As 2017 approaches, artists across the globe gear up for "their best year yet." While most of the artists don't have plan or something big dropping, LYFE does. He plans on dropping his debut album which will include his best music to date along with making moves behind-the-scenes. Learn more about him below.

UHH: Tell me a bit about yourself.

LYFE: Well, I was born & raised in Brooklyn “Crown Heights/Bushwick” to be exact. I am the fourth child of my mom's kids five kids probably the 10th from my father side lol he was a rolling stone in his days. I’ve been a fan of music for as long as I can remember I always tell people I am a fan before being an artist I love all types of music esp Jazz, Hip-Hop of course and a little Rock etc. My favorite brand right now is Twenty One Pilots and Maroon 5 of all time ”Oh” Can’t forget Green Day, Fall out boys & Kings of Leon. I am a very passionate person I put 110% into everything I do. My motto is GO HARD OR GO HOME!!!

How did you come up with the name LYFE? Does it stand for something?

Haha, it’s funny when I have to explain this story. When I first started out writing music my original name was Boss Don D. That came back when Max B was the man in the streets & he had this whole gang green movement going so, I was kinda emulating the wave god at the time “Shout to Max he’ll be home soon.” So, that name came & gone realizing the name wasn’t fitting me so I eventually changed it to J Stackz the J coming from the J in my middle name “James” I got clowned for it a little so it was back to the drawing boards then after a while I started calling myself D LYFE going to shows the announcer would call my name i would see people’s react before and after getting off the stage and I started to see that people were beginning to warm up to the name. Then one day I was having a conversation with one of my mentors and he suggested I drop the D in my name so that people won’t mistake the “D” for being DRUG LYFE, DOPE LYFE etc which made a lot of sense so the “D” in D LYFE got dropped and I ran with LYFE, Not LYFE Jennings just LYFE which stands for “Living Your Freedom Everyday."

Who were some of your biggest influences growing up? Artists?

Umm, So many… Well, when I was young in the early 90’s I can remember listening to Tupac & Eminem. My moms would be in the back room yelling turn that s*** off lol she never liked Tupac thought he was a thug & a gangster but she just didn’t understand. I listened to a lot of Jay-Z. I would steal my brothers CD’s I believe that was around the time when The Blueprint 1& 2 came out I would hide his cd’s in my bag so I could rock out on my way going to school. I remember buying my very FIRST Cd in the early 2000’s I purchased Eminem Encore album i was hype I listened to that album so much back to back my brothers & sister use to tight, So Pac, Jay z, Eminem top 3 biggest influences but the list goes on..

 Why did you start making music professionally?

Back in 2008 I just had my son I was still going to school & working at McDonalds lyfe somehow took a bad turn things began to spiral out I end up homeless for bout 3/4yrs and no one knew except a few close people so I developed a lot of anger due to these circumstances and I would lash out on friends family & love ones then till one day while I was in the shelter (Oddesey House) my counselor (Ms. Muhammad) suggested I start writing my thoughts out to vent. Writing became mycovenantt a safe house and from then the rest is history.

How has Brooklyn formed you as an artist?

Being from Brooklyn taught me how to strive to be GREAT & survive through any storm. This city is a fast pace city so when i’m on the street or at shows I hustle to gain the attention and the ear of the people, Being homeless was a way for me to connect with myself, find out who i am as a man & a musician and take my pain & my struggles put em in into lyrical for to help someone else who’s in a worst position than I was get through their struggle and also show em through it all to have heart and remain strong. Find something you love to do whatever it is that you love and turn it into something everyone can relate to coz i know we all have the same stories just different views.

What are your thoughts on the current state of hip-hop in NYC?

Sigh, Well i believe the CULTURE has evolved and broadened since the early days in hip hop and their are many talented artists out now such as..Dave East, DYME-A-DUZIN, Young MA, A Boogie, 2 Milly, Joey Baddass (So on so forth) etc…I believe New York is making a come back going back to that New York sound that we all grew up listening to so i can’t say much I’m just working towards adding my name to that long line of New York emcees continuing that lyrical culture.

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What is your favorite album of all time? And this year?

My favorite “Albums” of all time i would have to say “ Coz i have so many” is Nas Illmatic & Jay z Reasonable Doubt. Both albums was like listening to a story around a camp fire each story made you wanna hear the next one, I love how the album was designed and how many great producers took part in history.

As of now, I would have to say J Cole "Forest Hills Drive” Man, That album made me literally tear up that Intro was one of the most touching songs i’ve ever heard in a very long time J Cole is a very great artist and someone i look up to as a artist myself he’s down to earth and real with the things that he speaks about in his music, So yea..Forest Hills Drive right now best album to me.

What can we expect from your upcoming EP?

Love, This Ep was made with LOVE, Love that i have for the music, love for the people who have love for me in vis versa love for those who don’t love themselves. You can expect nothing but good music something for you to listen to something for you to get away with something you can share with your friends & family something where you can begin to know LYFE & LYFEitself...

When does it drop?

Right now, I haven’t picked a final date but soon.

Describe your sound in 3 words.

Passion. Hunger. New York.

What's next for LYFE?

The World & Everything In It

Connect with LYFE
Facebook.com/LYFEasweknoeit
Twitter.com/LYFEasweknoeit_
Instagram.com/LYFEasweknoeit