Mic Navarro's Corner: Jazmine Sullivan - Reality Show ALBUM REVIEW

It always does my heart good to see some artists put together impressive starts to their career and dodge becoming one hit wonders. Especially with singers because it occurs way too often with rappers. Jazmine Sullivan is one of those whom I'm glad it happened to. When I first heard her in 2008, I knew she wouldn't be a one year wonder and that she'd be around for a while. Her vocals and her words made her a instant stand out. I got a little thing for the female singers with raspy voices and hers is as raspy as it gets. I love it. Her addicting singles also kept her around longer. Most notably "Bust Your Windows", which became the national anthem for fed up women all over the country. With each song and album she releases, she seems to progress more and more. Which gives a bit of anticipation for this. Her third album Reality Show. Now her last album was her 2010 sophomore album Love Me Back. So she's been on a little hiatus these last four years. I had hope that she didn't loose her touch during that time. She didn't. This was an exceptional album from Jazmine Sullivan. What stands out the most on this album is her choice of topics. All the stories and messages she delivers on here are great. This is something she has been good at since day one. Production overall was decent at best. It had it's good points and it had it's bad points. But it's her words that make this album what it is. Dope. Here's the break down:

1. Dumb (featuring Meek Mill)

Here is the first song and single from this album. A very strong one too. The production is filled with a ton of dope percussion. Lots of drums and snares. Props to Key Wane (who handled most of the production) and Salaam Remi here. Topic wise she's just talking about her man underestimating her intelligence. How he's dumb for thinking that she doesn't suspect cheating but she can clearly see it because he's making it obvious. Sounds messy. This song features the albums only guest appearance in Meek Mill. He really didn't do much for the song honestly. I guess a hot beat like this she just had to get a rapper on it. Great single and great way to make a come back after not hearing a single from her since 2010.

2. Mascara

This is third single and honestly I'm glad she made this a single. The song has a message that truly needs to be heard. She's basically talking about the mindset of these young females today. How they go out of their way just to look appealing to the public. Tons of make-up (which the hook mostly talks about), fake body parts, dressing half naked and so on. All just to get attention from men and to get likes/followers on Instagram and Facebook. Only to find out that they really don't live the glamorous life they portray. This is something that I personally am tired of seeing and I'm glad someone addressed it. Especially in the manner that Jazmine addressed it here. A song that truly needed to be heard.

3. Brand New

Here's a song that has a topic than I know many will relate to. In a nut shell, she's talking about how fast people switch up and change once they acquire new fame and money. In this case, from a relationship stand point. How a guy she's dating is an inspiring rapper, but then he finally gets a record deal, starts getting some money and a little bit of fame. Now all of a sudden he doesn't have much time for her and he's always around groupies. I agree with this song so much because money truly does change people and turn into someone you thought they could never become. Production was decent here. I did like how it started out with the saxophone and piano giving it a jazz feel. Then it gets into the uptempo modern day mainstream sound. It's a cool song overall. Not bad.

4. Silver Lining

Jazmine shows off another talent of hers here. Story telling. She tells the story of a single parent that's struggling and is desperate to do anything to provide for their kids. That includes committing a crime like robbery to get money. I've heard many stories like this on the news and it's always sad to hear. You just gotta have faith in God to pull you through tough times and things will come together eventually. You shouldn't have to resort to extreme measures to provide for loved ones. The beat is another piano assisted production. Although it's decent, probably would have preferred a much more calmer and mellow production to match the story being told. Still a decent song nonetheless.

5. #HoodLove

Every dude, thug dude to be specific, would love nothing more than to have a down ass ride or die chick by his side right? That's what this talks about. How she's gonna be by his side through every situation no matter what it is. Even if it's something illegal. Sounds to me like not only does she like these thug types, but she likes a controlling guy. Especially when she starts talking about doing whatever he says. But anyway, the beat is pretty cool. It has this kinda...acoustic indie sound with the drums. Which is a little strange considering the songs content. But this song is cool overall. I like it.

6. Let It Burn

Now here we get a little change of pace topic wise. It sounds like Jaz just fell in love. Like madly in love with this guy and she can't stop thinking about him. She has a few lines here talking about "there's no running when it's your turn", "there's no use in tryin", "you can't get away from love". This gives me the impression that the guy may not be as interested as her and she's just being obsessed and/or a stalker. Boy I'm glad I don't know what that's like. But I'm sure someone does and will definitely relate to this.

7. Veins

Continuing the theme from the previous song, this one talks about the love being so strong that it's like a drug. An addiction that you just can't get rid of. What really sets the stage for this is the little intro of this song which sounds like a clip for either a movie or a TV show (probably TV show considering the album title and theme). Where it sounds like someone is being interviewed about their drug addiction and how when they first pushed it (needle) in their veins it gave them a hug that they never experienced. It wouldn't go. That's basically what Jaz is comparing her emotions too. I know it sounds extremely crazy but there really do act like addicts when it comes to love. It's a strong emotion especially for women and they really can't let it go once it's put in their veins.

8. Forever Don't Last

The second single from the album. I first want to point out the production. Again you hear that acoustic sound this time from strings. Guitars and banjos. Now the topic. You know when you're in love and you tell your partner that you wanna be with them forever, after you already been with them for a very long time? Well, sometimes "forever" isn't what you think it will be. She talks about how when the relationship starts everything is good. You're having fun, you're going out a lot and just enjoying being with each other. Then years later you start growing apart and things just ain't what they used to be. This is so true. Unless you have that strong of a bond with your partner, this is how most relationships end up years and years down the road. Make sure they are "the one" for real before you hit them with "forever".

9. Stupid Girl

Production wise, this is probably the catchiest song on the whole album. It has a big uptempo sound with a whole assortment of instrumentation. The sound it so bold that it sounds like a live performance. Also, she puts an interesting switch on her voice that makes her and the song sound old school. Now what she's talking about is kind along the lines of what "Mascara" was talking about. About how these girls be so in love with their partner, that they just let them treat them wrong and they do nothing about it. How they just walk all over them, cheat on them, yell at them and so on. While she does nothing because she's too in love. I'm sure there are a number of women in this situation right now and if you are then welp, you're exactly what the title of this song says.

10. Stanley

First off, big props to Da Internz for this awesome production. It's a electric uptempo flash dance type of beat. Sounds like 80's pop/dance music. It's very catchy and it alone makes this single worthy. She's seems to be singing about a guy she's with named Stanley who apparently doesn't acknowledge all the good she does for him. She cooks, she cleans, buys him things, pleasures him when he wants it but he doesn't show any kind of appreciation for it all. I don't know how many females are going through this too but if you are then...that's kinda messed up. You might fall in the category with the girls being talked about on the previous song. But overall, this is one of my favorites on the album. Dope.

11. Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)

If you're someone that deals with self-esteem issues, then this song may lift your spirits and boost your confidence a bit. Here she sing about dealing with esteem issues of her own but now appreciating her true beauty. Giving herself confidence by comparing herself to a work of art (hence the song title). This song is a message to all those who deal with this issue. She tells you to just appreciate who you are. Love yourself and recognize that you are beautiful and a work of art in your own eyes. Regardless of what others think. I also like the religious feel this song gives off with the production as well as the very soft piano break down at the end. Great song with a great message.

12. If You Dare

So she closes out the album with a very energetic song. Another uptempo dancy sounding song. It sounds like she maybe talking to someone (or a group of people). Telling them to basically get out and enjoy life. Don't let bad things that happen bring you down or make you weak. Go out have fun. Meet people, laugh, sing, dance, party do it all. You should be living life right and living it high as the hook says. Once again, another positive message and a good way to close this album.

In closing, this was definitely a impressive third album from Jazmine Sullivan. All the messages, all the stories and all the emotion makes this a great listen. The first good R&B album of 2015. I give this a final grade of a B+. What I forgot to mention earlier was the meaning behind this albums title. Reality shows today, the black ones specifically, depict a lot of what Jazmine Sullivan talked about on this. Sometimes in very negative ways. I think many people, especially young women can learn a lot from not only those shows but what Jazmine had to say hear. Always make the right decisions. Stay away from negativity and negative people especially. Most importantly, choose the people you wanna be with wisely. Other than that, just enjoy life. You don't want it to turn into one big messy reality show. End.

Lyrics: B+

Production: B-

Collaboration: D-

Originality: B+

Concept(s): A-

Final Grade: B+