Life lessons from Jazmine Sullivan at ACL Music Fest

Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read
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Jazmine Sullivan's 2021 release "Heaux Tales" is a revelatory meditation on female sexuality, empowerment and love. Steeped in hard won wisdom, it's the kind of album that helps you grow. Her soaring 4 p.m. Austin City Limits Music Festival set was part turn up, part revival meeting and part steamy sing-along.

Here are a few life lessons we're taking home.

You are stronger than you think

The queen of vengeance R&B started her afternoon set exactly how you think she did. Clad in a neon orange tracksuit, she kicked into a spirited version of her name-making 2008 jam "Bust the Windows."

"Yeah, I did. He deserved it," she crooned while she detailed tapping into strength she didn't know she had to smash her exes' ride.

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You are more than your sexuality

"Heaux Tales" is laced with raw sex confessionals from women in Sullivan's life. "Amanda's Tale," a powerful reflection on the danger of a woman tying her self worth to her sexuality, was the only one she played at Zilker. For survivors of the bitches and ho's era of hip-hop, it's an essential reminder.

We all need love

Sullivan reminded us to pour positive energy into the world whenever we can, "because you never know what other people are dealing with." Then she invited the audience to sing H.E.R.'s part on "Girl Like Me," while she flexed her range, effortlessly scaling octaves with churchy runs.

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It's OK to get your freak on

"We want things to be cool. We just want to love on you but you got to be good to us," she reminded the men in the crowd before easing into an unapologetically nasty version of "On It."

Reveling in your power is the best revenge

Sullivan left it all on stage as she closed out the set with the chart-topping breakup jam "Pick Up Your Feelings." She left us with a clear and important message: the best way to get back at someone is to shine bright.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: ACL Fest 2022: Jazmine Sullivan busts the windows out