Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine was born and raised within Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pam, Jazmine's mother, is a former backing singer in the band Philadelphia International Records. When she was five her father was selected as the city's Historic Strawberry Mansion curator. Their family eventually moved into this historic building. In 2005 she graduated from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts as majoring in vocal music. Sullivan began singing as a contralto in the children's choirand a few years later in the adult choir. Sullivan did not get exposed to secular music until he was a teenager. "I began singing in solos in church, and somebody suggested I sign up for a gospel recording when I turned 11. But I wasn't prepared to do that," she says. "Then the time came that McDonald's held a contest for kids in major cities I was invited to sing 'Accept What God Does' on Showtime at the Apollo and the audience responded really well". Stevie Wonder sang her part at his 13th birthday. Sullivan was initially signed to Jive Records at the age fifteen. In Jive Records, she made an entire album. However, the album wasn't released. Sullivan was ultimately removed from the record label. Missy Elliott was her producer for some songs on her debut album. The track "Backstabbers" performed by Timbaland that Elliott created, is the high point of their relationship.