Star Power. Some people have it and some don't, and some pretend they do. Ten years ago, Lyfe Jennings was living the life of a prison inmate. Today you'll find this rising star cutting a track with "American Idol" winner Fantasia, introducing his video (for his second single, "Hypothetically") on "106 & Park" and preparing for his 30-city tour (which launches October 27). That's power, when you can turn your life around from NoWheresville and head straight to Hittsville. This is your life, Lyfe Jennings.

It's possible his road to Star Power began when he won an unprecedented five times at "Showtime At The Apollo." Or, it may have begun smack in the middle of the penitentiary, where his passion for music led him to rise far and above the walls around him. It could be it goes back even further when he was part of a boy band before he took that foreboding detour.

Ask Lyfe how he landed in prison and he'll tell you "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people." Knowing the almost irreversible pitfalls of doing time, it's miraculous in itself he came out with not only an incredible attitude, but also the uncanny ability to be at the right place at the right time with the right people, and the right pieces of music. Thus his deal with Sony Urban and his slow but definite ascension into record sales (he's certified gold and approaching platinum), concert dates and all the trappngs that come with being... a star.

Born in Toledo Ohio, Lyfe grew up in a working class family, the middle of five kids. He first began singing in church and, by the time he was a teen, he'd joined "The Dotsons," a

small family vocal act consisting of his older brother and two cousins. With a sound similar to New Edition, the boy band won local talent shows and recorded a demo, which Lyfe laughs, "went nowhere." Yet despite the lack of success, Lyfe was getting offers from local producers to go solo. Those dreams came to an abrupt halt when at 16, Lyfe, who'd fallen in with bad company, was sentenced to a jail sentence that resulted in him serving 10 years, eight months and 13 days hard time. It was while inside the joint that Lyfe discovered that music was more than a hobby. It would be his salvation.
While serving time, Lyfe learned how to play guitar, wrote songs and set up music programs for other inmates. He also performed his songs and was allowed to entertain at prison-sanctioned functions and charity events. As Lyfe grew from boyhood to manhood, his material got deeper and more introspective and music became his main focus.
"We'd only get out for two hours a day and I'd be sitting at a table next to the recreation yard," Lyfe remembers. "It's sunny as hell and I'd see folks doing fun stuff and I'd be like, 'Damn! I wanna be out there just kicking it! But I'm doing this music and I knew it was gonna pay off. So I'd tell myself, When I get out, I'm gonna have a lot of time to play ball, but I'm only gonna have this time to concentrate, so I'd rather do this. Which I did."
The prison administration was supportive, hooking Lyfe up with equipment and video to tape his "gigs." As Lyfe's sentence was drawing to a close, he asked the authorities if they could compile a reel of his shows so that he could submit it to "Showtime In Harlem," formerly "Showtime At the Apollo." Making an exception to strict policy, the warden agreed and soon Lyfe's performances reached executives on the show. As fate would have it, two days before Lyfe was to go home, he heard back from Apollo powers-that-be, who told him they were willing to overlook the formal audition process and booked him for the show. After winning five times in a row, a record deal with Sony Urban followed.
"Lyfe 268-192" is the title of his 15-track album, which is part inspiration, part consternation and a whole lot of soul... that old-flavored soul sprinkled with street savvy from a still young man who has already seen a good share of ups and downs and turn-arounds. This is his life and he shares it with a raw yet gentle sincerity, from the compassion of "Cry" (which Apollo audiences loved) to the Sam Cooke vibe of the melodic and rich R&B track "Smile."
Graced with a poet's heart, a hustler's instincts and a voice that captures the essence of REAL soul, Lyfe tells his story on "Lyfe 268-192," which is named after his prison number.
"You can talk about something real and relevant and still get some record spins," he explains. "You don't have to be talking about ass-shaking and diamonds. That's fine but not everybody has to talk about that. I want people to know that they ain't the only one going through something. Sure we all might know that, but a lot of times you need to have it confirmed."
Preach!
Just a few weeks away from a massive major tour (30 cities), Lyfe took some time out to talk with Starpoynt.
STAR - Did you study music beyond singing while you were in high school?
LYFE - No I didn't have any formal musical training. I self taught myself guitar and keyboard and bass in prison.

STAR - What's biggest lesson you got out of being incarcerated?
LYFE - One of the biggest lessons ... some thing aren't changeable, s o make sure anything you are going to