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Heaux Tales

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Heaux Tales
The front cover of Jazmine Sullivan's EP 'Heaux Tales'
EP by
Jazmine Sullivan
ReleasedJanuary 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
Genre
Length32:21
LabelRCA
Producer
  • Key Wane
  • DZL
  • Cardiak
  • Kevin "Wu10" Wooten
  • Jairus "JMO" Mozee
  • Dev Hynes
  • Dave "Pop" Watson
  • Dilemma
  • Joe Logic
  • Gee
  • Uforo "Bongo ByTheWay" Ebong
Jazmine Sullivan chronology
Reality Show
(2015) 		Heaux Tales
(2021)
Singles from Heaux Tales
  1. "Lost One"
    Released: August 28, 2020
  2. "Pick Up Your Feelings"
    Released: November 20, 2020 (2020-11-20)
  3. "Girl like Me"
    Released: January 6, 2021 (2021-01-06)

Heaux Tales is the first extended play (EP) by American R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. It was released by RCA Records on January 8, 2021. Its release date was confirmed on December 2, 2020. Described as Sullivan's "fourth and bleakest album",[2] it is her first release since 2015's critically-acclaimed Reality Show. It includes features from Ari Lennox, Anderson .Paak, and H.E.R.[3] The EP was primarily recorded in Sullivan's Philadelphia home.[4]

While an extended play,[4] it has also been variably identified as a "concept album"[5] and "schematic, a successor to didactic concept albums like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill".[2] Structurally, six "spoken word interludes"[5] "are followed by songs that flesh them out as character studies". The themes explored include feminism, sexuality, classism, and body-shaming among other lyrical topics supported by narrative interludes between each song.[2] The project received widespread critical acclaim and was also a commercial success, debuting at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, marking Sullivan's highest position on the chart.

Heaux Tales won the Album of the Year award at the 2021 BET Awards and the 2021 Soul Train Music Awards;[6][7] it was named Album of the Year by NPR. It is nominated for Best R&B Album at the upcoming 64th Grammy Awards while the single "Pick Up Your Feelings" is nominated for both Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance awards. The project will be further promoted by The Heaux Tales Tour in 2022, Sullivan’s third US headlining tour.[8]

Background

Since establishing her recording career in 2008, Sullivan has been known to take long hiatuses between releases.[9][10][11][12] According to Revolt, Sullivan explained the inspiration behind the project in a video:[9]

"Heaux Tales is about my observation of today's women standing in their power and owning who they are — No longer is male patriarchy dictating what it means to be a 'good girl.' The truth is, women of all ages have been called a 'heaux' at some point in life, whether deserved or not, by some man trying to put us in our place; a place designed to keep us under control, out of the way and usually beneath them. [...] We all have a journey to make and it's our choice alone how we get there."

Complex magazine reports that Dev Hynes, Key Wane, DZL, and others contributed to the production on the project.[13] The promotional rollout for Heaux Tales included the premiere of her installment of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts series on January 8, 2021.[11] Sullivan stated in an interview with NPR Music, "particularly on this project, I was influenced by a few women today that I felt like were busting through those barriers and helping me to feel more confident in who I am," citing artists Cardi B and Lizzo.[14]

Singles

The first single, an acoustic ballad titled "Lost One", was released August 28, 2020 and peaked at number 9 on Billboard's US Hot R&B Songs.[15][16] The second single was "Pick Up Your Feelings", released November 20, 2020.[17] In place of a traditional music video, RCA Records released a live acoustic performance.[9] The song has since reached number 1 on Billboard's Adult R&B Airplay Chart and number 9 on the R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart.[18] The song also peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100.[18] Both singles were performed on BET during the Soul Train Music Awards on November 29, 2020.[19] Sullivan released her third single, "Girl like Me", featuring H.E.R., on January 6, 2021, marking the first time she has ever duetted with a woman on one of her own recordings.[12] The song debuted and peaked at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 29 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs.[18] "On It," duet with Ari Lennox, also peaked at number 40 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop and R&B/Hip-Hop airplay charts despite not being released as a single.[18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.6/10[20]
Metacritic83/100[21]
Review scores
SourceRating
Beats Per Minute80%[22]
Clash8/10[23]
Exclaim!8/10[24]
Rolling Stone[25]
Pitchfork8.6/10[26]
Tom Hull – on the WebB+ ((1-star Honorable Mention))[27]

Heaux Tales received a score of 83 out of 100 from review aggregate site Metacritic based on seven reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[21] Vulture lauded its displays of women's strength as seen in its "interludes [with] women like fellow singer Ari Lennox talking about femininity and sexual empowerment."[12] Alex Suskind of Entertainment Weekly called the project "a punchy concept album that tackles blissful romance, sexual freedom — and the complex moments that arise between."[28] Bobby Carter of NPR hailed it "a bold and timely conversation piece addressing truths regarding relationships, sex, social norms, self-worth and a myriad of other topics that women grapple with."[11] Wongo Okon of Uproxx praised it for casting "a light on the goalpost-shifting standards of this patriarchal society" while holding "the characteristics to be labeled a classic in the future."[29] Mankaprr Conteh of Pitchfork gave the EP the site's Best New Music distinction.[26]

Accolades

Heaux Tales on year-end lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
NPR Best Albums of 2021
1
[30]
Paste The 50 Best Albums of 2021
24
[31]
Pitchfork The 50 Best Albums of 2021
1
[32]

Commercial performance

Heaux Tales debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 43,000 album-equivalent units (including 7,000 copies as pure album sales) in its first week, according to MRC Data.[33] This became Sullivan's second US top-ten album and her highest-charting album in the US.[33] The album also debuted at number one on the US Top R&B Albums and number two on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[34] It also accumulated a total of 46 million on-demand streams of the project's songs that week.[34]

Track listing

Heaux Tales track listing[35][36]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bodies (Intro)"
Key Wane2:01
2."Antoinette's Tale"Antoinette HenrySullivan0:37
3."Pick Up Your Feelings"
  • Audra Mae Butts
  • Denisia "Blu June" Andrews
  • Kyle Coleman
  • Brittany "Chi" Coney
  • Sullivan
  • Michael Holmes
DZL3:49
4."Ari's Tale" (performed by Ari Lennox)Ari LennoxSullivan0:49
5."Put It Down"
  • Jason Vaughan
  • Weir II
  • Sullivan
Key Wane3:21
6."On It" (featuring Ari Lennox)
3:25
7."Donna's Tale"
  • Donna Anderson
  • Cheryl White
  • Anitra Sasser
Sullivan1:10
8."Pricetags" (featuring Anderson .Paak)
J.Mo4:23
9."Rashida's Tale"Rashida NorthingtonSullivan1:00
10."Lost One"
  • Sullivan
  • Dave Watson, Jr.
Dave "Pop" Watson2:58
11."Precious' Tale"Precious DaughtrySullivan0:43
12."The Other Side"
  • Dan Thomas
  • Matt Wong
  • Joe Gallagher
  • Sam Wishkoski
  • Sullivan
  • JoeLogic
  • Gee
  • Dilemma
3:37
13."Amanda's Tale"Amanda HendersonSullivan0:37
14."Girl Like Me" (featuring H.E.R.)
  • Sullivan
  • H.E.R.
  • Tarron Crayton
  • Uforo Ebong
Bongo ByTheWay3:44
Total length:32:21

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[37]

Musicians

  • Jon L. Smith – bass (1)
  • Antoinette Henry – vocals (1)
  • Ari Lennox – vocals (4 and 6)
  • Donna Anderson – vocals (7)
  • Anitra Sasser – vocals (7)
  • Cheryl White – vocals (7)
  • Rashida Northington – vocals (9)
  • Jermaine Blandford – bass (11)
  • Precious Daughtry – vocals (11)
  • Sam Wishkoski – strings (12)
  • Amanda Henderson – vocals (13)

Technical

  • Jazmine Sullivan – executive producer
  • Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
  • Erik Madrid – mixing engineer (1–3, 5, 6)
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing engineer (8, 10, 14)
  • Chris Galland – mixing engineer (8, 10, 14)
  • Joe Gallagher – mixing engineer (12), engineer (1–3, 5, 8–10, 12, 14)
  • Justin Miller – engineer (1–3, 5, 8–10, 12, 14)
  • Ben Thomas – engineer (2, 3, 9, 10)
  • Owen Modamwen – engineer (6)
  • Dave Watson – engineer (6)
  • Jhair "JHA" Lazo – engineer (8)
  • Miki Tsutsumi – engineer (14)
  • Dave "Pop" Watson– recording engineer (9)
  • Aaron Mattes – assistant engineer (1–3, 5)
  • Jeremie Inhaber – assistant engineer (8, 10, 14)
  • Scott Desmarais – assistant engineer (8, 10, 14)
  • Alex Pyle – assistant engineer (14)

Charts

References

  1. ^ Adhya, Arpita (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan 'Heaux Tales': Tracklist, how to stream and all you need to know about album with HER, Ari Lennox". Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Pareles, Jon (January 7, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan Ponders Love and Materialism on 'Heaux Tales'". New York Times. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  3. ^ Murray, Robin (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales". Clash. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Owens, Cassie (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan speaks on her struggles, spiritual growth, and her sultry new release, 'Heaux Tales'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b Sacher, Andrew (January 8, 2021). "Notable Releases of the Week". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  6. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (2021-06-27). "BET Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  7. ^ Choe, Brandon (2021-11-28). "Soul Train Awards 2021 Full Winners List: Jazmine Sullivan, Bruno Mars, Anderson. Paak, Maxwell Among Those Honored". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  8. ^ "https://twitter.com/jsullivanmusic/status/1466590855431606276". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-12-03. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  9. ^ a b c DJ First Class (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan tells some 'Heaux Tales' in her new project". Revolt. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  10. ^ Folk, Antwane (January 6, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan Shares Track List for 'Heaux Tales,' Releases New Song 'Girl Like Me' Featuring H.E.R." Rated R&B. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  11. ^ a b c Carter, Bobby (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert". NPR. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  12. ^ a b c Curto, Justin (January 8, 2021). "'Girl Like Me' is the Heart of Jazmine Sullivan's Heaux Tales". Vulture. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  13. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (January 9, 2021). "Listen to Jazmine Sullivan's New Project 'Heaux Tales' f/ H.E.R., Anderson .Paak, and Ari Lennox". Complex. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan On 'Heaux Tales'". NPR.
  15. ^ Leight, Elias (August 28, 2020). "Jazmine Sullivan Returns With Heartbreaking Ballad 'Lost One'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  17. ^ Leight, Elias (November 20, 2020). "Hear Jazmine Sullivan's Swaggering 'Pick Up Your Feelings'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d "Jazmine Sullivan". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  19. ^ Monroe, Jazz (November 30, 2020). "Watch Moses Sumney, Jazmine Sullivan Perform at the 2020 Soul Train Awards". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  20. ^ "Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  22. ^ Early, JT (January 13, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: JAZMINE SULLIVAN – HEAUX TALES". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  23. ^ Murray, Robin (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales". Clash. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  24. ^ Ankrah, Veracia (January 11, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan Explores Love, Sex and Money in the Instagram Age on 'Heaux Tales'". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  25. ^ Ihaza, Jeff (January 12, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan's 'Heaux Tales' is a Nuanced Take on Romantic Realism". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  26. ^ a b Conteh, Mankaprr (January 13, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan: Heaux Tales Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  27. ^ Hull, Tom (June 14, 2021). "Music Week". Tom Hull on – the Web. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  28. ^ Jones, Marcus; Enis, Eli; Suskind, Alex (January 8, 2021). "Friday Five: Duran Duran's Bowie tribute, Zayn's bedroom vibes, and more". EW. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  29. ^ Okon, Wongo (January 11, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan's 'Heaux Tales' Fights Social Norms While Flaunting Sexual Liberation". Uproxx. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan unspools her 'Heaux Tales,' NPR Music's album of the year : All Songs Considered". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  31. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Paste. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ Hope, Clover (7 December 2021). "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ^ a b Keith Caulfield (January 17, 2021). "Morgan Wallen's 'Dangerous: The Double Album' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Breaks Country Streaming Record". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  34. ^ a b >Trevor Anderson (January 22, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan's 'Heaux Tales' Tops R&B Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  35. ^ "Heaux Tales - EP : Jazmine Sullivan". Genius. Genius Media Group. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  36. ^ Gooden, Darren (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales Credits and Streams". FreeMusicCredits.com. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  37. ^ "Credits / Jazmine Sullivan". Tidal. January 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  38. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  39. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  40. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  41. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  42. ^ "Top Billboard 200 albums/Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  43. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
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