A Retired Hoe Reminiscing On Her Tales
The first time I listened to the album Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan I was not only struck by her amazing voice, but by how much I related to the story she was telling. The title, Heaux Tales, pronounced “hoe tales”, is a funny and sophisticated twist on words. It sets a vibe that is continued by the storytelling within the album. The introduction track, “Bodies'', describes a night involving too much alcohol and the sketchy situations she keeps putting herself in. It’s a melodic pep talk evaluating another crazy night and telling herself that she has to get her shit together. Right away I’m transported back to the countless times I woke up in the morning feeling exactly the same way. Unlike her, I wasn’t even considering how lucky I was that I woke up safe in my own bed. My college years all blur together with nights like these strewn in-when I considered my actions to be nothing but fun and good times. With this opening tale, Jazmine lets us in on her own personal struggles, allowing herself to be vulnerable and relatable. She opens up the stage for other women to share their truth and lets the listener know they are not alone.
