On January 8th, the incomparable R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan released an amazing EP titled Heaux Tales, her fourth release since her big break in 2008. Sullivan has been a consistent musical bombshell for well over a decade now, and yet she doesn’t get nearly the amount of recognition she deserves. As a result, I’ve compiled a list of some of Jazmine’s best songs with the hopes of finally bringing a spotlight to her deep cuts and forgotten singles, and to never hear someone say, “I’ve heard of ‘Bust Your Windows’ but I only know the Glee version” again.
Best Ballads:
“Lost One”
In the first single off of Heaux Tales, Jazmine laments about being incapable of letting an ex move on. With the assistance of just a guitar and some beautiful harmonies, there is virtually nothing standing in the way of the poignant lyrics penetrating your core.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObvvP1B1Wuw
“Forever Don’t Last”
Jazmine channels a more folksy sound for this cut, and creates an atmosphere that feels as though you are a traveling cowboy stopping through town and passing a local pub at the very same moment this mysterious young woman is singing about a profoundly difficult break up. If that doesn’t entice you, then you might as well stop reading now.
“Live a Lie”
This song definitely stretches the definition of “ballad” a little too far, but there’s just something about it that keeps the essence of balladry alive. Whether it be the lyrical content, the melody, or the melancholy vocal delivery, it’s a wonderfully packaged song that would have received widespread acclaim had it been released by one of today’s pop superstars.
Best Bops:
“Dumb” feat. Meek Mill
Without a doubt, “Dumb” has to be one of the best album openers of the 2010’s. The choir and intense sound of the drums keeping time, paired with what could be Sullivan’s best melodic achievement to date make for a stunningly cinematic start to an incredible album.
“Holding You Down (Goin’ In Circles)”
I’ll admit, there’s a lot going on with this song--the Missy Elliott producer tag, the Mary J. Blige interpolation, the “La Di Da Di” sample, and that doesn’t even cover half of it. With so many ideas wrapped up in one, however, Jazmine’s voice still manages to come out on top as the dominating force. Not to mention, the track was recently sampled in the Megan Thee Stallion song “Circles,” so it’s pretty much a perfect song in my eyes.
“Brand New”
We can’t forget that Jazmine was an early adopter of the Trap&B sound, especially since she might have been the best to ever attempt the genre. On “Brand New,” she takes down a fictional deadbeat-turned-rap star boyfriend, who ditches her as soon as he hits the big time. She really dragged us to hell with the line, “remember y’all used to take bathroom pics?” In the chorus, no less. She is one of a kind.
Best Bad Bitch Anthems:
“On It” feat. Ari Lennox
A song with sex appeal is the best kind of song. Jazmine and Ari trade off vocal lines like they make up two parts of a threesome, and the production pulls you in so deep that it’s impossible not to feel like you’re their third.
“Mascara”
With yet another songwriting masterclass for the ages, “Mascara” is the perfect commentary on the egotistical lives of carbon copy Instagram models who’s only job in life is to be hot. Nowadays it’s not as easy as it sounds, but back in 2015 everyone and their mother was doing it, and it wasn’t cute.
“Pricetags” feat. Anderson .Paak
“Pricetags” may just be the most relaxed song Jazmine has to offer across her entire discography. Sullivan writes about a relationship that is only kept afloat by her man’s bank account, while Anderson provides the perspective of the suspicious, money-conscious boyfriend. Her delivery is so loose and swaggy that it nearly sounds as though she was just freestyling in the booth one day.
Honorable Mentions:
“Hublots” (+ “Wither,” “Rushes,” “Alabama,” “Solo”)
In 2016, Sullivan teamed up with Frank Ocean on two of the most talked about albums of that year, Endless and Blond. Most of her credits are simple and subtle vocal adds, but on “Hublots,” Frank gives her full reign. Together their artistries are a match made in an understated version of heaven, and if Frank doesn’t retire this year, I hope to see more collabs from them in the future.
Bonus:
“Home”
In 1999, at the age of 11 in her hometown of Philadelphia, Jazmine starred in her middle school production of The Wiz. The performance was recorded for public access, and her rendition of the grand finale masterpiece that is “Home” is one of my favorite pieces of recorded media ever. Maybe it’s because “Home” happens to be one of my favorite songs, maybe it’s the charm of Sullivan’s braces-filled mouth over compensating for her impeded speech, or maybe it’s the uniquely Jazmine-esque runs that you can’t find anywhere else, but I am quick to pull it up whenever I need to be reminded of the good things in life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LwocqYj3f0
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