Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine an Sullivan, born in and was raised within Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother Pam was a vocalist for the backup band of Philadelphia International Records. At the age of five the father of her was appointed as Philadelphia's Historic Strawberry Mansion curator. The family then moved to the historic mansion. The 2005 graduate from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in which she was a vocal music major. Sullivan was a contralto in the children's choir . Later in the years later she joined as an adult in the choir. Sullivan received little exposure to secular music. She recalls when she was 11 when someone wanted her to sing as a soloist in church. But, she wasn't fully ready. "Then McDonald's offered a competition to kids from cities. In the end, I got the opportunity to perform Accept What God Allows on It's Showtime Apollo. My audience was very welcoming." Stevie Wonder sang her part on his birthday, 13 years old. Sullivan was first signed to Jive Records at the age 15. When she was 15 she signed with Jive Records. She recorded an complete album, but it wasn't released. Sullivan was ultimately dropped from the record label. They maintained a friendship with Missy Elliott, who produced many of the tracks in her debut album which included the hit single "Backstabbers" that was written and produced by Timbaland and written by Elliott.