Review: Jazmine Sullivan - "Reality Show"

Jazmine Sullivan is back in the game after a brief hiatus following her 2010 sophomore release "Love Me Back". After hearing her single "Forever Don't Last", grammatically incorrect though it may be, I was actually looking forward to hearing more from her...and then the album released. *face palm* I have no clue what on God's green Earth I just listened to but I will surely share my pain and suffering with you. Proceed with caution.

Check out this track-by-track review of "Reality Show":

1. "Dumb" (Feat. Meek Mill)

Don't I deserve it all?/You know I take care of you/Whatever you need I'll do/Ungrateful, look how you repay me/Unfaithful, look how you be playin'/With my heart (Oh)/You have no regard/I swear/If you keep on doin' me wrong/You'll look up and I'll be gone 

If this isn't the ain't shit nigga anthem of 2015 I don't know what is. She really teleported back to the "Bust Your Windows" era.

2. "Mascara"

Ummm...ma'am. I read these lyrics like wait...what's happening?

I'm not gonna judge. Bye.

3. "Brand New"

This track gave me allllll the Erykah Badu chills and tease. I was here for the vocals but all the profanity was a bit much for me. And I curse like a sailor. If you're not a rapper it just comes off as crass AF to me but to each his own I guess...

They get it brand new/They get it brand new/This is for all the pretty mommas and the brown ass chicks/Remember you all used to take back on people/And he said if you ever die rich/Get that bitch and beat that shit

4. "Silver Lining"

She stopped cursing and this shit got real boring real fast. Next.

5. "#HoodLove"

I cringe every time she says "nigga". OMG. I can't take it. I would have to agree that this track is hood...

6. "Let It Burn"

You can't have a track called "Let It Burn" after Usher DEMOLISHED his shit and not absolutely SLAY. This song is lowkey a crime against humanity. It's slow, unoriginal, and giving my insomnia a run for it's money. Usher still has the "Let It Burn" crown. I know he over there like

7. "Veins"

All of the slow tracks back to back are giving me "I wish I never took the time to review this" tease...

8. "Forever Don’t Last"

Okay, I reviewed this upon release and I honestly loved it. I was just bitter AF at the fact that she missed a concert that I attended and my review reflected said bitterness. Read it here [review].
 

9. "Stupid Girl"

Boys have toys too/You know they do/They call us stupid girls/They call us stupid girls/And when you love 'em like I do/You'll be a fool/You'll be a stupid girl/You'll be a stupid girl

I just...

10. "Stanley"

I'm in the kitchen/Making the dinner that I know you like/And I be cleaning this damn house all day/And all night/But you don't pay me no attention Stanley/I need your attention babe/Just show some appreciation/And take a bitch to dinner...

If memory serves she said this wasn't a hurt ass THOT album. I believe her words were "colorful". I have heard ne'er a colorful track yet. These are all hurt and pain masked with profanity and hoeism.

11. "Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)"

Finally! A song that showcases her talent. Without a doubt thee BEST song on this album. No debate necessary. I thought that we'd never get here. I'd very nearly given up on her. But this is something that's inspiring and beautiful all in one. YAAASSSSSSSSS JAZMINE! You shed your THOT skin for one track. I appreciate it.

I'm feeling exposed/But I can't hide no more/I can't hide/As the sun shines on all of my glory/My flaws don't look so bad at all/What was I so afraid of?/Every part of me is a vision/of a portrait of Mona/Mona Lisa/Every part of me is beautiful/and I finally see, I'm a work of art/A masterpiece

12. "If You Dare"

Is this even her singing? I'm not understanding. Whatever. Don't even tell me. It matters not. I'm over it.

To be completely honest, this album gave me "K Michelle with vocal training" vibes and that is NOT a compliment. This is not what I expected from Jazmine Sullivan but that's why you should never expect things. Disappointment is the result. I can see why she called it "Reality Show" though. This was "Love And Hip Hop America: The Musical". Live from the projects. Girl bye. And she said, and I quote,  “The songs are really colorful, just about life in general and reality from my eyes.” So you waited five years to discover your inner hood rat? Cool. You could've kept every last bit of this. And to make matters worse she ALSO says, “I’m really proud of it. I worked harder on this album than any album.” I hope Rap Up TV misquoted her because she needs to try again. What I wanted from her was

Dassit. Just give me the vocals. And appropriate lyricism. You had one job Jazmine...

Natasha Marie