Lyfe Jennings, The "The Phoenix" Era (August)

[HER MINAJesty]

Lyfe Jennings Rises With Sophomore CD

April 14, 2006, 10:45 AM ET
Clover Hope, N.Y.



R&B crooner Lyfe Jennings has set an August release date for his sophomore album, "The Phoenix" (Columbia/Sony Urban Music). The inmate-turned-artist penned all the tracks on the album, as with his 2004 debut effort "Lyfe 268-192." A first single is expected to be released next month.

The album's title refers to the mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes, something Jennings, who spent 10 years in prison for arson, felt many people could relate to. "I just picked up where I left off and told a story," he says. "I think that's what happens to everybody. You get stuck in the ashes and you come through. This is just another situation in my life where I came through the fire."

While much of the album touches on relationships, the cut "S.E.X.," featuring Lyfe's protégé LaLa tackles the topic of young female maturation. "I've wanted to write this song for a long time," says Lyfe. "[It's about girls] being confused by all the sudden attention when they start developing physically but not mentally."

Also notable is a new version of slain rapper Tupac Shakur's anthem "Keep Ya Head Up," which Jennings hopes will appeal to both rap and R&B fans. Similar to "Lyfe 268-192" (the title of which referred to his prison number), many of the tracks on the new offering utilize live instrumentation, including a 20-piece orchestra.

Jennings' debut peaked at No. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 39 on The Billboard 200. It has sold nearly 1 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Lead single "Must Be Nice," reached No. 5 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

[Sure Thing]

alex81979 said:

I heard clips of a few of the songs, and I'm kinda bored.  Good for him, though.  I like the title kinda.

Where did you hear the clips?

[crash46]

He's from my hometown, so I hope for the best for him. I saw him on Showtime At The Apollo in the late 90's (so I have no idea where he fit in a 10-year prison sentence if he's 27 years old), and saw one of his videos for song he did with Fantasia Barrino. He's a really talented guy.

[1intelligentdude]

cant wait, loved 268-192

[A Thug Named Slickback]

1intelligentdude said:

cant wait, loved 268-192

Can't believe that he's already due for another CD. I feel like 268-192 just came out.

[jamaicantasiaboy]

YAY!!!! i'm buying that the first week it comes out

[SHOOTER]

I actually like this cd more than his 1st

[jamaicantasiaboy]

ohshooter said:

I actually like this cd more than his 1st

the first cd was brilliant the best male r&b album for that year

[britneyrules]

S.E.X. is such a fucking good song. I jam to it!

[jamaicantasiaboy]

britneyrules said:

S.E.X. is such a f**king good song. I jam to it!

i lov it 2 :)

[jewel88]

Lyfe's first album did extremely well almost one million sold for a debut r & b artist that is huge, a lot the debut r & b artists have sold more then many of pop's new artist. I think both Lyfe and Keysia Cole have sold more albums then many of pop's heavily hyped artist. that's impressive since r & b is a smaller genre.

SEX is a great song.

[SoulMusic]

I expect "The Phoenix" to go Platnium just like "Lyfe 268-192". I was suprised at how good the song with Three 6 Mafia is. The only song on there that I could do without is "Biggie Ni**a".

I expect "Lets Stay Together" to be the "Must Be Nice" of the Phoenix Era. Somebody is crazy if that is not the second single.

[SHOOTER]

Kinda annoying how he made each interlude an individual track this time around!

[marcjm]

I am looking forward to his CD coming out this week. Looks like I gotta pick up both Christina Aguilera's and Lyfe's joint. I can't get over the fact that the CD cover is 1 of the cheapest looking ever, but Lyfe is deep, and it takes a true listener to get into him. I know he's going to sell well though because he has mad support in the Urban sector. I can see him opening up with 100k plus.

[reception]

Reviewed by Steve Jones
USA Today

Lyfe Jennings, The Phoenix (* * * 1/2 out of four)

The gravelly voiced singer picks up where 2004’s Lyfe 268-192 left off, using the same, no-longer-novel but still effective format: narrative interludes setting up the soulful songs that tell his story. On the first album, guitarist Jennings talked about his life leading up to and immediately following the 10 years he spent in prison for arson. Now, he’s giving an update on his struggles with his newfound success and rising from the ashes of his past life. It’s a bumpy road for him in love, life and work, but his frank discussions of everything from self-doubt, jealousy and infidelity to young groupies, false friends and industry sharks make it an engaging journey.

[1intelligentdude]

amazing album.

[awwHALEnahh]

Let's Stay Together's video debuts on Yahoo this week!!!

[michael7627]

How is/did "The Phoenix" do sales wise because it seemed like the album came as fast as it went?

[SHOOTER]

michael7627 said:

How is/did "The Phoenix" do sales wise because it seemed like the album came as fast as it went?

It's sold about 350k so far. Pretty good based off of one single. Hopefully "Let's Stay Together" will pick his momentum back up!

[George]

I am so happy his album re-entered the charts this week!

Go Lyfe! He's SO CLOSE to selling GOLD.

[SHOOTER]

His label's undergoing major re-construction since they closed down its urban divison (technically the division he was signed to) so I think a 3rd single from this album will be unlikely. But I'm hoping I'm wrong because he does deserve to at least sell past Gold.

[Jay D83]

"I'll Always Love You" for single #3 please.

[musicmania001]

I believe that he sold a little more than 350k.

[George]

musicmania001 said:

I believe that he sold a little more than 350k.

#198 Lyfe Jennings | The Phoenix 4,035 (424,781)

[musicmania001]

Thanks I htought so and his cd is already gold.

"Lets Stay Together" is a great song and hopefully It'll gain momentum very soon.

[marcjm]

Well, Gold ain't too bad. His last CD went Platinum off the strength of one single primarily.

[George]

I finally found a non-narrated version of his album @ Circuit City today!

[SHOOTER]

That's the version I want.

[George]

Will he get a third single?

[SHOOTER]

coolinout1 said:

Will he get a third single?

Nope. Sony Urban collapsed and he got shifted to Columbia but his promo died in the process. 1 Platinum and 1 Gold plaque on the wall isn't bad at all, though.