Heaux Tales

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Heaux Tales
The front cover of Jazmine Sullivan's EP 'Heaux Tales'
EP by
Jazmine Sullivan
ReleasedJanuary 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)
Genre
Length32:21
LabelRCA
Producer
  • Key Wane
  • DZL
  • Cardiak
  • Kevin "Wu10" Wooten
  • Jairus "JMO" Mozee
  • Dev Hynes
  • Dave "Pop" Watson
  • Dilemma
  • Joe Logic
  • Gee
  • Uforo "Bongo ByTheWay" Ebong
Jazmine Sullivan chronology
Reality Show
(2015) 		Heaux Tales
(2021)
Singles from Heaux Tales
  1. "Lost One"
    Released: August 28, 2020
  2. "Pick Up Your Feelings"
    Released: November 20, 2020 (2020-11-20)
  3. "Girl Like Me"
    Released: January 6, 2021 (2021-01-06)

Heaux Tales is the first extended play (EP) by American R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. It was released by RCA Records on January 8, 2021. Its release date was confirmed on December 2, 2020. Described as Sullivan's "fourth and bleakest album",[2] it is her first release since 2015's critically-acclaimed Reality Show. It includes features from Ari Lennox, Anderson .Paak, and H.E.R.[3] The EP was primarily recorded in Sullivan's Philadelphia home.[4]

While an extended play,[4] it has also been variably identified as a "concept album"[5] and "schematic, a successor to didactic concept albums like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill".[2] Structurally, six "spoken word interludes"[5] "are followed by songs that flesh them out as character studies". The themes explored include feminism, sexuality, classism, and body-shaming among other lyrical topics supported by narrative interludes between each song.[2] The project has received critical acclaim. It won Album of the Year at the 2021 BET Awards.[6]

Background[]

Since establishing her recording career in 2008, Sullivan has been known to take long hiatuses between releases.[7][8][9][10] According to Revolt, Sullivan explained the inspiration behind the project in a video:[7]

"Heaux Tales is about my observation of today's women standing in their power and owning who they are — No longer is male patriarchy dictating what it means to be a 'good girl.' The truth is, women of all ages have been called a 'heaux' at some point in life, whether deserved or not, by some man trying to put us in our place; a place designed to keep us under control, out of the way and usually beneath them. [...] We all have a journey to make and it's our choice alone how we get there."

Complex magazine reports that Dev Hynes, Key Wane, DZL, and others contributed to the production on the project.[11] The promotional rollout for Heaux Tales included the premiere of her installment of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts series on January 8, 2021.[9] Sullivan stated in an interview with NPR Music, "particularly on this project, I was influenced by a few women today that I felt like were busting through those barriers and helping me to feel more confident in who I am," citing artists Cardi B and Lizzo.[12]

Singles[]

The first single, an acoustic ballad titled "Lost One", was released August 28, 2020 and peaked at number 9 on Billboard's US Hot R&B Songs.[13][14] The second single was "Pick Up Your Feelings", released November 20, 2020.[15] In place of a traditional music video, RCA Records released a live acoustic performance.[7] The song has since reached number 1 on Billboard's Adult R&B Airplay Chart and number 9 on the R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart.[16] The song also peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100.[16] Both singles were performed on BET during the Soul Train Music Awards on November 29, 2020.[17] Sullivan released her third single, "Girl Like Me", featuring H.E.R., on January 6, 2021, marking the first time she has ever duetted with a woman on one of her own recordings.[10] The song debuted and peaked at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 29 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs.[16] "On It," featuring Ari Lennox, also peaked at number 40 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop and R&B/Hip-Hop airplay charts despite not being released as a single.[16]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic83/100[18]
Review scores
SourceRating
Beats Per Minute80%[19]
Clash8/10[20]
Exclaim!8/10[21]
Rolling Stone4/5 stars[22]
Pitchfork8.6/10[23]
Tom Hull – on the WebB+ ((1-star Honorable Mention))[24]

Heaux Tales received a score of 83 out of 100 from review aggregate site Metacritic based on seven reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[18] Vulture lauded its displays of women's strength as seen in its "interludes [with] women like fellow singer Ari Lennox talking about femininity and sexual empowerment."[10] Alex Suskind of Entertainment Weekly called the project "a punchy concept album that tackles blissful romance, sexual freedom — and the complex moments that arise between."[25] Bobby Carter of NPR hailed it "a bold and timely conversation piece addressing truths regarding relationships, sex, social norms, self-worth and a myriad of other topics that women grapple with."[9] Wongo Okon of Uproxx praised it for casting "a light on the goalpost-shifting standards of this patriarchal society" while holding "the characteristics to be labeled a classic in the future."[26] Mankaprr Conteh of Pitchfork gave the EP the site's Best New Music distinction.[23]

Commercial performance[]

Heaux Tales debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 43,000 album-equivalent units (including 7,000 copies as pure album sales) in its first week, according to MRC Data.[27] This became Sullivan's second US top-ten album and her highest-charting album in the US.[27] The album also debuted at number one on the US Top R&B Albums and number two on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[28] It also accumulated a total of 46 million on-demand streams of the project's songs that week.[28]

Track listing[]

Heaux Tales track listing[29][30]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bodies (Intro)"
Key Wane2:01
2."Antoinette's Tale"Antoinette HenrySullivan0:37
3."Pick Up Your Feelings"
  • Audra Mae Butts
  • Denisia "Blu June" Andrews
  • Kyle Coleman
  • Brittany "Chi" Coney
  • Sullivan
  • Michael Holmes
DZL3:49
4."Ari's Tale" (performed by Ari Lennox)Ari LennoxSullivan0:49
5."Put It Down"
  • Jason Vaughan
  • Weir II
  • Sullivan
Key Wane3:21
6."On It" (featuring Ari Lennox)
3:25
7."Donna's Tale"
  • Donna Anderson
  • Cheryl White
  • Anitra Sasser
Sullivan1:10
8."Pricetags" (featuring Anderson .Paak)
J.Mo4:23
9."Rashida's Tale"Rashida NorthingtonSullivan1:00
10."Lost One"
  • Sullivan
  • Dave Watson, Jr.
Dave "Pop" Watson2:58
11."Precious' Tale"Precious DaughtrySullivan0:43
12."The Other Side"
  • Dan Thomas
  • Matt Wong
  • Joe Gallagher
  • Sam Wishkoski
  • Sullivan
  • JoeLogic
  • Gee
  • Dilemma
3:37
13."Amanda's Tale"Amanda HendersonSullivan0:37
14."Girl Like Me" (featuring H.E.R.)
  • Sullivan
  • H.E.R.
  • Tarron Crayton
  • Uforo Ebong
Bongo ByTheWay3:44
Total length:32:21

Personnel[]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[31]

Musicians

  • Jon L. Smith – bass (1)
  • Antoinette Henry – vocals (1)
  • Ari Lennox – vocals (4 and 6)
  • Donna Anderson – vocals (7)
  • Anitra Sasser – vocals (7)
  • Cheryl White – vocals (7)
  • Rashida Northington – vocals (9)
  • Jermaine Blandford – bass (11)
  • Precious Daughtry – vocals (11)
  • Sam Wishkoski – strings (12)
  • Amanda Henderson – vocals (13)

Technical

  • Jazmine Sullivan – executive producer
  • Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
  • Erik Madrid – mixing engineer (1–3, 5, 6)
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing engineer (8, 10, 14)
  • Chris Galland – mixing engineer (8, 10, 14)
  • Joe Gallagher – mixing engineer (12), engineer (1–3, 5, 8–10, 12, 14)
  • Justin Miller – engineer (1–3, 5, 8–10, 12, 14)
  • Ben Thomas – engineer (2, 3, 9, 10)
  • Owen Modamwen – engineer (6)
  • Dave Watson – engineer (6)
  • Jhair "JHA" Lazo – engineer (8)
  • Miki Tsutsumi – engineer (14)
  • Dave "Pop" Watson– recording engineer (9)
  • Aaron Mattes – assistant engineer (1–3, 5)
  • Jeremie Inhaber – assistant engineer (8, 10, 14)
  • Scott Desmarais – assistant engineer (8, 10, 14)
  • Alex Pyle – assistant engineer (14)

Charts[]

Chart performance for Heaux Tales
Chart (2021) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[32] 79
US Billboard 200[33] 4
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[34] 2
US Top R&B Albums (Billboard)[35] 1

References[]

  1. ^ Adhya, Arpita (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan 'Heaux Tales': Tracklist, how to stream and all you need to know about album with HER, Ari Lennox". Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Pareles, Jon (January 7, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan Ponders Love and Materialism on 'Heaux Tales'". New York Times. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  3. ^ Murray, Robin (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales". Clash. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Owens, Cassie (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan speaks on her struggles, spiritual growth, and her sultry new release, 'Heaux Tales'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Sacher, Andrew (January 8, 2021). "Notable Releases of the Week". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  6. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (2021-06-27). "BET Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c DJ First Class (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan tells some 'Heaux Tales' in her new project". Revolt. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  8. ^ Folk, Antwane (January 6, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan Shares Track List for 'Heaux Tales,' Releases New Song 'Girl Like Me' Featuring H.E.R." Rated R&B. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c Carter, Bobby (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert". NPR. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c Curto, Justin (January 8, 2021). "'Girl Like Me' is the Heart of Jazmine Sullivan's Heaux Tales". Vulture. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  11. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (January 9, 2021). "Listen to Jazmine Sullivan's New Project 'Heaux Tales' f/ H.E.R., Anderson .Paak, and Ari Lennox". Complex. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan On 'Heaux Tales'". NPR.
  13. ^ Leight, Elias (August 28, 2020). "Jazmine Sullivan Returns With Heartbreaking Ballad 'Lost One'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  15. ^ Leight, Elias (November 20, 2020). "Hear Jazmine Sullivan's Swaggering 'Pick Up Your Feelings'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Jazmine Sullivan". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  17. ^ Monroe, Jazz (November 30, 2020). "Watch Moses Sumney, Jazmine Sullivan Perform at the 2020 Soul Train Awards". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b "Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  19. ^ Early, JT (January 13, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: JAZMINE SULLIVAN – HEAUX TALES". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  20. ^ Murray, Robin (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales". Clash. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  21. ^ Ankrah, Veracia (January 11, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan Explores Love, Sex and Money in the Instagram Age on 'Heaux Tales'". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  22. ^ Ihaza, Jeff (January 12, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan's 'Heaux Tales' is a Nuanced Take on Romantic Realism". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b Conteh, Mankaprr (January 13, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan: Heaux Tales Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  24. ^ Hull, Tom (June 14, 2021). "Music Week". Tom Hull on – the Web. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  25. ^ Jones, Marcus; Enis, Eli; Suskind, Alex (January 8, 2021). "Friday Five: Duran Duran's Bowie tribute, Zayn's bedroom vibes, and more". EW. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  26. ^ Okon, Wongo (January 11, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan's 'Heaux Tales' Fights Social Norms While Flaunting Sexual Liberation". Uproxx. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b Keith Caulfield (January 17, 2021). "Morgan Wallen's 'Dangerous: The Double Album' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Breaks Country Streaming Record". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b >Trevor Anderson (January 22, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan's 'Heaux Tales' Tops R&B Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  29. ^ "Heaux Tales - EP : Jazmine Sullivan". Genius. Genius Media Group. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  30. ^ Gooden, Darren (January 8, 2021). "Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales Credits and Streams". FreeMusicCredits.com. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  31. ^ "Credits / Jazmine Sullivan". Tidal. January 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  32. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  33. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  34. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  35. ^ ""Jazmine Sullivan Chart History (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
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