A brief timeline of some of Sullivan's musical accomplishments is enough to make any artist blush. At 11, she made her national television debut on Showtime at the Apollo, where she sang "Accept What God Allows". At 13, she was asked to sing at the birthday party for musical legend Stevie Wonder. Of their meeting, she says, "When you meet Stevie Wonder, its a great feeling," before adding, "I was young though, so I didn't understand it until I got older. I started thinking like, 'Oh my God! I sang with Stevie Wonder when I was like 13.'" That was only the beginning. She began wowing audiences with her live sets in her hometown of Philadelphia at the popular Black Lily, where artists such as Jill Scott, Musiq, Kindred the Family Soul and Floetry performed before they became national recording acts. Shortly after her jaw-dropping performances, she was signed to Jive Records personally by the former president of the label, Clive Calder, where she began working on her debut album with the likes of heavyweight producers Missy Elliott, Timbaland and production duo Cool & Dre to name a few.

While she awaited her current record deal (with Clive Davis' J Records), her name has been on background credits for Fantasia's "Free Yourself" and songwriting credits for two tracks off of Christina Milian's next album, including the Cool & Dre produced first single "Say I", which features Young Jeezy. Her debut single for J Records is entitled "Need U Bad" and has generated a lot of buzz, and has definitely amped the anticipation for her forthcoming album, for her longtime fans, and new converts alike.

Entry May 9, 2009

Born: Apr 9, 1987 in Pennsylvania

Genre: Pop

Styles: Urban, Contemporary R&B

Biography

Contemporary R&B rising star Jazmine Sullivan spent several years learning the ropes of the recording industry before signing to J Records and making her solo recording debut in 2008 with "Need U Bad."

The Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter began her career at a young age, making her national television debut on Showtime at the Apollo at age 11 and signing to Jive Records at age 15. Her stint at Jive Records only lasted a couple years, however, and she was dropped by the label before any recordings were released. In the wake of this disappointment, she began working behind the scenes, for instance working with Missy Elliott on productions for Fantasia's debut album, Free Yourself (2004), and writing a couple songs for Christina Milian's third album, So Amazin' (2006), including the hit single "Say I." Sullivan was then offered a solo recording contract with J Records, which released her debut single, "Need U Bad," featuring and co-produced by Missy Elliott, in 2008. Fearless, her full-length album debut, featuring productions by Salaam Remi and Stargate, among others, was issued that September. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide (SJK)

Jazmine Marie Sullivan (born April 9, 1987) is an American R&B and soul music singer and songwriter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also the protégé of rapper Missy Elliott. Her debut single "Need U Bad" reached number one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while her second single, "Bust Your Windows" peaked at number four. Elements of reggae, dub, pop, jazz, Neo soul and doo-wop can be heard in her work. Sullivan cites singers Kim Burrell, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, and Brandy Norwood as her biggest influences and inspirations.