Monique Hepburn, News Editor
Lyfe Jennings sings a song from his album 'Lyfe 268-192' on opening night at the 2006 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. The title of the album refers to his former prison number.
WESTERN BUREAU:
A 'TOGETHER brother', Lyfe Jennings has emerged from a troubled and desolate past to become a stirring and creative alternative rhythm and blues artiste of critical acclaim.
There was no mistaking his talent, flow and charisma when on Thursday night the 26-year-old held the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues audience in his grip, professing life lessons way beyond his years. A hit with the crowd, the singer gave them all he had, sparing no secrets.
In baring his soul and, as he puts it, "talking about things that people think about but won't say", Lyfe delivered the soulful and riveting She Got Kids, reminding men and stepfathers to have respect for a woman and the children who are not theirs. Hard knock realities of the street were delved into through 26 Years, 17 Days.
Passionate, sweet and silky characterised his flow, which held the ladies with tunes such as Must Be Nice and I Can't. His unmistakable vocal prowess was not to be outdone by his abilities on the guitar, to which patrons where also treated.
At 16 years old, Jennings was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but served eight months and 13 days. It was during his imprisonment that he made a turnaround and, like the fabled phoenix, rose from the fire and ash. The self-taught musician plays the guitar, bass and piano, and is now a
celebrated singer/songwriter and producer.
"This is really a thing where people come to the end of a road and they give up. Some people just take that one blessing and they work with it," Jennings told The Sunday Gleaner. "I think that is what I did; I just said 'man, look, you are wasting your talent with this nonsense that could keep you away from your family', so it is best for me to just try to do something positive," he said.
MESSAGE OF POSITIVE RENEWAL
The entertainer explained that he brings the message of positive renewal in his music and extends it to his infant son, who fittingly is named Phoenix.
"The message I bring to him is that no matter what you go through we can definitely come back like the phoenix," he said.
With a duet with Alicia Keyes expected soon, as well as a movie role, Jennings is packing in the projects. He is also a producer on an upcoming LL Cool J album, as well as his next album, set to drop in June.
