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.
Stick Up Kid
Lyfe Jennings Lyrics
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Looking for somebody I can borrow
Five or ten dollars 'til tomorrow
I'm doing bad ya'll uh-uhn
I just smoked my last pack of cigarettes today
Ever seen a nigga diggin in the ashtray
It's a crumbling and humbling sight to see
I'm doing bad ya'll uh-uhn
And they pass me by-by-by-by-by-by
And have the nerve to wonder why/Chorus: I be robbin' these niggas
I'm a stick-up kid
That's how I live I admit it
I be robbin' these niggas
I'm a stick-up kid
And if you're doing too much I'm coming to get it
See lately I've been thinking bout saving my soul
And do prayers make it to heaven from the ghetto
I asked all my friends but they all say they don't know
It's all bad ya'll
And the preacher talking bout some stuff he don't know
When church done became a fuckin' fashion show
And they won't let a nigga in with these timbos
It's all bad ya'll
[Chorus:]
Nobody knows the trouble I see
Nobody knows but me (3x)
Lyfe Jennings’s song “Stick Up Kid” is a reflection on the despair felt by a man struggling to survive in the inner city. In the song, the singer rolls around in his car, which is a 2-door Monte Carlo. He is looking for someone to borrow five or ten dollars from until tomorrow, highlighting his desperate financial situation. Despite his struggles, people around him drive by with expensive cars, including 23-inch rims and DVDs, and they taunt him by not giving him a ride. As a result, the singer decides to become a stick-up kid, robbing people to ease his poverty. The song is a warning to those in society who wilfully ignore the plight of the poor, and how this can lead to desperation.
The lyrics also illustrate the singer’s religious struggle, highlighting the disconnect between the promises of religion and the reality of life in the ghetto. The singer asks his friends whether prayers from ghetto-dwellers can reach Heaven, and this reflects his disillusionment with religion. He also criticizes preachers who use their church as a fashion show and excludes people like him for wearing Timbos. The song’s chorus, which repeats the words, “I’m a stick-up kid,” underscores the idea of desperation and the lengths people will go to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling in my two-door Monte Carlo
I'm driving around in my car, looking for someone to help me out financially.
Looking for somebody I can borrow, five or ten dollars 'til tomorrow
I'm searching for someone to lend me some money until tomorrow.
I'm doing bad ya'll uh-uhn
I'm in a tough spot right now.
I just smoked my last pack of cigarettes today
I smoked my last cigarette today and I can't afford to buy any more.
Ever seen a nigga diggin' in the ashtray?
I'm so desperate for a cigarette that I'm digging through the ashtray looking for one.
It's a crumbling and humbling sight to see
It's sad and pathetic to see me searching for a cigarette in the ashtray.
And they teasin' me with these 23's and these DVDs in their ride
Other people are flaunting their nice cars and possessions in front of me.
And they pass me by-by-by-by-by-by
They drive right past me as if I don't exist.
And have the nerve to wonder why, I be robbin' these niggas
It's no surprise that I occasionally resort to robbing people who flaunt their wealth in front of me.
I'm a stick-up kid, that's how I live, I admit it
I have turned to a life of crime to get what I want.
And if you're doing too much, I'm coming to get it
If you're flaunting your wealth in front of me, be prepared for me to rob you.
See lately I've been thinking 'bout saving my soul
I've been contemplating my spiritual well-being lately.
And do prayers make it to heaven from the ghetto
I'm questioning whether prayers from someone in the ghetto are heard in heaven.
I asked all my friends, but they all say they don't know
I've asked my friends for their opinion, but they don't have an answer.
It's all bad ya'll
The situation is grim.
And the preacher talking 'bout some stuff he don't know
The preacher is talking about things that he cannot understand, given his privileged position.
When church done became a fucking fashion show
The church has become more about flaunting one's wealth and possessions than about worshiping and serving God.
And they won't let a nigga in with these Timbos
I am not allowed into church because of the shoes I'm wearing, which are associated with the ghetto.
Nobody knows the trouble I see, nobody knows but me.
I am suffering in ways that others cannot understand.
Lyrics © CHESTER JENNINGS DBA LYFE IN MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LYFE JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ElleFoxX
In order for you to understand the song you have to listen to his whole album. He pretty much walks you through his life when we was in jail, when he got out and what happens afterward. So he is not condoning it he speaking about the mistakes he made in his life and how is his on the road to greatness! Next you have the listen to Phoenix ! So please don't judge if you don't understand everyone wasn't perfect and everyone didn't come from a great life and we all made different choices !!
@carleykelly
I agree, I have all his CDs, love his music
@menyonreece5377
you r right about that gabby< life is real that's why he calls himself lyfe jennings
@zeddramann1706
love sis
@flexvsl
its a really good album too
@chrisjames1540
rite
@KayRob9116
Classic. One of the best albums in the 2000s. Very original, raw and sincere. Plus watching his concert in person… man he put on a great live show.
@debbiejones7108
Q😊
@bobbysanders8485
Talent comes in all shapes and forms...
Just cause a person has a tough life and jail time... Dont mean they cant come out on top like Lyfe J. Did.. im proud of him.... This song is very true and god bless all brothas out there maintaining....stay strong
@JayJay-lh1td
💪💪💪