In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, soulful singer Jazmine Sullivan insinuates that race may be a factor in the difference between her success and that of an artist like an equally talanted, but white, Adele.
“I guess I’m glad that people are recognizing me in some way, and kind of see there’s a little injustice in how Black soul artists are received, but at the same time, I try not to focus so much on the negativity,” said Sullivan in the interview.
She also adds that while the people who listen to her, “…may not be as many people (who) listen to Adele, there are people who are listening. There are people who appreciate me. There are people who love my music.”
Sullivan’s last project, Reality Show, barely sold 30K copies, with the album’s three singles, “Dumb,” “Forever Don’t Last,” and “Let It Burn”, barely lasting on the charts. Meanwhile, Adele’s “Hello” single has topped the Billboard charts for the 10th week in a row, while her album, 25, has sold over 15 million copies.