Customer Reviews
Lyfe Jennings - 268-192 
2008-04-23
Lyfe is extremely talented. He is a five time apollo champ, and he has an excellent and very articulated tenor voice. And on top of all that he is a excellent guitar player. But the biggest problem with this album, is also its biggest plus, and thats its almost non exsisting commercial appeal. This album has no brightly produced tracks. Almost all of the tracks are produced by Lyfe himself, and the ones that are produced by other producers, are no name producers. Which really sets the mood of the album to be very bland, and very strait forward. Which helps and also hurts. While i believe that Jennings is at his best with the guitar in his hand and a mid to slow tempo track, i still think he could have done a couple of uptempo tracks to keep the listeners interested. Not that this album isnt interesting, its just, the whole "Ghetto Guitar" music, where all it is pretty much is Lyfe strumming away at a guitar with a few hand claps and a couple of bass snares, does get old after a while. Granted, songs like "Hypothetically" is a classic, slow tempo song that really asks the question, what would you do in his situation? And "26 years, 17 Days" is also another classic, with a little more bass and a more mid tempo track. But almost all the other songs are the same old accoustic guitar laced mid tempo tracks about either love or heartache in some way. All i am really trying to say, is Lyfe Jennings is definetly talented, but he needs to add more spice to his music, i am not saying to completely get rid of the guitar thing, because thats where he excells, but add somthing to your album to keep the listener attached next time. This is an alright debut, if it did anything it showed Lyfe does have a great voice and he does have a knack for strong songwriting.
Grade:
C
all about Lyfe 
2008-03-28
upon listening to Lyfe for the first time. it was pretty obvious that i was feeling this cd after only listening to a few songs. But by the time i had listened to it all the way through. I made it in my mind that i will continue to listen to "Lyfe 268-192" for quite sometime and with another release already out and another on the way soon. We'll have many chances to get the maximum exposure of Lyfe Jennings as he writes all about his everyday life experiences (including his time in prison). He writes from the heart and does it on every song on his debut cd. I totally love the cd and his voice. I dont mind that at all he's singing with passion, feeling and thats something that i think most folks won't have a problem with at all.
Excellent work!!
Great CD 
2007-07-27
This CD is nice. The writers did an excellent job. However his voice becomes aggravating after a while so its not an all day repeat type CD for me.
This be the realest thing I ever wrote...... 2007-07-24
Lyfe's debut album is just that -- a reflection of life in itself. Definately a refreshing dose of reality that many of us can relate to. Lyfe has a story to tell, he delivers a message of pain, love, and hope for a better future. In my opinion, this album is up there w/ "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". The lyrics are unique and profound, the music and arrangement are original, and the overall production is very good, especially for a debut album. This is one of those albums that I am thankful to God that I did not sleep on. I remember seeing him on the Apollo and I was moved by "Made Up My Mind", which talks about good old church folk judging and discouraging others by their hyporcrisy. Hopefully you too will not miss out on this one.....
Soul Stirring 2007-03-03
This man's music will have you crying, laughing, and everything in between. One of the best CD's I own. Definitely buying his subsequent album
A Lyfe worth telling about 2007-01-30
Lyfe 268-192 is the debut album from the 5 time Apollo winner Lyfe Jennings. 268-192 referring to his prison identification number, where he served a 10 prison sentence and started a prison music program. This album is the embodiment, of street life to soulful song. The way he paints a picture and tells a story, is gives resemblance to a today's Al Green, with a gritty street tone. The album tells a story of a man's journey, which includes experiences in church, in the streets, in prison, in relationships, and self preservation. Each song is a getaway to the next song and chapter in his story, and if you miss the segway he explains it for you, between each song, effortlessly.
I enjoyed much of this album. You can groove to much of this album, but when you seat back and just listen to what he has to say and what he's talking about, you get a whole new enjoyment. Now his first single released "Stick Up Kid," didn't get much airplay or notice but was very much a good song. In this album's street-tale (not fairytale by no means), my favorites would have to be "Cry," "The Way I Feel About You," and "Hypothetically" feat. Erin. "Hypothetically" explores the questions of what would happen to a relationship "if" either the man or woman, do deceitful things in the relationship, like cheat or lie about paternity.
There was no song that stood out that I truly disliked, but more so didn't agree with. "Greedy" being the anti Baby Mama song, which talks about his baby mama being a "crazy, lazy, lady." He talks about how he wasn't making much money to pay child support and how "this lady" was greedy and went on welfare, instead of working and using that to take care of their kid. He was $6500 behind in child support talking about how she was greedy. Now, I would understand this better if he used better examples on how exactly she was these things, but she actually comes out sounding justified in my opinion, it isn't cheap to raise kids. I'm a single man, and I know "going half on baby similac" as he put it, isn't enough to take care of a child. Maybe I didn't like this song, after all, but I will admit it had catchy lyrics. Other than that I enjoyed this album and this Street-soul singer.
Most Loveably Sexy Cd Ever 2006-11-15
I can really feel Lyfe pouring his heart into this cd which you don;t get from many artist these days. Love this cd would buy it again especially for christmas gifts.
LOVE IT! 2006-11-06
I love this cd and Lyfe Jennings! I like this one better than his new one.
Lyfe keeping it real 2006-10-30
I was put on to Lyfe back in October, the first song I heard was Cry. I kept wondering who was singing this song and when I found out it was the same kidd who won the apollo 6 times I had to go out and buy the CD. As somebody else said it's kinda ruff around the edges but a very good CD. He keeps it real with songs that you can actually relate to and not about how many women he can get or how much money he can make. The way music is today though this artist won't get the respect he deserves in the industry but I can see Lyfe sticking around for some years. GOOD ALBUM GO GET IT.
Close your eyes and listen... 2006-08-21
I love the grittiness in this man's voice--it's strong but vulnerable at the same time. It was refreshing to hear an R&B cd that didn't go into LaLa Land the whole time--he talked about the good, the bad, and even brought up some socially conscious problems (i.e. child support, golddiggers, outside fatherhood, etc.) I am crazy about the song "The Way I Feel About You." My head bobs uncontrollably and my hips start swaying without my permission as soon as I hear the opening beat--that is the BEST song on this whole album. "She Got Kids" was such a dope song to me because I have a constant dilemma when dating men with children, mainly because I don't want children and as I get older, it's harder to find men without them. Lyfe talked about all the not-so-nice thoughts that go into someone's mind when the other party does not have child(ren). "Greedy" and "Made up my Mind" are those songs that are NOT sympathetic, they are just the truth and there are some women out there (as well as men) that need to hear it. I respect anyone who's honest about their thoughts, because what Lyfe proves is that even though you may not WANT to hear it, you sure do NEED to hear it. The rest of the songs on here weren't that great for me, but the ones I've given titles to more than make up for it. I ordered his new cd as soon as it came out!
