Friday, 23 November 2012

Original Article draft

Jazmine Sullivan has enjoyed what most of us could only ever dream of. still riding the wave of her last album success going platinum worldwide, she's been back in the studio working on her second album which is soon to be released. Soul Train has managed to interrupt her busy schedule and get an exclusive interview with the sultry songstress. Dressed in fitted blue jeans and a cream cashmere sweater complimented with her hair worn loose in her signature spirals curls, Jazmine Sullivan is the epitome of soulful harmony. She's relaxed and greets us with a smile as we sit down to talk about her new album, life as a soul artist and with her upcoming tour.

Describe your album in three words
Heart-rending, intense and powerful

What’s the name of this album and why did you named it this?
This album is called Us Against the World. I was in the studio one day writing lyrics for my album, I really hadn’t thought of an album name and so while I was writing I had deep feeling as I wrote down “and no one could ever take that away, Nothing could come between us” this made me feel like as if I was going against the world. That’s when I realised what my album should be called.

What was your inspiration for creating this album?
I think first of all I wanted to continue writing about my personal life and relating it to the listener. Then on a second thought I didn't want to be like my first album so I decided to listen to other pupil’s story and turn that into lyrics. So overall the inspiration really came from people that I spoke to for example I think who inspired me on this album was people. It's like every person’s story is something for us to cherish so I wanted to get it out there in a music way and influence people and for them to be proud.

Could you give us a background of Us Against the World?
Us Against the World is a storyline where each track has a story which is connected to the next. I dedicate this album to my fans because they are the ones who helped me fight my way to the top since there are all these mainstream singers and I’m different from them. It's really hard to make it to the top especially when you’re labelled as a soul artist. If you think about it there are so many soul artists but there’s only a small amount of known soul artist.

What track are you going to release as your first single?
This is the part where you have to wait for single to come out, it's a surprise. In this album are you collaborating with anyone? To be honest, I don't want to tell! I’ll just give you small clues. So in this album there will be collaboration with Maxwell and Lauryn Hill. I might be collaborating with J.COLE.

Will this album be different to your first album?
Well, I guess it will be a mixture because my first album was all about my personal life but in this album there will be one or two tracks which are personal and the others tracks will be in third person.

What’s the hardest part about this music industry?
I guess that when you’re a singer you have so many things to do; you have to work nearly 24/7. Travelling to different countries for interviews, it’s not as easy as you think it is but I guess it’s worth it because you put so much effort and hard work to be successful.

Have you always enjoyed the art of soul music?
Yes, because my whole life I’ve been brought up listening to Motown which has amazing soul artist, they influenced me in many ways. They were my childhood, especially that because Motown music was so real, it's not like music now we have in this generation.

Is it hard to separate your work life and personal life?
I suppose it is because these days my schedule is fully booked up and then there's time when you want to do something else it just clashes with my music life, it's really hard when I want to take a break but I guess that wanting to be a singer I need to go through this certain stage. It's difficult to try and get free time; it makes it hard for me to visit my family. It’s even difficult for me to use my phone trying to contact my family and see how they are. Really my life right now is based in the studios, I’m mostly spending my time in the studio recording but then I guess it's for my album. Maybe after my album is released I will hopefully love some free time and just carry on with my personal life. When I get time off I try to spend it wisely.

Will this album have a tour?
Yes there will be a tour for this album but there's a long way to go...for this tour to happen.

Why did you take this career path?
I’ve always loved singing but I wasn’t passionate about becoming a singer until I reached 14, With the music that was out that time I wanted something different because music at that time was on repeat nothing special, so I wished for something different and from then I thought to myself what if I could try to change music and so from then on I started to write my own songs, One day I got signed by Columbia Records and started my journey from there all the way up to where I am now.

Who would you want to work with in the future?
I’d love to work with Adele, her voice is just beautiful and she’s such a great artist, which is passionate with her music. She would definitely be one that I’d love to work with.

A lot of people compare you to Jennifer Hudson, what do you think about that?
Oh really? Well Jennifer is a great singer, she’s very talented, she has a wonderful voice, but then I guess there’s no comparison because we are different, she’s more of a mainstream artist and I am soulful. However I feel honoured because she’s an true amazing real artist.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Will you still be singing? That’s a good question, I really haven’t thought about it because I’m so busy making the most of it now and in 5 years time is quite far away but I guess I will still be in this music career, I don’t think I can ever put an end to my singing career, I really love what I’m doing. Hopefully in 5 years time I’ll still be singing.

Anything you would want to say to your amazing fans?
Yes, thank you so much! I love you guys so much, I’m really grateful to have you guys to support me, thank you.

It was a delight talking to Jazmine Sullivan, she’s a gifted person who’s is down to earth. She’s very passionate with her music life. She cherishes everything that she has. This album will be soon to be released. There hasn’t been a confirmation date yet.  

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