Lyfe 268‒192 Explained

Lyfe 268‒192
Type:studio
Artist:Lyfe Jennings
Cover:Lyfe Jennings - Lyfe 268-192.jpg
Released: (original release)
(re-release)
Length:54:13
Label:Columbia
Producer:Lyfe Jennings
Next Title:The Phoenix
Next Year:2006

Lyfe 268‒192 is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Lyfe Jennings. It was released on August 17, 2004, by Columbia Records. The album's title contains the numbers "268–192", the identification number of which he was given, while he was incarcerated. To date, the album has sold at least one million copies in the United States.[1]

Release

In July 2005, Columbia re-released the album in a DualDisc format, featuring a live footage and a documentary on a day in the life of Lyfe Jennings. In November 2005, it was reported that the label were planning a "fan pack" edition of the album for the December 2005 release, including a new version of "Hypothetically" featuring Fantasia; as well as live footage from Jennings July 2005 House of Blues performance and music videos for "Stick Up Kid", "Must Be Nice", and "Hypothetically".

Critical reception

Upon its release, the album received critical acclaim.[2] AllMusic editor David Jeffries fround that "a couple tracks" on Lyfe 268‒192 "refuse to get to the point and too much narration gives sections of the album the repeat listening appeal of an audio book. It could have been tighter and more approachable, but few debuts hold this much promise."

Commercial performance

In its thirty-fifth week on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, dated April 30, 2005, Lyfe 268‒192 rose from number 14 to number 10, officially breaking the top 10 for the first time.[3] In a profile of Jennings in their November 19, 2005 issue, Billboard reported that the album's sales stood at 763,000 copies in the United States.[4]

Track listing

All tracks written and produced by Lyfe Jennings, except where noted.

Charts

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for Lyfe 268‒192
Chart (2005) Position
US Billboard 200[5] 91
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] 18

Notes and References

  1. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957604/is-lyfe-jennings-ready-for-retirement 'Is Lyfe Jennings Ready For Retirement?'
  2. Mitchell . Gail . Reviews: LYFE JENNINGS - The Phoenix . Billboard . August 19, 2006 . 118 . 33 . 39 . April 8, 2023.
  3. Between the Bullets: 'Must Be Nice' to Reach Top 10 . Billboard . April 30, 2005 . 117 . 17 . 56 . April 9, 2023.
  4. Mitchell . Gail . Convict Turned Troubador . Billboard . November 19, 2005 . 117 . 47 . 30–31 . April 9, 2023.
  5. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2005. Billboard. September 23, 2020.
  6. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2005. Billboard. September 23, 2020.