Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine was raised and born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pam the mother of Jazmine has been a back-up singer who was a part of Philadelphia International Records. Her father gave her a job as the curator for the Historic Strawberry Mansion. She along with her family relocated to the historical landmark. The 2005 graduate of Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in which she was the vocal music instructor. Sullivan started singing as a contralto children's choir, then after a couple of years, she joined the adult group. Sullivan received little exposure to secular music. She recalls when she was eleven when someone requested her to sing in a solo at the church. The singer wasn't yet ready for. "Then McDonald's offered a competition to kids from cities. After that, I was given the opportunity to perform Accept What God Allows on It's Showtime Apollo. My audience was very welcoming." She performed alongside Stevie Wonder at his grandson's birthday party at 13. Sullivan was 15 when she at the time, signed her first contract with Jive Records. The label initially signed Sullivan to Jive Records around the age of 15. She was the producer of an entire album. However, this album didn't get released. Sullivan was eventually removed from the label. Missy Elliott was her producer for several tracks from her first album. Among them "Backstabbers" by Timbaland the track that Elliott wrote, is a significant moment in their partnership.