Heaux Tales, Pam

Jazmine Sullivan's Heaux Tales aims to unpack the idea of being a "hoe." Although we've begun to see artists feature this concept in singles (Beyoncé, Cardi B / Megan Thee Stallion), Sullivan dedicates a full-length album and uses a specific format to fully explore this idea. Which is essentially the point here—the exploration of this idea from all sides. Each "tale" begins with a story, and the stories give context for the song that follows. Both the stories, and the songs that follow each illustrate the complexities of womanhood surrounding this whole notion of what is deemed "hoe" behavior. 

Starting from our teen years and beyond, we, as the fairer sex, are put into two boxes—"hoe" (bad) and "prude"(?) (good). Perhaps some of the most damaging aspects of this construct is that it promotes a culture of "girl-on-girl crime" and makes talking about sex taboo for women. Of course, as women, we all know that it's not that these conversations don't exist, but they usually exist among women only. Sullivan brings the conversation to the forefront, but it still feels like an album that was made for women by women (which is okay with me). 

As human beings, we are complex creatures. There are many reasons behind the decisions we make. And I think Heaux Tales illustrates this complexity perfectly. Sullivan presents these "tales" in a way that adds meaning, which diverts us away from mindlessly grouping them dichotomously. If telling the stories provides the brains, Sullivan musically provides the heart and soul. Relatively stripped down, the music doesn't need much more than Sullivan's incredible voice, which carries the weight of whatever sentiment she is singing about. Both the "tales" and the songs use transparency, humor, and wit in their quest to deconstruct the idea of a "hoe." The very nature of the beast is that it can never be simplified (much less into two boxes), but what Heaux Tales does is open a door, in the hopes that instead of our daughters being categorized in boxes, they grow up supporting each other. And I think the tale behind the "heaux" presents that opportunity. That's my take, at least. 

Anyway, I laughed, I cried, I blushed.