Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Marie Sullivan (born April 9, 1987) is an American R&B and soul music singer-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, classical music and doo-wop can be heard in her work. Sullivan cites singers Lauryn Hill, Monica and Erykah Badu as her biggest influences and inspirations.

Early life

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Jazmine Sullivan grew up the middle sister between two brothers. 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. Meanwhile, Jazmine 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.

Still, Sullivan managed to persevere and began singing in the children’s choir, then a few years later with the adults, along with her mother, a former backup singer for Philadelphia International Records. Jazmine’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.” 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.

Music career

Jazmine'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 singer also sang background vocals for Kindred the Family Soul's debut album on the track "I Am". Sullivan was also featured on a song entitled "Smoking Gun" with Jadakiss on his 2009 album The Last Kiss.

Discography

Albums

Year	Information	Chart positions		Certifications
		U.S. Billboard 200	US R&B Album Chart		French Album Chart
2008	Fearless First released studio album Released: September 23, 2008	6	1	95	U.S. Sales: 418,648 RIAA Certification: TBA

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions					Album
		US Hot 100	US Airplay	US R&B	US Hot Adult R&B	US Pop 100		Turkey Top 20 Chart
2008	"Need U Bad"	37	24	1	2	83	—	Fearless
	"Bust Your Windows"	31	30	4	22		—		—
	"Lions, Tigers & Bears"	74	77	10	11	—	—
2009	"Dream Big"	—	—	—	—	—	6

Other Charting Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions		Album
		US R&B	US Hot Adult R&B
2008	"In Love With Another Man"	106	—	Fearless

Awards/Nominations

• 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)

Filmography

• Jazzy Fatnastees:In Process (2002) (TV series) - Herself
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2008) (TV series) - Herself

External links

• Official website
• Allmusic page
• Music Review - Jazmine Sullivan - Singing That Sweet Soul Music at S.O.B.’s at New York Times
• Myspace page