Speechless! When was the last time you bought a cd and did not have ONE song you skipped on GP? Do you get annoyed at the fact that music retailers group Hip-Hop and R & B together when you know they are two distinct genres one having a long history of expressing Black love, pain, yearning, pride, history, and culture. Ever wonder when would it be that another young R & B crooner would come along with tremendous vocal range, musical talent, street credibility, heart, soul, and the self-assuredness to speak his spiritual truth and does so in a way that makes your head bob and your body move? I have had this cd for months, and never listened to it until yesterday. It is all I have listened to for the past 24 hours. I even went out today solely to buy his new cd Phoenix. I have been spreading the word around. Even my most critical friends who are very particular about what they listen to, as I am, were awed. Simply put, Lyfe gets it. Highlights include: "Cry" about getting to a point in his life where he no longer falls for the emotionally truncating myth that men are not supposed to cry. It equals taking his soul to the Laundromat he says. "She Got Kids" a different/honest spin on why men do not want to date a woman with kids. He takes the focus off not wanting to be financially responsible to these kids and puts it where it most matters... possibly not being able to be EMOTIONALLY responsible to these kids! "Hypothetically" is done twice on this CD, once with Erin, once with Fantasia. Try choosing which is better! I don't know who Erin is, but the sistah has skills! Both of these versions just touch my soul. This song asks the question, what would be the one thing that could tear our family apart? What if I did....and would you want to know the truth? Tired of the hypocrisy of so-called religious folk? Check out "Made Up My Mind" more of a spoken word piece about how these folks in their fakeness and judgement discourage and alienate too many people. On point brother! "My Life" now here is something creative... a song the reminisces on the hard times (remember having to use the stove to heat your water?) that were also the best times. and the chorus is a tribute to Christopher Reeves. Sounds like it couldn't work, but ya gotta hear it. GREAT song! "Let's Do it Right" hey, this is a hot slow jam BUT here's a twist.. it is a dedication to incarcerated brothers. How many men would sing such a song especially since it really is a legit love song. Usually, such a song would be an expletive-laden, crass rap glorifying criminal life. No, not here. It is upliftment, a tribute to "brothers on the lock down. and everybody who been something for a long time who been tricked into believing they weren't nothing". What more can be said? Every song is a highlight, but I am not going to say more. If you have not gotten this cd, stop reading. Go get it, and pick up an extra copy for as gift.
underapreciated this album originally dropped in 04 and didn't start to really sell 'till 05. this album is a classic just like the original, it's even better wit the bangin remix to his single must be nice wit my boy nas and the hypothetically remix wit fantasia. i can't really name any favorite tracks because i love them all so go cop dis album if u ain't got it and cop dat phoenix his sophmore album.
Lyfe 268-192 - Lyfe Jennings (Special Edition) The special edition of Lyfe Jennings "268-192" (2005) like the original is excellent. This album really impressed me; Lyfe's a gifted singer, with a story worth listening to. After a short intro and interlude, Lyfe delivers the goods with the outstanding "Must Be Nice", an addictive melody that this reviewer can play over and over. The follow up cut "The Way I Feel About You" is smooth and vibes well. Lyfe delves deeper on tracks like "She Got Kids", "Hypothetically" and "Smile" providing substantial & heartfelt music. "Greedy" is about a woman who uses her own seed, to gain revenge while "Stick Up Kid" has Lyfe recalling his days of being a thug. Lyfe challenges the myth that men shouldn't "Cry" with a deep slow track. On the upbeat "My Life", Lyfe sings about being poor and happy during the toughest of times and ends this track with some inspirational words. The closing track is my favourite, in an album full of memorable tracks "Let's Do This Right" a dedication to the incarcerated stands out the most for me. Lyfe knows what its like to be locked down, and shines like the sun while singing this one. Bonus material, includes remixes of "Hypothetically" feat. Fantasia and "Must Be Nice", loving the Nas addition on the later cut, and the DVD is entertaining. I respect how Lyfe has turned his life around (ten years in prison) and come up on top, and in turn inspires other people to through his singing and spoken word interludes. I am really looking forward to hearing his next album, he appears on LL Cool J's new album on a joint called "Freeze" dropping next week. I highly recommend adding Lyfe's diamond "268-192" to the collection.
Love It! Let me just say, normally I listen to nothing but rap. If it ain't 2Pac or anything, I don't listen to it, however I find myself playing this more than anything. This is the best CD I have herd in a long time. I have all three copies (Regular, DualDisc and this Limited Edition)and I love all three. Every song is great, I honestly can sing every track of this album at the drop of a hat.
The only negative of this version is Fantasia who kills my favorite song (Hypothetically)but thankfully it's at the end of the CD. Buy this CD now! I promise you'll love the realness and truthfulness of Lyfe Jennings.
Real Talent, Real Talk, Real Lyfe This CD is off the charts! From the standpoint of a sistah, this cd makes you feel some of the things that a brotha goes through. It forces you to listen & learn. He also bravely addresses some of the religious hypocrises that have existed for so long, allowing us to reflect, recognize and hopefully change. This cd is well worth the investment. Its music with a message.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
