Jazmine Sullivan is back, and she’s sharing a new single titled “Tragic!”
Best known for her 2008 hit classic “Bust Your Windows,” the singer/songwriter announced the track release on Tuesday (June 22).
Sullivan took to Instagram to announce the single and posted a video titled “Pillow Talk.” The clip features the artist and her friends in a discussion about intimacy; this was the big theme of her last album, Heaux Tales.
“Continuing the conversation around Heaux Tales with some of my dope friends, old and new,” she writes.
The number begins with spoken dialogue, some of which was featured in her Instagram “Pillow Talk” clip. The moment is used to provide exposition for the story of the song – a lover who continues to disappoint Sullivan over and over. The singer’s velvety voice is complimented with soft background vocals. The entire ensemble is paired with a deep baseline and slow glide. The lyrics are built around the phrase “reclaiming my time.” The phrase, which became a meme in 2017, references California Congresswoman Maxine Waters who used it to cut off Secretary Treasurer Steve Mnuchin when he was stalling during a 2017 deposition. By including it in her number, Sullivan takes her song to a deeper level.
In an interview with Essence‘s Issa Rae, the singer discussed her writing process, explaining that “before now, [she] had really just been concerned about expressing [herself] and getting [her] story out there—and people have connected to that.”
“But for this project, it was important for me to share the stories of the women I love and hold dear to my heart. I feel like they are just as banging and dynamic as me. And I want to give space and opportunity to women, period…” she continues. The Instagram clip was proof of this message, as she created a space for her friends to share their experiences.
2021 has been a good year for Sullivan. Following Heaux Tales’ release, Sullivan performed a “Tiny Desk (Home) Concert,” sang the national anthem alongside Eric Church at Super Bowl LV, and more. This Sunday, she will perform at the 2021 BET Awards, where she is nominated for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Album of the Year for Heaux Tales.
Take a listen to “Tragic” below and tell us what you think of it by reacting at the bottom of the post or tweeting us @celebsecrets.
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