Jennings began singing at a young age in a Toledo church choir. He later joined a group called The Dotsons with two of his cousins and his older brother, Jay. The group separated in the early 1990s, and Jennings rediscovered music and started a music program at an Ohio prison where he was serving a ten-year sentence on an arson-related charge. He has cited Erykah Badu's 1997 album Baduizm as one of the reasons for his rediscovery. Jennings was released from prison in December 2002 and started to pursue a solo career in music. In January 2003, he performed in Harlem at the Showtime at The Apollo. The same year, he also independently released his first EP, What Is Love. To further pursue his career, Jennings moved to New York City where he performed at rapper Nelly's concert at Radio City Music Hall, at an NAACP convention where he performed an original song called "Thank God for the NAACP", and at the Cafeteria in Chelsea, Manhattan during the blackout on August 14. He signed with Columbia Records and released his debut album Lyfe 268-192 (268-192 was his inmate number) in August 2004. His first single was Stick Up Kid, which didn't see much sucess until after the album was released. The album featured his hit single "Must Be Nice". Jennings' second album The Phoenix was released in August 2006. The first single, "S.E.X.", feautures Jennings' protégé, singer LaLa Brown.
Greedy
Lyfe Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since child support saw fit to put out a warrant on me
Say I owe 'em sixty five hundred and they want they money
And it's so funny 'cause they know
I ain't got that kinda dough
Like it's my fault that she got on welfare
I told her we can go half on the similac and the daycare
But no, she got comfortable at the bottom and wanted to stay there
[Chorus]
Oh, this crazy, lazy lady
Is using this baby for revenge and money
And I don't think it's funny that she plays the innocent mother
When it's the other way around
She ain't needy
She greedy
They say when I start back working they gonna take all my dough
And then they wonder well what the hell I ain't working fo'
All of this attention on tis' boy 'bout some back child support
When they killing each other by the dozens everyday just for sport
With bills stacked up to his chinny-chin-chin summoning him to court
Then all of his friends call him a worry-wart
Now all the money they gave her, I gotta give it back
Like I was the one living rent free and getting food stamps
Whoooo
[Chorus]
Say it again ya'll
Get your own Ma
Get your own Ma
You just greedy
[Chorus]
In Lyfe Jennings's song 'Greedy', the lyrics narrate the story of a man who is in a tough situation because of his child support payments. The child support is demanding a sum of $6,500 from him, and he doesn't have that kind of money. He is frustrated that he is being accused of not providing for his child when he did offer to share the cost of childcare with the mother. However, she refused and chose to depend on welfare. The man is now worried that child support will take all his money when he goes back to work, yet they're making things difficult for him by constantly summoning him to court. He feels powerless as his friends call him a worrywart while he has a huge financial burden on his shoulders.
The chorus highlights how the mother is playing the victim while she is only using their child to get revenge and money. The man accuses her of being greedy as she ignores his circumstances and demands that he pays her money that he simply doesn't have. Through these lyrics, Lyfe Jennings addresses the issue of child support while also highlighting the bigger problems that low-income individuals face.
Line by Line Meaning
See I'm a wanted man barely living in these streets
I am an individual who is struggling to survive and live in these streets while also being wanted for legal reasons.
Since child support saw fit to put out a warrant on me
As a result of child support, a warrant has been issued for my arrest.
Say I owe 'em sixty five hundred and they want they money
I owe six thousand five hundred dollars, and they are demanding their money from me.
And it's so funny 'cause they know
The situation is ironic because they know very well that I do not have that kind of money.
I ain't got that kinda dough
I do not have that amount of money.
Like it's my fault that she got on welfare
For some reason, the blame for her being on welfare is being placed on me.
I told her we can go half on the similac and the daycare
I suggested that we share the financial responsibility of providing for our child's needs, such as formula and childcare.
But no, she got comfortable at the bottom and wanted to stay there
However, she declined my offer and preferred to remain reliant on welfare assistance.
And I don't know how this gonna turn out so ya'll keep me in your prayers
I am unsure of how this will end, but I request that you keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
[Chorus] Oh, this crazy, lazy lady Is using this baby for revenge and money And I don't think it's funny that she plays the innocent mother When it's the other way around She ain't needy She greedy
The woman in question is using our child as a tool for personal gain and revenge which is neither amusing nor innocent, but rather selfish and manipulative.
They say when I start back working they gonna take all my dough
The authorities have warned me that when I start working, they will seize all of my earnings.
And then they wonder well what the hell I ain't working fo'
They question why I am not working despite confiscating my income.
All of this attention on tis' boy 'bout some back child support
There is an excessive amount of attention being paid to me in relation to the child support I owe.
When they killing each other by the dozens everyday just for sport
Despite the ongoing violence and murders that occur daily for no apparent reason, the authorities are focused on me for my child support debts.
With bills stacked up to his chinny-chin-chin summoning him to court
I have numerous bills to pay and have been summoned to court because of my situation.
Then all of his friends call him a worry-wart
My friends mock and tease me for being overly anxious and concerned about my problems.
Now all the money they gave her, I gotta give it back
I now have to reimburse the government for the money they provided to the mother of my child.
Like I was the one living rent free and getting food stamps
Although I did not receive any assistance, I am being held responsible for her actions.
Whoooo
Expressing frustration or disbelief.
[Chorus] Say it again ya'll Get your own Ma Get your own Ma You just greedy
The chorus repeats that the woman in question is simply greedy and should provide for herself rather than relying on child support funds as a means of revenge.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LYFE JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind