Striding into Serafina, a midtown New York City restaurant, Jazmine Sullivan, 21, is beaming. “They played my song ‘Need You Bad’ on [WQHT-FM] Hot 97!” she squeals in her gravelly alto. Though Jazmine is barely legal, hearing her singleon the radio has been a long time coming. Six years ago, the songstress was signed to Jive Records at 15 years old—and dropped by the time she was 17. Now she’s the pride of J Records and of champion Missy Elliott. “Missy is my biggest fan,” says Jazmine, sporting a khaki fedora. “I sang for her when I was younger, and she worked on my project at Jive. She’s always been supportive.”
Raised in North Philadelphia, Jazmine grew up in a two-parent household, the middle sister between two brothers. When she was 5 years old, her father landed a position as a curator for the city’s Strawberry Mansion, and her family moved into the historical landmark, where they lived rent free. Meanwhile, Jazmine struggled to assimilate at school. “I did not want to be different,” says the singer. “But everything about me was—I lived in a mansion in the ghetto, and I was self-conscious about my voice.”
But Jazmine eventually made music her saving grace. Discovered during neo-soul showcases at Philly’s famed Black Lily, Jazmine never quite meshed with Jive’s predominantly pop roster. She got the bad news after a performance. “My mom called me downstairs and said, ‘They dropped you,’’’ she recalls. “I didn’t want to cry because I knew she’d start, but when I went upstairs, them tears started trickling down.”
Though Jazmine felt like a failure, she kept recording with producers like Anthony Bell, sending out demos to labels. A rep from J heard her wrenching “In Love With Another Man,” and soon Jazmine found redemption with legendary record man Clive Davis, chief creative officer at Sony BMG. “He loved me…and I loved him, too,” says Jazmine. Now, the optimist has completed most of her as-yet-untitled debut with producers Salaam Remi, Stargate, Jack Splash, and Missy, among others. She promises that it’ll be a jukebox spinning everything from pop to reggae. “My first album is [like] most people’s fourth, where they’re comfortable experimenting,” says Jazmine. “I’m not scared to try anything.”
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Comments
1.
reny says:
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you are good
September 29, 2008 at 8:16 am
2.
shaemonique says:
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da girl's album is off the chain every song is a potential hit her voice is AMAZING DA GIRL CAN SANG!!!!!! her song writing skills is TIGHT dis girl got a long career ahead of her she will be getting some grammy's next year XCELLANT DEBUT ALBUM, i can really relate to sum off da songs she went HOME with it i cant wait to hear/see more of dis gurl!!!! SHE IS ON HER WAY TO STARDOM
September 22, 2008 at 7:54 pm
3.
schmekadlegr says:
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I think the song is great and the down home feel of the video makes her look real sophisticated. It has a nice meaning to it, you know getting in your spot and all of the other good shit love brings.
August 2, 2008 at 8:57 pm
4.
allykat says:
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hey i saw in the vibe magazine i think ??
but girl me and my girlfriends love ur song your voice is amazing they be bumpin' you on v-103 in Ga . we love it at the end when it say " Me cant eat, me cant sleep" but keep doing what you do !!ally
July 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm
5.
MzShortyP says:
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Jessica "Mz Shorty P" Abraham of Shorty Produkshins is named Executive Producer of five Summer Projects internationally released from the SandStreet Music/ Murphy Boyz Entertainment Label. Sands Street is also part of Bungalo/ Universal Music Group. She was brought in by Five-Time Platinum Selling, Grammy Award Winners, Burn 'N' Bush AKA The Newton Twins to become the Executive Producer on this project. So, make sure you check out the following projects:
Two of Five Current Releases Include:
The Burn 'N' Bush Sessions with single release by Jazmine Sullivan.
Burn 'N' Bush are the brains and souls of this project. The Newton Twins are the embodiment of this production duo and at it again with the Burn 'N' Bush Sessions. Burn 'N' Bush is known primarily with the work they have done with Lauryn Hill, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, John Legend and other respected artists in the industry. They are also 5-time Platinum Grammy Award Winners. Burn 'N' Bush Sessions make you want to just lay on your bed, your couch, or sit in your car to listen to this project over and over. This is the first single off of the album to follow, including singles from J. Michael and Jazmine Sullivan.
Jazmine is known for the recent, Reggae-inspired release featuring Missy Elliot, entitled "Need U Bad." If you think that this girl could sing that song, you need to hear her in this soulful single that is a sure hit, entitled "Season 2 Love." It is available for purchase in the following Online music stores:
Itunes LaLa Shockhound Rhapsody Amazon MP3 Groupie tunes eMusic Napster
July 21, 2008 at 8:48 am
6.
shli says:
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Having many men's attention at her walks, she's seeking for a tall man to be the BF . Is that ture ? I have been shared her inner expression on this hot site Tallloving. C O M with my tall friends.Sounds increidable......
July 16, 2008 at 10:13 am
7.
ddwash14 says:
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i love ur song gurl u can sang just keep up the good work ull make it big just wait n pray
July 11, 2008 at 10:57 am
8.
blackbfly says:
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Thank you for putting this story out. As soon as I read it, I looked up her music. Her voice is so beautiful. I like it ,it is rich n soulful. I'm so happy you guys put me on 2 her music. Now I'm upset that I have to wait till November for her cd to drop.
July 4, 2008 at 10:54 pm
9.
MissBruce says:
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So when is her album dropping??? I've been lookin all over for a date, but have yet to find one.....
June 30, 2008 at 4:10 pm
10.
Exquisite1 says:
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I love her confidence and her new song
June 30, 2008 at 7:50 am
11.
basantniru says:
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oh really very nice
June 30, 2008 at 7:36 am
12.
quietstorm says:
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Love love love Jazmine.. much success to you. I've been waiting a looooooooooooong time for this album.
June 13, 2008 at 8:06 am