Ayo, you…

Have we been a little tough on Lyfe Jennings?

A few weeks ago, I noticed a viral post of the homie giving a … less that stellar vocal performance at a show. That was weird to me because my wife and I saw him live in the late 00s and it was one of the better shows I’ve ever attended. It was just Lyfe on a stool, telling stories and singing. It was intimate, insightful and incredibly soulful.

When I think of Lyfe, that’s what I picture.

Lyfe’s struggles have long been documented – his troubles with the law have shaped his entire career. And whether he’s telling cautionary tales about how to live and love better, or beefin’ with babymommas and ending up on World Star, I’ve always appreciated his openness, even when I’m critical of his crash-outs.

It’s easy to dwell on Lyfe’s shortcomings but I’ve always given him his kudos for owning his mistakes and channeling those lessons through his music. The result is one of the more overlooked R&B runs of the 2000s. For about 15 years, Lyfe regularly delivered albums after album like clockwork, many of them still standing the test of time. Let’s look back at all of them, from bottom to top.

7. 777 (2019)

Soul In Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: Lyfe’s final album to date is a different experience that many that came before it. There are a ton of guests – Tank and Boosie among them, with Bobby V and Algebra Blessett making multiple appearances too – but the results are mixed. The album leans more into the trends of the day instead of Lyfe’s usual penchant to buck sonic trends. And that let us not forget that infamous “Slave” song, which continues to age like milk on a sunny windowsill with each passing moment. That said, this is still a Lyfe project, so we still get that OG wisdom and meaningful straight talk about relationships. It’s just too bad Lyfe feels like he’s going through the motions.

Forgotten favorites: “Never Meant,” “Dream,” “On God (Interlude)”

6. Tree of Lyfe (2015)

Soul In Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: The Tree of Lyfe album cover always creeped me out. It looks like an enemy from a Final Fantasy game.

See what I mean?

Unfortunately, that cover serves to be one of the more memorable things about this project. Don’t get me wrong, there are some solid tracks – the duet with Demetria McKinney soars and the frustration that pours from “#Hashtag” feels like it could have been written in modern-day 2025. But it lacks the biting commentary and standout soulfulness of his better releases. It’s just aight. But don’t miss “#Hashtag.”

Forgotten favorites: “#Hashtag,” “Talkin About Love,” “Pretty Is”

5. Lyfe Change (2008)

Soul In Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Lyfe Chagne isn’t just a cute title. On album No. 3, Lyfe decided it was time to switch up his formula, welcoming outside production and writers into the room instead of handling everything himself. Lyfe’s trademark empowering messages and real-talk relationship advice are still intact (you don’t hear too many songs warning about unprotected sex in this era)  but the album cuts are a bit weaker than the previous two projects. Singles like “Cops Up,” “Never Never Land” and “Will I Ever” keep things afloat though. Lyfe Change didn’t age as well as I had hoped (I wore it out in 08) but there are strong moments throughout.

Forgotten favorites: “Old School,” “Brand New,” “Will I Ever”

4. Lucid (2013)

Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: I’m beautiful, I’m successful, I’m worthy of being loved – that’s the message that echos from the intro track “I Am,” and shines throughout Lucid, another step-by-step book-let for you to get your love game on track. By album No. 5, Lyfe had found his groove. His writing remains creative yet grounded, like warning of karma’s backlash on “Boomerang” and the very bitter but understandable venom he spits toward his ex on “I Wish.” Lucid’s abbreviated runtime plays to its advantage – it’s a strong sampling of early 2010s R&B that doesn’t wear out its welcome.

Forgotten favorites: “Boomerang,” “I Am,” “Famous”

3. The Phoenix (2006)

Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Lyfe’s sophomore outing applies a rougher edge to his love tales. Hip-hop, gospel and even a bit of rock influences shape The Phoenix, but at its core, it’s still the emotionally vulnerable Lyfe that won us over a couple of years earlier. It’s a much different feel but remains close enough to the original template that it feels familiar. A word of warning, though: Make sure you skip the version of the LP that has interludes between every song. I understand Lyfe’s intention there – the spoken word pieces help shape album’s storytelling but it drags out the listening experiencing.

Forgotten favorites: “I’ll Always Love You,” “Biggie N****,” “More Than a Girl”

2. I Still Believe (2010)

Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Yep, it’s the “Statistics” album! The project’s second single is rightfully remembered as the highlight but there’s a lot more substance here than it gets credit for. Lyfe is at his most vulnerable as he reminds listeners to embrace life’s struggles on tracks like “It Coulda Been Worse” and the strength that comes from adversity on “Done Crying.” He has no problem admitting he’s the bad guy when he knows others can grow from his mistakes. I Still Believe is the most consistent release we’ve gotten since his celebrated debut. And speaking of…

Forgotten favorites: “If I Knew Then, What I Know Now,” “Done Crying,” “Learn From This”

1. Lyfe 268-192 (2004)

Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Named after his ID number from his incarceration, Lyfe 268-192 is a story of redemption. Lyfe’s debut sets the tone for his style – the soft beauty of love, the hard truths about relationships and ramifications of living the fast life. I’ve said it for more than 20 years now but “She Got Kids” is the most honest narrative of the joys and fears that come with dating a woman who already has children. It’s raw, real and effortlessly soulful. Yeah, we all know “Must Be Nice” and “Hypothetically” still pops up occasionally, but there are many more powerful message here. Lyfe 268-192 is one the most underrated R&Bs gems of the 2000s and one of my personal faves of the era.

Forgotten favorites: “She Got Kids,” “I Can’t,” “Let’s Do This Right”

We all know the debut is dope, but how would you rank Lyfe’s albums? Let us know below!