Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Jazmine, who is Philadelphia native was born and raised there. Pam her mother, who is Jazmine's mom, is an ex-backing singer with Philadelphia International Records. Her father offered her the position of curator at the Historic Strawberry Mansion. She together with her family then relocated into the landmark. In 2005 she was a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts with a major in vocal music. Sullivan started singing in children's chorus as a contralto after which she was a part of the adult chorus just a few years afterwards. Sullivan had limited exposure to secular music. She recalls that she was just 11 years old when a person asked her to sing solos in church. The singer wasn't yet ready for. "Then McDonald's offered a competition that was open to kids in cities. The contest gave me the chance to perform What God Allows on It's Showtime Apollo. My audience was very accommodating." Stevie Wonder sang her part during his 13th birthday celebration. Sullivan aged 15 at the time, signed her first contract with Jive Records. There, she recorded an entire album. But the album wasn't released. Sullivan was eventually dropped from the label. She maintained a working relationship with Missy Elliott she produced some of the songs on her debut album, including the buzz single "Backstabbers" which was produced by Timbaland and written by Elliott.