This week is beating me up, bellas! And already, it’s Thursday. I’ve got some big writing going on behind the scenes and I’m working on the kind of post that makes me wonder if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. Oh, politics. I’m gonna take my time on this one and chew before I post (if that makes any sense). For right now, I just wanted to share a new song that makes this bella very happy — Hurt U Bad by talented young singer/songwriter Jazmine Sullivan. Longtime readers will recall, I love her and wish I could sing just like her. But unfortunately, my own singing voice is more in the um, T-Boz range of ability.
I heard Jazmine’s new track first back in April on Soulbounce, but the video just dropped recently and I’m officially in love. Check her out!
That track has Afrobella’s playlist written ALL OVER IT. And Missy, don’t think I didn’t spot your fly makeup and earrings in there!
Of course the inevitable Lauryn Hill comparisons are being made, and Jazmine’s voice definitely reminds me of her on this track. But I also hear traces reminiscent of a young Aretha, and her careful patois sounds like it came straight out of the Lady Saw/No Doubt playbook. Jazmine is but 20 years old, and already she’s penned such hits as Fantasia’s “Free Yourself” and Christina Milian’s “Say I.” I’m hoping Need U Bad is a bigger hit for her. She’s got so much potential, and her talent is undeniable. Team Jazmine! I hope you dig this groove on a summer Thursday, bellas and fellas. If you’re digging Jazmine’s sound, click here to watch her blow away the Apollo at age 11, and click here for her MySpace. I love this chick!
Oh, and PS — I’m two for two on my Makeup Inspiration posts! First Chrisette Michele revealed her secrets, and now Missy’s makeup artist, Victor C left a detailed comment of his own!! I was SUPER excited, because he once did my makeup some years ago in Miami and never once name dropped about his famous clients. For Missy, Victor got way into contouring and advanced makeup that I can’t possibly recreate myself, and he used those new MAC Pro Neon Pigments I’m DYING to try, to stencil the stars on Missy’s cheeks. Gorgeous!!
People have been sleeping on Jazmine! I remember first seeing her on Apollo all those years ago, and wondering what happened to her. Last year, I found out (thanks you, Internet!) she had been songwriting and working on her first album. I love her other songs “Braid Your Hair” & “Lovin’ You”, too. When I first heard “Need U Bad”, I knew it was going to cause a sensation. So glad to see another talented, young sista on the scene.
this sister does have talent! i’m not sure if i’m in agreement with all of the lauryn comparisons…idunno to me her voice sounds like a grittier blend of sylena johnson and keshia cole. but at the end of the day, she’s jazmine and no one else.
I’m so glad to see my girl finally get her own vid and shine. I’ve been following her for about 7 years now, and she blew me away back then as a pre/early teen. We all like to keep our fave underground artists to ourselves, but I realize that the world REALLY needs Jazmine. I can’t wait to see her blow up.
O My Stars, that song says it all. I love her voice.(Side bar:I gotta send that out to the locks wearing brother that I let go.) And yes Missy’s makeup is fire!!
I love Jazmine’ voice. I can see the comparisons to Lauren Hill, however her tones remind me of Lalah Hathaway. Either way, she has an awesome voice. And I love the fact that her music is so soulful. I think that our musice has been missing that lately. She was on one of our local radio stations last week and they played a song off her new album called “Lions and Tigers” (I think). OMG! Then she sang it after it stopped playing. Let me tell you, this young sister has some serious talent. I’m definitely all over that CD.
Wow, thanks Bella! I am always glad to discover another real singer.
And you’ve got to love how any new singer with a trace of reggae in her music is automatically compared to Lauren Hill (Jazmine, Estelle). I can hear similarities, but I think it has more to do with lack of exposure. I have completely abandoned listening to the radio since good looks have taken over vocal ability for airplay, so I really need folks like you exposing me to the new real talent.
I am a fan of Jazmine,and I sing along to her on the radio.Jazmine is very talented ,and I hope that she is a success.Another artist who I think is so slept on is Estelle.I like “American Boy”,but “Substitute Love” is my joint.They both have good music,and it’s nice to hear someone other than Beyonce on the radio.
I saw this video over @ Soulbounce and I love her voice and the video. She’s fab. Missy looked good and has lots a ton of weight.
Its funny you mention Jazmine. I was speaking to a friend through facebook messenger and she sent me a link. her voice is lovely. its one of the voices that remind you there are real singers making music. i do like songs with reggae vibes. soulful reggae/dancehall yeah thats nice. its the Jamaican roots in me I guess. Oh yeah you can so tell missy produced this song. It screams missy in a different way
I really love this song…her voice is amazing — it’s so rich and, just, real. I first heard it sometime last month, and when it first came on I turned the station but then something told me to tune back in…and I’m glad I did! I wish her much success in the future because she totally deserves it.
Girl, I love Jazmine too!!! When I hear Need U Bad, I was already a fan before the first chorus! I love her reggae-tone and island flavor! Her voice is melodic! Big ups to Jazmine Sullivan…when does the LP drop?
This is SOOOO my JOINT right now! i had just downloaded it over the weekend before taking a long plane ride…believe me it was played more than once. And whenever i hear it on the radio in my car, I am singing it at the top of my lungs. Thanks for posting the vid ‘Bella and link to her Myspace page. I just read on there that the “Jamaican” verses are Pepa (from Salt-N-Pepa). I wonder why she’s not in the video?
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Oh and ‘Bella, take your time with the politics post. I, too, am really burnt out on all of it. like really just done with it all and we still have 4 months until the election:(
Jazmine Sullivan is a beautiful sister! I look forward to hearing more from/about her. Bless your heart on the TBoz voice range. 🙂
I love Need U Bad! Jazmine Sullivan was just in my area this past weekend performing at a free concert. I was so pissed I had to miss it. 🙁
Yes I love Jazmine too. Pretty much anything with a reggae beat is a pure hit for me (most of the time):) Is she from JA or is that someone else speaking on the intro?
Her voice is amazing. One of the tracks she sings “In Love With Another Man” (which can be found on You Tube) sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it. I will definitely buy her album when it is released.
Dear Afrobella,
I love your website, it’s excellent and informative, as well as fun and interesting. I get lots of information about the diaspora, especially the Caribbean. Jazmine Sullivan is off the register. I thought she was Lauryn Hill resurrected when I first heard her, but she is just carrying the torch from where Lauryn left off. I wanted to ask you 2 beauty questions. What color nail polish is Rihanna wearing in her “Take A Bow” video? It’s like a shimmery champagne/beige color. Also do you have any advice for those of us who shave our legs and have very apparent tiny black dots all over our legs from the hair follicles? Is there anything that can be used to get rid of or minimize these. It seems like those of us with darker skin are cursed with this problem. Thanks and keep up the great work with your awesome website.
it is so cool that people respond to your posts! First Chrisette, now Victor C! I’m learning SO much about MAC from these.
When I saw the T-Boz link I guessed (incorrectly) that it’d be to the BET girl-group thing with Alicia Keys and SWV/EnVogue/TLC. T-Boz sounded ROUGH. OStill, oohhh, let there be a be a tour in the making.
Thanks again spotlighting another deserving, slept-on songstress. I love her voice (I agree with ChocolateOrchid re: Lalah), and also the way the track bounces you from the island in the verse to more straight R&B in the chorus and back. Also glad she’s so young. There’s hope, y’all! “Real” singing, it’s not just for old folks (30s, hahah) anymore.
LOVE this song. I can see the comparison to Ms. Hill, but she sounds more gritty. I love her voice and the video is hot!
Awww yeahhh! If she can throw it down like this at 20, I can’t wait to see what she’s doing in 10. I love this. Thanks for spotlighting so many people that I wouldn’t have heard about otherwise…and how exciting is THAT to know that Victor C read that post and responded! I have a makeup question, too, which I’m going to ask before I forget…what’s the best way to put eye makeup on the side with your dominant hand? Like, I’m right-handed, and lining my right eye is a challenge. I do okay, but it’s hard. Do other people have that problem? Or am I just challenged personally? That is a very real possibility. :-]
I love me some Jazmyne Sullivan too. I’m glad she’s doing her thing. Girl can sang. Thanks for the buzz on those MAC pigments.
Another Philly artist bites the dust!!! I love Jazmine and she is just adding to Philly’s neo-soul roster that has been built. She has so much range within her voice. I can’t wait for her album. I hope the world embraces her the way we have been these last couple of years.
Hey Bella…loving the site as always. Just so you know the song is called NEED u Bad…just so ur aware….its all in love. I know it’s been bz week for you….
Fixed. Thanks, Alwayzreal302 — it’s been a crazy week as usual. But I was finally sitting back to enjoy reading all your comments and yours came up right in time for me to edit that. Good lookin out!
Bebroma — good question! It took me years of practice to nail my eyeliner technique, and I have an impossible time putting it on other people as well. I’ll look into that for ya. And Angel — EXCELLENT question. I’ve been gathering some hyperpigmentation info behind the scenes, so I’ll do an Ask Afrobella addressing that soon come. And I’ll find out about Rihanna’s nailpolish — I wonder if it’s a mix of two colors. Off to investigate!
Bella thanks for highlighting her I love Jazmine Sullivan. Check YouTube for her version of Resentment. She puts beyonce’s version to shame. Concrete loop has her other song “I am in love with another man”.
Thanks for posting this Bella. I did a artist spotlight on Jazmine on my blog. I loveeeee her. This girl is veryyy talented. My favorite Jazmine song is Round Midnight. It’s a classic song with the sound of Ella Fitzgerald mixed with Lauryn Hill.
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