Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Sullivan is a native of and was raised from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother Pam is a former vocalist for the backup band of Philadelphia International Records. When she was 5 years old, her father was offered an appointment as the curator at Philadelphia's Historic Strawberry Mansion in the Strawberry Mansion section, and her family moved into the historic landmark. In 2005, she graduated from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts with singer-music major. Sullivan was first singing in the kids' chorus in the contralto position, and then she joined the adult choir just a couple of years further on. Sullivan did not get exposed to the world of secular music for the first time. "I was singing for the first time solo in the church, and someone asked me to commit to a gospel record at the age of 11. However, I was not ready to do that," she says. Then, McDonald's held a contest that was open to children living in cities. I was able to perform "Accept What God Allows" in the show Showtime At the Apollo. And the public was extremely supportive. She was just 13 when she sang with Stevie Wonder for his grandson's birthday celebration. Sullivan was initially signed to Jive Records at the age fifteen. There, she recorded an entire album, but the album never came out. Sullivan was eventually dropped from the label. She maintained a working relationship with Missy Elliott she produced several tracks on her debut album, which included the hit single "Backstabbers" that was written and produced by Timbaland and written by Elliott.