LYFE CHANGE

Cons: The older I get, the more aggravated I get with folks rapping about NOTHING. Old school rap used to really talk about issues in the community, in politics, and with substance, so on the song "Old School," Lyfe Jennings represents. Lyfe sings about the shame in people blowing up kids in buildings, credit card debt, gas prices going up, and issues that grown-ups trying to make it go through, and then here comes Snoop. For the life of me, I don't understand the appeal of this dude's rapping. If you ask him to create a freestyle without spelling his name and calling women out of their names, he'd barely have anything to talk about, and it bothers me because in interviews, Snoop seems like a really intelligent dude. However, did he even LISTEN to "Old School" before he did his freestyle? Snoop ruined the whole song talking about how valuable his car is, how somebody shouldn't spill crumbs in it, and volunteering to offer weed. Ugh! That really irritates me to dumb down an intelligent song like "Old School" with a bunch of nonsense. Lyfe, please look at somebody like Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, or Rakim (where is he? I miss Rakim!) the next time you want to make a song like this.

Pros: Minus Snoop, I really enjoyed the imagery with "Old School." Not only did it make me hungry, but I sincerely appreciate artists who hit on relevant issues. Lyfe has such a beautiful and vulnerable voice. The entire album talked about some strong topics (ex. being tested for HIV/AIDS, the economy, religion, looking past the exterior of a person, poverty versus being spoiled, love and lust). I've seen Lyfe perform live at the Taste of Chicago, and although he can carry a concert as well as a CD all on his own, I can't be mad at him for putting impressive lyricist T.I. and one of my favorite emcees Wyclef on this CD, who stuck to the theme of the song.

Lyfe is already an attractive man, so when he makes songs directed to the ladies, there's an automatic smile on my face. It doesn't feel like he's gaming women or insulting them, and the gruff charisma in his style makes songs like "It's Real" even better. I turned that song way up, and it is officially my favorite: Boom boom chicky boom! The baby voice chorus was entertaining, but what I respected was him making a catchy song with a deeper purpose (being weary of your sexual activity). I'm SO glad he came to the music scene! Listening to him sing puts me in an excellent mood. For anybody who has not seen Lyfe live, please check him out. He had hundreds of people swaying back and forth and singing along to his every word, and Lyfe has not been out for a long time, so to do this is incredible. Couples were staring at each other all googly-eyed. Lyfe reminds me of a family picnic: comfortable and familiar.

Ok, i'm no music mogul by any means but i'd like to think i keep up pretty well with CD releases and what not of my favorite artists. i DID NOT KNOW that Lyfe Jennings had a new CD out until i happened to run into Best Buy to cop that new Roots album (also good). This CD was so under promoted, and its a shame cuz this joint is on point. I think this is Lyfe's best album yet. Definitely better than Pheonix, and only a little better than Lyfe 268-192. The entire album is just one big uplift from start to finish. Its one of them feel good albums that really do make you feel good after hearing it. As we've seen from his past work, the man has a way with songs, and he makes some very powerful stuff, and Lyfe Change shows him at the top of his game. The lyrics in all the songs are great, the beats are hot as hell in the summer. I'm tellin you, dont sleep on this album, its worth the money, especially since they marketed it as a "special low priced full length album $8" (thats what I see on the packaging). You wont be disappointed.

Normally I'd list a few songs I thought stood out on this album, but truthfully they are all outstanding, so here are a few of my personal favorites:

Warriors
Never Never Land
Will I Ever
Keep On Dreaming
Cops Up

The guy that stays in the game the longest is the guy who brings CHANGE!I'm loving Lyfe!!!!! His style is so uniquely his that it can not be duplicated. I've been die hard Lyfe fan since 268-192 and this album definitely lives up to his past albums. If you do NOT have any of this cd's GO GET EM!!! A lot of people will be happy to hear that unlike The Phoenix this ablum only has ONE interlude, To have gone from 10 years on lock down to making 3 great albums is phenomenal. The issues that he sings about are real and relatable, and you can hear the soul in each songs. This is my favorite CD right now. He has the makings to be in the game for a LONG TIME!!! I can't really name favorite tracks because I really love them all. I love the live performances on the DVD.