UB Soul Friday: Celebrating the Incomparable Lyfe Jennings

This weeks “UB Soul Friday” spotlights a multi talented, often overlooked, but never under appreciated Lyfe Jennings.

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of his “Tree of Lyfe” album release.

“UB Soul Friday,” spotlighting artists, albums, singles and videos that left a mark in R&B and Soul music!

Life is what this alternative rhythm and blues artist delivers to the world.

Born in Toledo, Ohio on June 3rd, 1978, Chester “Lyfe” Jennings is a Platinum-selling R&B/Soul singer/songwriter, producer and instrumentalist.

A self-taught musician who plays the guitar, bass and piano.

Lyfe‘s musical career began as a young boy in a church choir in Toledo.

Music was his soul’s escape and soon led him to join The Dotsons, a young group that infused the talents of Lyfe‘s two cousins and older brother, Jay, then after heading in separate directions in the early 90’s, Lyfe found his love for music again while serving time in prison. “Deeper situations tend to lead to deeper music and prison was one of those deeper situations. Music gave me an opportunity to express emotions in an unemotional environment.”

Lyfe‘s soulful, raspy tenor called to mind Al Green and Bobby Womack. “That’s close to what folk singers do. But my lyrics lean toward rapping.”

The family group The Dotsons, was the New Edition like act and won some local talent shows and recorded a demo.

Nothing panned out further for the group, and Lyfe Jennings began receiving overtures from local producers to go solo.

Then, in one of the unfortunate twists of fate that color his music, a 16-year-old Jennings was sent to jail. While in prison, his principal focus returned to music.

He learned how to play guitar and started a music program for the other inmates. During the daily two hours allotted for outside recreation, he could often be found sitting at a table by the recreation yard and writing songs. “A majority of my work is personal,” he stated.

He spent 10 years in prison, honing his craft and overcoming his past.

Upon his December 2002 release he began seriously pursuing his solo career.

He spent his 2nd day of freedom recording a 4 song demo and the 3rd day performing at a club.

By January 2003, Lyfe had showcased his talent on the nationwide “Showtime At The Apollo,” as a 5-time winner.

He received a standing ovation for his acoustic performance of original material. “I felt blessed just knowing that at least somebody appreciated my struggle, my experience and my life.”

During his success at the Apollo, Lyfe began to independently sell his EP “What Is Love.”

Two songs from the EP, “What Is Love” & “She Got Kids,” garnered regular spins at local radio, which aided in the sale of thousands of the EP.

To add to Lyfe’s success, calls began to pour in from countless agents, promoters and record labels, which prompted the Ohio native to move to NYC to make his dream come true.

Soon after Lyfe arrived in New York, he wrote and co-produced a song for a major label, made a cameo in a music video, appeared in publications and performed many solo shows and opening acts for major recording artists, including the most memorable opener in front of a sold out crowd at Radio City Music Hall for Nelly.

With his authentic, soulful voice and innovative lyrical ability, Lyfe Jennings transformed the music world with his 2004 debut “268-192.”

The album title refers to his prison number, he wrote with raw, yet poetic, honesty about the twists and turns on life’s winding road.

Using live instrumentation to weave an R&B/hip-hop/folk backdrop, he wrote and produced an anti-bling album that definitely goes against the contemporary grain: No brand-name producers contributed hot beats, no big-name guest cameos. “I play the guitar and tell stories about real life,” the 27-year said at the time.

Songs like, “She Got Kids”, “26 Years, 17 Days” and “Stick Up Kid”, broadcasted street life for the world to absorb.

Lyfe‘s romantic side emerged in love songs like, “Must Be Nice,” and “I Can’t”. “I say the things that people think about but won’t say,” commented Lyfe.

It’s this level of honesty and originality that won him worldwide fans of all ages in markets such as Europe, Japan, and throughout the U.S.

The critically acclaimed album sold over 1.1 million copies in the U.S., providing the necessary vehicle for Lyfe Jennings to stake his claim as a pivotal part of the R&B/Soul movement.

The album was on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Chart for over 70 weeks and the Top 200 for 50 weeks, fueled by the singles “Stick Up Kid,” and the Top 5 Urban hit “Must Be Nice.”

The second single “Hypothetically,” was an album track recut to feature R&B songstress Fantasia.

In a time where ringtones were a thing, he sold over 750K. A two-time #1 Billboard Heatseekers album, “Lyfe 268 -192” established the poetic artist as an aesthetic force of nature with main stream and underground support.

The introspective album encompasses everything from regret and gratitude to love and redemption. “When people have too much of something, they become desensitized,” he said. “There hadn’t been a lot of truth in R&B and hip-hop. But now there are artists like Keyshia Cole and John Legend with live instruments talking about things relevant to real life.”

Lyfe spent the summer of 2005 on tour with John Legend, and headlining his own successful “Lyfe Experience” tour, with Goapele and Vivian Green.

Lyfe Jennings first national TV appearance was the musical guest on “The Jimmy Kimmel Show.”

In 2006 he released his sophomore release “The Phoenix.” Including the hit single “S.E.X.”

He captured an even broader audience with his sophomore effort, which expanded on his life story, taking listeners through different phases of a man.

That was followed by the 2008 release of “Lyfe Change.”

Highlights on the 14-track album include collaborations with Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg and T.I., as well as Grammy nominated producers, Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis, The Underdogs and Rich Keller. “I’m considered to be an R&B cat because I’m a soul singer, but I also enjoy rock, jazz, and all kinds of music,” Lyfe admited. “I’m a musician. I’m not in a box. That’s what I hate about categories. People put you into one and dare you to come out!”

Lyfe had fun making the album, experimenting with different genres and taking his time to craft a beautifully sonic, expressive album. “My music has always been positive, touching people socially and emotionally,” he said. “But I named this album Lyfe Change because this time I wanted to take it a step further and invoke people to make a change in their lives and in the lives of others. That’s how we’ll change the world, one life at a time.”

On “Never Never Land,” the first single, Lyfe delivered rich lyrics with such appeal that they’re guaranteed to tug at anyone’s heart strings.

On the track he talks about how his friends don’t understand why he’s chosen to fall in love and leave the player behind. He sings, “Those fellas live in never never land/right next to Peter Pan/ nobody wants to grow old/those fellas live in never never land/ they’ll never understand what it’s like to be in love…” After he sings the catchy melodic hook, he smiles and says “the younger Lyfe saw women come and go; the mature Lyfe understands family never goes out of style.”

Besides showing his growth as a musician and vocalist on “Lyfe Change,” Lyfe opted not to include his signature speaking interludes or any explicit content on the album. “I wanted people to just flow from song to song without blushing if their kids were around. I also added more up tempo songs to this album. Some can be played in the clubs and some are happy and funny; but there are serious songs as well.”

He also says that he wanted “Lyfe Change” to be a fly album. “I just went in the studio, kicked it and came up with the songs.”

Lyfe admited that the ballad “Will I Ever” was his favorite song on the album, not only because it poses the common question “Will I ever fall in love?” but also because it’s a live band track that showcases his amazing vocal range.

The summer of 2010 brought his album release “I Still Believe.” The first to be released by his own label, Jesus Swings, through Asylum/Warner Bros Records.

Lyfe Jennings’ controversial lead single “Statistics” was the #1 most added at Urban Radio.

In his blunt but truthful style, Lyfe broke down the statistics about men and offers some rules women should follow to be with the 10% worth having.

Lyfe said the song was inspired by Steve Harvey‘s book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy and Commitment.”

According to Lyfe, “25% of all men are unstable, 25% of all men can’t be faithful, 30% of them don’t mean what they say and the 10% of the remaining 20% is gay. That leaves you a 10% chance of ever finding your mate, that means you better pay attention to these words that I say I’m going teach you how to expose the 90% and show you what to do to keep the other 10.”

“Lucid” came in 2013, with the single “Boomerang.”

“Tree of Lyfe” was Lyfe‘s 2015 masterpiece. Originally released June 22nd, celebrating it’s 10th year anniversary.

Lyfe Jennings described “Tree Of Lyfe” as his most personal work. He wrote and produced the majority of the album at his home studio.

The lead single, “Pretty Is,” a soulful and melodic ballad that celebrated women with an empowering message.

The albums highlight “We’re Not the Same,” features Algebra Blessett.

His final album “777” in 2019 found Lyfe‘s writing style and unique vocal tones, supported by richer musical tones than his previous releases. “I’m used to doing that raw sound, just me and a guitar and a beat behind it,” he said. However, Lyfe also stated, “I don’t decide when the music is done. The music decides.”

Over the years he has released “The Present,” “Tell Me” feat. Delilah Kidane and for the 25th anniversary, “Must Be Nice (A.O.U)” the 2024 Reboot.

UB has interviewed Lyfe numerous times over the years and he’s shared everything from his early beginnings, to his favorite songs he’s recorded. ReVisit those interviews!

UB Interviews: “The Phoenix” (2006)

Aries talked to LYFE about his album “The Phoenix”, black music, his debut and more!

Aries (UBG): What can LYFE fans expect from “The Phoenix” that they didn’t get with your debut?
LYFE: Just more of me, more of my story. Just a lot of positive music and lyrics and just a progression from my first album.

Aries (UBG): S.E.X. is hot! Tell me about that song and who’s the female vocalist featured?
LYFE: Thanks. It features Lala Brown. It’s just basically a song telling young females to be careful about who they lay down with. When it comes to sex be cautious.

Aries (UBG): Who did you have a chance to work with this time around?
LYFE: I got a chance to work with Young Buc, Lala Brown, 36 Mafia, a new artist by the name of Doc Black and I did all of the writing again this time for the album.

Aries (UBG): Biggie Nigga comes to mind when I think of how creative you can be with your lyrics. Do you have a method when you start writing a song?
LYFE: Man it just comes and I take it from there. What I never try to do is to make a negative out of a positive. Meaning if I’m writing a song in a certain tone, I try not to veer away from that.

Aries (UBG): Your debut album is a classic in the opinions of many, when you recorded that album what did you want listeners to take from it?
LYFE: Really just a glimpse into my life man. It’s like if I can come from prison and turn my life into something positive, anybody can. I wanted listeners to get to know me an a person and as an artist.

Aries (UBG): You do a great live show, for a new artist sometimes that’s rare. Which artists have inspired your stage shows?
LYFE: Thanks! I defiantly was studying Prince when it came to doing great shows and of course James Brown. Anthony Hamilton is great as well so I study those guys when I’m thinking of a show.

Aries (UBG): You worked with Fantasia, is there any other R&B; female artist you would like to work with?
LYFE: Yeah I would love to work with Mary J. Blige and also Keyshia Cole, I love her whole story.

Aries (UBG): What’s next for LYFE?
LYFE: Promoting this next album and getting it out. I also want to get into some acting. I’m going to put out these children’s books I wrote and also shop this script to a film that I wrote. So just a lot of things in the works, I’m looking forward to it all.

Aries (UBG): June is black music month, what has black music meant to you?
LYFE: Black music has always meant empowerment to me. It’s like we as black people go through all types of situations and we always find a way to bounce back. Not to say other races don’t go through the same thing. But it’s easier coming from your own and knowing you can relate. When you hear the music you realize you can do the same thing and overcome obstacles as well.

Aries (UBG): If you could work with any black music artists, dead or alive who would it be and why?
LYFE: 2Pac, because there was power in what he would say. His lyrics and songs were powerful. He always had a way to turn a negative into a positive and vice-versa in a sense. He was very creative and I would of loved to have gotten the opportunity to work with him.

Aries (UBG): What changes would you like to see in black music in the coming years?
LYFE: I really wouldn’t make any changes in the music so to speak. I mean every artists should be able to record the type of music they want. What I would change is radio and I would like to see them playing more positive music over the airwaves.

Aries (UBG): Any last words for your fans?
LYFE: I appreciate the support, thanks for staying with me.

UB Interview: “I Still Believe” (2010)

UrbanBridgez.com: Lets talk ‘Statistics,’ where did you come up with the concept of that song?
Lyfe: Steve Harvey’s book (‘Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man’) gave me the concept & just different things going on in the media. Just with relationships and I just thought I would put my two cents in on what I thought about it. In one of those mind method ways, it’s worked before! So people will actually listen, you know. I also thought it would be a cool angle to to base a song on.

UrbanBridgez.com: It’s creating debates on our site and forum, was that your whole purpose, to create a dialogue between the sexes?
Lyfe: You know I didn’t even think of the dialogue between them right. But I looked online and it’s like a billion hits about that stuff man. I didn’t think it was going to do all of that.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell me about “I Still Believe,” the story behind the title and the overall vibe of the album?
Lyfe: The story behind the title, is that we’re just getting away from, we’re texting too much on the phone, we’re having less analog conversations and more digital. So the idea of the songs is basically just getting back to that point, you know where people can have meaningful relationships. I mean people are texting their kids now, I wish I would text my kid.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who did you work with this time around?
Lyfe: I worked with Eric Hudson, Brian Michael Cox, I worked with a new producer named T-Minus, who did that Ludacris ‘Drop it Low’ & produced ‘Statistics.’ And I got one feature on there with Anthony Hamilton.

UrbanBridgez.com: I’ve seen you live twice in concert in Minneapolis. So with this being your last album, I was happy to hear you’re going to still tour from time to time. Why the decision now to focus more on family then the music?
Lyfe: You know just really coming home and seeing the way my kids act as they grow. Just seeing little quirk’s in their personalities. They need a man there, and not just to tell them what to do but to show them by example, to be around!

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you plan on hitting the road this summer in support of the new release?
Lyfe: Yeah, but actually we were hitting the road. Me, Anthony Hamilton, Raheem DeVaughn, Jahiem and KEM. But they said they didn’t want me on that tour anymore, even after I did all of my contracts and things with them. They don’t want me on the tour anymore because I had a felony and it’s Budweiser!

UrbanBridgez.com: Wow!
Lyfe: Yeah that’s what I was like, wow! What’s so crazy about it is and this is the first time this has ever happened. But the crazy thing, is my career started with Budweiser. I won the whole Budweiser New Artist search! I won that whole thing and that’s what helped me to get my deal. Now ironically, Budweiser because of the felony that I had, not that I have now. I did the Budweiser thing when I came out of jail! And now they’re saying they don’t want me on the tour, imagine that…

UrbanBridgez.com: Speaking of, you’ve dealt with your share of downsides to being in this business with things like the death of La La Brown. What’s been the hardest thing you’ve had to deal with being a celebrity in and the public eye?
Lyfe: You know just things like that. Where people want to discredit what I’ve done in the music industry because I have a past. I think we all make mistakes and just like I don’t think you can compare peoples mistakes in comparison of other peoples mistakes. You can’t judge your blessings in comparison of someone else’s blessings.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s the biggest misconception you think some may have about you?
Lyfe: Probably that I’m always serious and I’m not! I’m a jokester and my songs are serious but I think that the impact the media has on society is so underrated! It’s so exploitative, and I’m very serious about that. But in my regular life, I’m a very funny guy man (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: For Black Music Month, what’s the first album you remember ever getting and what would you say is your favorite soul/R&B album of all time?
Lyfe: I think my favorite album of all time would be Anita Baker’s ‘Compositions.’ She’s just a crazy artist and talked about real stuff, very unique! I think style-wise and vocally. The first album I got? I think it was, ironically and this is going to sound crazy (laughs)…The first album that I ever got was Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’ Like the real album, they gave me the real album.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s next for you after this album?
Lyfe: Man I’m going to get into these movies, I just shot one. Some childrens book series, working with some new artists right now, that’s going to be coming out on my label. So just alot of stuff like that, I’m going to still be involved in the arts, but just not like that…

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
Lyfe: I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I do! When nobody else didn’t believe, this is all fan stuff. I sold 3,000 my first week off my first album. & it turned into platinum album. So they’ve definitely given me what I need and I hope hard, that I’ve given them what they need!

Take A Trip Down Memory Lane with Lyfe!