Singer Lyfe Jennings Returns to Prison for Three and a Half Years
Should He Have Made 'Statistics' or Did the Song Backfire?
Lyfe Jennings' fans heard rumors that this would be his last CD for awhile, but the reason wasn't quite clear. However, even though Lyfe Jennings wasn't given the option to say goodbye to his children before re-entering the prison system, he did leave a Tweet from his @LyfeJennings419 account.
The Tweet said, "This will be my last post. To everyone who gave me a chance I am forever in your debt. I have had a fabulous career because of you. All I can say in parting is that I have been honest with yaw. I didn't sugarcoat a word didn't hold back a single sylible of my life from yaw. I've lived a hundred lives in these 6 yrs so I not only won't, i don't have the right to complain. I would like to think that I've changed lives by changing my own, tho I can't be sure. But one thing I am sure of is God gives and takes away in measure. He is fair, just and forever. Amen from aman... Smile, its contageous:)"
In two years, a man can learn a lot. But I don't think any less of Lyfe Jennings after his conviction today. He's never tried to play the role of the everyday man next door. On his first CD, he used his prison number "268-192" and made the songs "Stick Up Kid" and "26 Years, 17 Days." Honestly I'm more satisfied that he kept it real the entire time he was introduced to us instead of the fake rappers (and a few singers) who swear they're just as hard and lived just as rough a life solely to sell records.
Was he wrong for the 2008 incidents? I don't know because I wasn't there. From the report, it sounds like he was completely wilding out, but without being there to see what happened we have no way of knowing whether his actions were justified or was he really acting "crazy, deranged." But that still does not take away from the impact he had on young ladies and grown women who still sincerely need to pay attention to songs like "S.E.X.," "It's Real" and "Statistics." Women really do need to watch out for the men they date. They really do need to be more careful with their partners. They really do need to stop settling for being booty calls.
While Lyfe Jennings did make a song calling out folks who needed to get their lives together, it's not like we ever heard him saying he was perfect either. From the pattern of his career, it seemed like he wanted women to make better decisions so men like him would, too. And his words are sincere. I remember seeing him perform at the Taste of Chicago and the House of Blues. I've seen a lot of artists perform, but he is hands down one of my top five. As soon as he grabbed his guitar, I was floored. The way he sings a capella could shut down your favorite male singer's career. So much soul and raw talent on a stage that close to me is hard to ignore. So I won't.
Three and a half years is not a lifetime. Maybe he'll come back stronger. Maybe he'll finally learn from his mistakes or maybe he already has but couldn't erase the two-year-old incident. Either way, the songs he made are as true as his own introduction to neosoul and R&B. And fellas, as much as some of you would like to say, "You see where he's at now," a better question is where are you at? Regardless of whether he's in prison now, that doesn't excuse the way some of us need to take a long, hard look at our relationships and the way we view safe sex.
Source:
"Lyfe Jennings: R&B Singer Headed Back To Prison"
Check out other Lyfe Jennings' info and reviews:
"June is Black Music Month, Countdown of Shamontiel's Top 30 African-American Artists"
"Lyfe Jennings 'Statistics' May Be Edgy but Rest of Album Full of Slow Tracks"
Published by Shamontiel
Shamontiel is the author of Round Trip and Change for a Twenty, and in mid-October became the Chicago Tribune s Digital News Editor. She works on National Travel, Health and occasionally Breaking News, and w... View profile
Lyfe Jennings' The Phoenix: Heartfelt Musical StorytellingA slightly inflated ego and ostentatious lyricism compensated for by more intense, vivid, heartfelt storytelling
Experiences of a Young Alcoholic: Reflections After Five Years Of SobrietyI inherited a strong predisposition toward destructive drinking behavior and I knew it. But I drank anyway and lost control. After five years sobriety I learned all about why...- Billboard Music Debuts- September 25, 2010This is the list of songs that debuted on the Billboard charts during the week ending September 25, 2010.
- Manuel Noriega Extradited to France After 20 Years in the U.SAfter spending 20 years jailed in the U.S., former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega has been extradited to France to face money laundering charges.
Michael Douglas' Son Cameron Skates with 5 Years for Drug DealingCameron Douglas could have been sentenced to 10 years for dealing drugs, while Michael Douglas hoped for rehab instead of prison. The judge's sentence came down in the middle.
- Taste of Chicago: Here's a Taste of the 2007 Concert Music Lineup
- LYFE JENNINGS: "CHANGE" HAPPENS!
- Lyfe Jennings Lyfe Changes Early Album Review
- Lyfe Jenning's "Lyfe Change": The Masterpiece
- June is Black Music Month, Countdown of Shamontiel's Top 30 African-American Artists
- New Orleans Three and a Half Years After Katrina
- Lyfe Jennings 'Statistics' May Be Edgy but Rest of Album Full of Slow Tracks
3 Comments
Post a CommentI just want to say that his music touched me at a time when I was at my worst. Sometimes you feel that you have it bad, someone has it worse. He spoke truth about his life not made up things that these other singers are talking about... I am raising sons, med not drug dealers and gang bangers.... His music is real and I don't know whats wrong with people when you hear some of his music that you can not relate.... I hope that after these 3 1/2 years that he comes home and gets it together and knocks out another album. I am praying for you Lyfe Jennings, take care of yourself and come home to your TRUE FAN... Thank you for when I thought none could understand what I was going through you did... I AM STILL STANDING......
MTV reported him as saying "It's tragic; I think I have a horribly charmed life," Jennings said. "But I think God puts me through stuff and keeps me there so I can talk about it." Honestly I think those three songs mentioned above have done more to raise awareness on safe sex and trying to get women to start paying attention to who they're sleeping with. Regardless of his own personal issues, that was two YEARS ago not two DAYS ago. I'm reading all these snide tweets on Twitter, but it's not like the brotha was lying about HIV, AIDS, etc. His stats weren't researched, but at face value, I could definitely run into ALL the guys he talked about in less than 24 hours.
I saw so many tweets earlier but nothing from any credible news sources so I had to wait before commenting on the subject. First off great piece and I agree with you 100%. And I would like add, that God may have a plan for him to change some lives while on lock down. I will be praying for my brother and like you said he laid down an undeniable body of work and kept if real with how he felt! I think when he gets out he is goin to do some great things musically speaking! That's my 3 1/2 cents!!