Born and Raised:
Real name: Chester "Lyfe" Jennings. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio.
Real name: Chester "Lyfe" Jennings. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio.
Early Life:
Lyfe began singing at a young age in a church choir in his hometown of Toledo. He later joined a group called The Dotsons with two of his cousins and his older brother, Jay. The group separated in the early 1990s. As a teenager, Lyfe was arrested on an arson-related charge and was eventually sentenced to a 10-year prison term, which he began serving at the age of 15. During his time in an Ohio prison, Lyfe discovered Erykah Badu's 1997 album, Baduizm, and it rekindled his love for music.
Lyfe began singing at a young age in a church choir in his hometown of Toledo. He later joined a group called The Dotsons with two of his cousins and his older brother, Jay. The group separated in the early 1990s. As a teenager, Lyfe was arrested on an arson-related charge and was eventually sentenced to a 10-year prison term, which he began serving at the age of 15. During his time in an Ohio prison, Lyfe discovered Erykah Badu's 1997 album, Baduizm, and it rekindled his love for music.
Prison and The Apollo:
Lyfe began playing music in prison and even started a prison music program. Jennings was released from prison in December 2002 and pursued a music career. In January 2003, he performed on amateur night at the famous Showtime at The Apollo in Harlem, New York. Although he was booed when he walked onstage, he eventually won the crowd over and eventually won five amateur night victories in a row. Later in 2003, Lyfe independently released a four-song EP, What Is Love.
Lyfe began playing music in prison and even started a prison music program. Jennings was released from prison in December 2002 and pursued a music career. In January 2003, he performed on amateur night at the famous Showtime at The Apollo in Harlem, New York. Although he was booed when he walked onstage, he eventually won the crowd over and eventually won five amateur night victories in a row. Later in 2003, Lyfe independently released a four-song EP, What Is Love.
First Album:
He eventually moved from Toledo to New York City to further pursue a music career, and wound up signing with Columbia Records. Lyfe's debut album, Lyfe 268-192 in August 2004. (The number 268-192 had been his inmate number.) The album's first single was "Stick Up Kid," which was only moderately successful. It wasn't until the album's second single, "Must Be Nice," was released that the album finally took off and became a hit.
He eventually moved from Toledo to New York City to further pursue a music career, and wound up signing with Columbia Records. Lyfe's debut album, Lyfe 268-192 in August 2004. (The number 268-192 had been his inmate number.) The album's first single was "Stick Up Kid," which was only moderately successful. It wasn't until the album's second single, "Must Be Nice," was released that the album finally took off and became a hit.
"The Phoenix":
Jennings' second album The Phoenix, was released in August 2006 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's album chart and No. 2 on the top 200 album's chart. The first single, "S.E.X.," about older men trying to seduce a pubescent teenage girl, becaume a big hit. The Phoenix had a sizeable Hip-Hop influence: among the guest performers on the album were the rappers Three 6 Mafia, Young Buck and Project Pat. The album also contains a cover of 2Pac's "Keep Ya Head Up."
Jennings' second album The Phoenix, was released in August 2006 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's album chart and No. 2 on the top 200 album's chart. The first single, "S.E.X.," about older men trying to seduce a pubescent teenage girl, becaume a big hit. The Phoenix had a sizeable Hip-Hop influence: among the guest performers on the album were the rappers Three 6 Mafia, Young Buck and Project Pat. The album also contains a cover of 2Pac's "Keep Ya Head Up."
Quote:
"I think that commercial success is a product of street level success. But, people who strictly concentrate on commercial success, once it’s gone they have nothing. But the people who build from the street level always have something to come back to, a loyal fan-base means a lot." -- Lyfe Jennings, as told to the Just Soul Web site, November, 2005.
"I think that commercial success is a product of street level success. But, people who strictly concentrate on commercial success, once it’s gone they have nothing. But the people who build from the street level always have something to come back to, a loyal fan-base means a lot." -- Lyfe Jennings, as told to the Just Soul Web site, November, 2005.
