace page