Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine was born and raised within Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pam her mother, who is Jazmine's mom, was a backing vocalist for Philadelphia International Records. As a child the father of her was appointed to be Philadelphia's Historic Strawberry Mansion curator. Her family later moved to the historic mansion. In 2005 she graduated from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in the class of a vocal music major. Sullivan began her singing career as a contralto with the children's choirand just a couple of years later, in the adult choir. Sullivan was not exposed to secular music. She relates that she was eleven when someone asked her to sing solos in church. However, she was not quite ready to go. In the following year, McDonald's held a contest with children from large cities. I was allowed to perform "Accept what God allows" in the show Showtime At the Apollo. And the audience was very supportive. Stevie Wonder sang her part at his 13th birthday. Sullivan, at age 15 began her career with Jive Records. Sullivan was initially signed by Jive Records around the age of 15. She recorded an entire album. However, this album was never released. Sullivan was then removed off the record label. She maintained a working relationship with Missy Elliott, who produced many of the tracks in her debut album such as the brash single "Backstabbers" which was produced by Timbaland and composed by Elliott.