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- Love of the culture
- Jan 20, 2021
- 3 min read
A well-executed project! Jazmine Sullivan does not miss.
Heaux Tales is the new EP from Jazmine Sullivan. The 14 track project is a collection of songs and spoken-word interludes from different women sharing their experiences and insights into love and Sex. The production and instruments are stripped back with a mellow flow which mirrors the vibe of many songs on the EP, this drives the narrative along, making it the focal point of the project. The titled EP reads (Heaux as Ho) embodying the intimate and rawness of the EP. The first song is called Bodies which sets the tone of the entire project as Jazmine delves into self reflection.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate Jazmine's vocal range.....
The project has some amazing features, one being with Ari Lennox (a collaboration you didn’t know you needed until they put it ’On It’). I don't know about you but I do love a good storytime with Ari. Ari's tale had me pondering on who 'Put it Down' and made our good sis contemplate ruining her career and depriving us of good music? (I'm asking for a friend).
The two ladies strip it back in the track On It to create a more intimate, inviting experience by taking a more smooth and sensual approach. Other features include Anderson.Paak with the song 'Pricetag' which I believe has one of the best hooks in the project, It reminded me of early hip hop infused with robust vocals.
The vocals in this projects is comprise with undoubtedly the best female R&B singers today, with H.E.R in 'Girl Like Me' and Ari Lennox. All three women are truly doing bits and are all icons and will be around for a long time.
The EP is a conversation starter, touching on many points, many of which contradicts one another. There’s no linear message, the project branches out, presenting multiples lenses and food for thought. Antoinette’s Tale explores the idea that women should have agency over their bodies and have the rights to do whatever they want. On the flip side in Donna's Tale states that for the most part women still use their bodies to get what they want even in marriages. While some women may feel empowered through sex, there are others who are left feeling Insecure. That’s what makes Heaux Tales so captivating, it offers different female perspectives that many listeners can relate to. Modern day R&B is heading in a direction where female artists are given the freedom to express themselves unapologetically without the disapproval of men. The days of men thinking they have rights to a woman's body are over! 'Don't forget to come and Pick Up Your Feelings’
In Precious’ Tale, the young woman shares how her childhood impacted how she perceives life, love and relationships and will not settle with a man that does not meet her financial expectations. Don't be mad at a woman who knows her worth. We all perceive love and relationships differently, our mindset steams from different things such as past relationships to personal experiences and traumas. Jazmine is in-tuned with modern day relationships, each track acts as window into women's mind and their realities.
Overall the tales and songs in this EP are presented in a way that is non judgemental and are not over looked. They all have an equal standing, even though not all women may aspire to certain ideals addressed in some of the songs. Jazmine takes a mature and thoughtful approach with no negative connotation or bias point of view. The EP is about acceptance and feeling liberated which is reflected in Jazmine's vocal range and ad libs as she floats between different tones while maintaining a soulful tempo making each song unique and addictive. The stories are brought to life with Jazmine's raw singing approach. She details a person's life experiences and their thought process that stretches far beyond just merely existing but acknowledging different perspectives and bringing them to life.
If you haven’t already check out Jazmine Sullivan's EP Heaux Tales
