The 10 Best Jazmine Sullivan Songs of All-Time
Born and raised as a Philadelphian in Pennsylvania, Jazmine Sullivan grew up with parents that had a museum curator for a father and a former backup singer for a mother. In 2008, at just eleven years old, Sullivan released her first studio album, (Fearless), which received great success and critical acclaim, as well as a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). So far, Sullivan has recorded and released four studio albums, a compilation album, and fifteen singles. With additional work still in production that has yet to be released, Sullivan’s career as an R&B artist that also features some pop and reggae in her material is far from over.
10. Girl like Me (featuring H.E.R)
Jazmine Sullivan’s first extended play release was (Heaux Tales), which became available to the public on January 6, 2021. The single, (Girl like Me) featured the collaborated performance between herself and H.E.R. The guitar-heavy ballad peaked at number ten on the US Billboard R&B Songs chart, and at number twenty-nine on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it charted at number ninety-seven.
9. Excuse Me
Coming from Jazmine Sullivan’s third studio album, (Love Me Back), saw the third of its singles, (Excuse Me), realize chart success in 2011. On the US Billboard Adult R&B R&B Songs chart, it peaked at number twenty-three. The US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charted it at number seventy-one.
8. Lions, Tigers, & Bears
The waltz, (Lions, Tigers & Bears), was the third out of four singles from Jazmine Sullivan’s debut album, Fearless, which was released in 2008. It would be the third time for Sullivan to have one of her songs become a top ten hit as it peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and on the US Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart. The heartfelt play of the violin, matched with Sullivan’s soulful melodic voice, makes Lions, Tigers & Bears one of those songs where it may be difficult to not shed a tear by the time it’s over.
7. 10 Seconds
In 2010, Jazmine Sullivan’s second studio album, Love Me Back, produced the single, (10 Seconds), which peaked at number thirteen on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart, and at number fifteen on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Songs chart and the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Sullivan’s soulful performance of the song as a woman scorned was complimented by the instrumental collection of blues-style guitar, piano, strings, and flute, all of it working harmoniously together as a well-rounded R&B throwback classic.
6. Insecure (featuring Bryson Tiller)
The theme song, (Insecure), belongs to the comedy-drama television series of the same name, which debuted on October 6, 2016, on HBO. Bryson Tiller and Jazmine Sullivan are credited for the performance of the song, which charted as high as number nineteen on the US Billboard Hot R&B Songs, and at number thirty on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs. It also charted at number forty-six on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Songs chart.
5. Let It Burn
Jazmine Sullivan’s third album, (Reality Show,) was released in 2015. The single, (Let It Burn) revolved around the sample music of 1989’s “Ready or Not,” which was performed by After 7. Sullivan’s soulful delivery of the song served as a reflection of a previous relationship she had that fell apart. It is one of her most soulful performances ever produced. On the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart, Let It Burn peaked at number four. On the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Songs chart, it peaked at number forty-six.
4. Holding You Down (Going in Circles)
The first single from Jazmine Sullivan’s second studio album, (Love Me Back), was (Holding You Down (Going in Circles)), which was released in 2010. The song features a number of music samples from the artists of Audio Two, Biz Markie, DJ Kool, Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige, Nas, and Slick Rick. It peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. The US Billboard Hot 100 charted Holding You Down at number sixty. After the original recording of the song’s release, remixes were made that saw collaborated performances from Mary J. Blige, Swizz Beatz, and Rick Ross, each on separate occasions.
3. Bust Your Windows
A mix of Latino flair and tango rhythm was featured in Jazmine Sullivan’s 2008 single, (Bust Your Windows), which was her second single that would realize chart success on the billboards. Coming from her debut album, Fearless, Bust Your Windows peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. In addition to charting at number thirty-one on the US Billboard Hot 100, the single also charted at number fifteen on New Zealand’s Recorded Music Chart and at number sixty-three on the UK Singles Chart. This resulted in Sullivan’s first international hit.
2. Need U Bad (featuring Missy Elliott and Pepa)
The first single Jazmine Sullivan released from her 2008 debut album, Fearless, was (Need U Bad). It was the first time she earned chart-topping success as it peaked at number one on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. On the US Billboard Hot 100, Need U Bad charted at number thirty-seven. The mix of rap and Jamaican chant came from Missy Elliott and Pepa as they collaborated with Sullivan’s reggae-style performance.
1. Pick Up Your Feelings
Jazmine Sullivan’s first extended play (EP), Heaux Tales, (Pick Up Your Feelings) became her first RIAA-certified gold hit after it was released in 2020. On the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, the song peaked at number two. On the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it reached as high as number twenty-seven. The US Billboard Hot 100 charted Pick Up Your Feelings at number seventy-five and New Zealand’s music chart peaked it at number thirty-three. The song received a multitude of award nominations from music recognition organizations such as the American Music Awards, BET Awards, and the Grammy Awards. While the song itself has yet to earn a trophy for itself, it was instrumental in Sullivan earning two wins at the 2021 Soul Train Awards for Best R&B/Soul Female Artist and Album of the Year.
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