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Lyfe Jennings
Background information
Birth name	Chester Bamsu Jennings
Born	June 3, 1978 (1978-06-03) (age 31)
Origin	Toledo, Ohio, United States
Genres	R&B, soul
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer, instrumentalist
Instruments	guitar, bass, piano
Years active	2003—present
Labels	Warner Bros. Records, Asylum Records, Jesus Swings
Associated acts	LaLa Brown, Nas, Three 6 Mafia, Young Buck, Bun B, Raekwon, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Website	lyfeonline.com

Lyfe Jennings (born Chester Bamsu Jennings on June 3, 1978) is a platinum-selling American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist. He plays the guitar, bass, and piano which he integrates into his music. The New York Times referred to him as a "socially minded R&B singer".¹

His love for music led him to join a group that included two of his cousins and his older brother. After splitting, Lyfe continued his interest in music. As stated in the songs "Ghetto Superman" and "More Than A Girl" from The Phoenix, Lyfe lost his father at a young age. Lyfe went to prison for ten years at the age of 14.[1]

Contents 1 Time behind bars 2 Lyfe after jail and career 3 Discography 3.1 Albums 3.2 Singles 3.3 Featured singles 3.4 Guest appearances 4 References 5 External links

Time behind bars

In 1992, Lyfe Jennings went to jail for arson.¹ As Lyfe refers to many times in his music, he turned his life around while in jail. There, Lyfe continued to write music and rekindle his faith in God. Lyfe served a little over 10 years behind bars. The numbers "268-192" attached to the end of his debut album represent the identification number he was given while incarcerated.¹

Lyfe after jail and career

Lyfe found his true love for music again while serving time in jail. "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." He began to play the guitar, sing, write and even started a music program in the Ohio institution. Upon his December 2002 release he began seriously pursuing his solo career. He spent his second day of freedom recording a four-song CD and the third day performing at a club.

By January 2003, Lyfe had showcased his talent to a nation-wide audience on "Showtime In Harlem" (The Apollo). He received a standing ovation for his acoustic performance of original material, and made his mark by winning the amateur competition five times. "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 EPs. 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 Hip-Hop star Nelly, and his spontaneous serenade to New Yorkers during the October 14th blackout at The Cafeteria in Chelsea. Other noteworthy venues and events include 2003 NBA All-Star events, NAACP Convention where he performed "Thank God for the NAACP" (an anthem he wrote for the organization), world famous B.B. King's Lounge & Grill, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Tennessee State University and a host of clubs and schools.

After much success with his debut, Lyfe begin to work on his second album. Lyfe became a mainstream artist and it showed with the well known producers and features that he had on his album. The name The Phoenix, refers to the Greek mythology Phoenix, symbolizing a rebirth, resurrection, or renewal. The anticipation of his new album led to many TV appearances, including Good Morning America. He is a good friend of former G-Unit member Young Buck. Buck appeared on Lyfe's album on a song called "Slow Down" and in return, he appeared on Young Buck's album "Buck the World" on the self-titled song.

Lyfe's latest album is "Lyfe Change" which was released in early 2008.² Lyfe's upcoming fourth studio album, I Still Believe (previously titled Sooner or Later) will be released sometime in 2010

Discography

Albums

• 2004: Lyfe 268-192
• 2006: The Phoenix
• 2008: Lyfe Change
• 2010: I Still Believe

Singles

• 2004: "Stick Up Kid"
• 2005: "Must Be Nice"
• 2006: "Hypothetically" (featuring Fantasia)
• 2006: "S.E.X." (featuring LaLa Brown)
• 2006: "Let's Stay Together"
• 2008: "Cops Up" another version exist with Jim Jones
• 2008: "Never Never Land"
• 2008: "Will I Ever"
• 2009: "Haters"
• 2009: "Work" (featuring Fabolous)
• 2009: "If I Knew Then"
• 2010: "Busy"

Featured singles

• 2006: "Freeze" (LL Cool J feat. Lyfe Jennings)
• 2006: "Ghetto Mindstate" (Lil Flip feat. Lyfe Jennings)

Guest appearances

• 2004: "Cold Outside" (Jin feat. Lyfe Jennings)
• 2006: "Tell Tell Tell (Stop Snitchin)" (Project Pat feat. Mr. Bigg, Lyfe Jennings & Young Jeezy)
• 2006: "It's My Time" (Rick Ross feat. Lyfe Jennings)
• 2006: "People get ready" (Alicia Keys feat. Lyfe Jennings)
• 2007: "Give Em Hell" (Talib Kweli feat. Coi Mattison & Lyfe Jennings)
• 2007: "Buck the World" (Young Buck feat. Lyfe Jennings)
• 2008: "Hood Star" (Three 6 Mafia feat. Lyfe Jennings)
• 2008: "Tryin' To Get Home" (Blood Raw feat. Lyfe Jennings)
• 2008: "If I Die II Night" (Bun B feat. Lyfe Jennings & Young Buck)
• 2009: "911" (Shawty Lo feat. Bun B, Rick Ross & Lyfe Jennings)
• 2009: "Catalina" (Raekwon feat. Lyfe Jennings Prod. By Dr. Dre)
• 2009: "See Me Shine" (Bone Thugs-N-Harmony feat. Lyfe Jennings, Phaedra & J Rush)
• 2009: "Warriors" (Hussein Fatal feat. Lyfe Jennings) from Trouble Mixtape

v • d • e Lyfe Jennings Albums "Lyfe 268-192" · "The Phoenix" · "Lyfe Change" Singles "Stick Up Kid" · "Must Be Nice" · "Hypothetically" · "S.E.X." · "Let's Stay Together" · "Cops Up" · "Never Never Land" Featured Singles Freeze" · "Ghetto Mindstate" · "Catalina" · "See Me Shine"

References

External links

• Official site
• Lyfe Jennings at MySpace
• Lyfe's Yahoo! Music profile
• Lyfe's VH1 Profile