S. Samuel
With recent talk of artists like The-Dream retiring from album making, SOHH reached out to R&B singer Lyfe Jennings to find out if he was motivated by anyone to hang up the microphone for good.
With his upcoming I Still Believe album being his fourth and last solo project, Jennings said it was his break away from the music industry which made him realize he was ready to retire.
“I had actually read an article about that and that was actually my first-time I ever heard about [him retiring too],” Jennings told SOHH referring to Dream. “[I’ve been thinking of retirement] for about a year or something like that especially when I took my two and a half years off and then coming back after having been there, correcting some different things, it just started to feel a little different to me, you know, the whole run around that has to be done to promote an album started getting to me.” (SOHH)
Jennings still sees himself being involved in music despite not wanting to release another album.
“I’m not so much worried about what happens next mainly because I have other things going on besides music and I don’t plan on just stopping doing music period,” Jennings added. “Maybe no more albums and touring but I’ll still do guest features [and] writing for other people.” (SOHH)
Last May, Dream said he wanted to retire from music because of the fans’ lack of interest.
“Nope, there’s not another album, this is it,” Dream said in an interview with Ms. Drama referring to Love King. “Nobody appreciates music so I’m out. I’m out. I’m good, so take that. Like Jay said, maybe y’all will remember me when I fade to black. So it’s out.” (Ms Drama TV)
Recently, Jennings credited his family for playing a large role on inspiring his upcoming retirement.
But despite all his success, Jennings says he’s ready to commit to spending more time with his family. “My kids are at an age where they need me,” Jennings says of his children, who are 5, 4 and 2. “I can’t be on the road for seven to eight months out of the year. But I want to thank my fans for giving me the opportunity to do something I love. And I hope from these four albums, I have given them what they needed.” Once “Believe” is up and running, the Atlanta-based artist wants to spend the next couple of years developing acts on Jesus Swings, including teen R&B trio West Ave. Additional plans include acting (“I just finished my first movie role, which I can’t reveal yet”), launching a children’s book series and supporting the young people’s campaign he initiated, “Stay Busy, Stay Out of Trouble.” (Billboard)
Lyfe Jennings’ I Still Believe is set to drop Tuesday, August 31st.
Listen to Lyfe Jennings’ recent “Statistics” hit below:
