Ryan Leslie

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Ryan Leslie

Background information
Birth name Anthony Ryan Leslie
Also known as R-Les, Ryan Leslie
Born September 25, 1978 (1978-09-25) (age 29)
Origin Harlem, New York
Genre(s) R&B, hip hop
Occupation(s) Music producer
Singer-songwriter/ musical arranger
Years active 2000–present
Label(s) NextSelection
Bad Boy
Universal
Website http://www.ryanleslie.com/

Anthony Ryan Leslie (born on September 25, 1978, in Washington, D.C.) is an American music producer and singer. Founder of the marketing and media company NextSelection, Leslie is best known for his production work with NextSelection/Bad Boy/Atlantic Records recording artist Cassie and her single "Me & U".

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Ryan Leslie grew up all over the western United States moving frequently as his parents were ministers in The Salvation Army. While attending public school in Stockton, California at age 14 he found out his parents were moving once again. Rather than having to attend a fifth school, he decided to finish his sophomore year and then enroll in college. Leslie attended Harvard University in the fall of 1994 at 15 years old and graduated at the age of 19 with a degree in Government and Economics.[1] He now lives in Harlem, New York.

[edit] Producer

Ryan Leslie's production style mainly utilizes real in-studio instruments while still achieving the same futuristic style of beat machines. [2]

Leslie's production history spans several contemporary music genres, including hip hop, R&B, pop, gospel, and dancehall. Production credits include Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Cassie, JoJo, Nina Sky, Danity Kane, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Donell Jones, Katharine McPhee, New Edition, One Chance, B5, Cheri Dennis, Latif, Megan Rochell and M. Pokora. [3]

He is currently writing songs for singer/songwriter Usher.

[edit] Singer

Ryan Leslie signed a recording contract with Universal Records when he was an unknown artist looking for his big break. In 2005, he began recording his debut album entitled Just Right. He released two singles off the album, "The Way That U Move Girl" and "Used 2 Be" featuring rapper Fabolous but the songs did not chart. However, due to the singles performing poorly in the US, the album was shelved for the US market and released as a promo, and in Europe the album was released on November 1, 2005.

Leslie returned to the studio in 2007, to begin recording his sophomore album. He recorded the song "Diamond Girl" which will be released as his first mainstream single on May 2008. The video became available on April 16, 2008 on the Universal Music Group Youtube Channel. His self-titled debut album will be released in August 2008, the date has been shifted to create some buzz over his new single Addiction (featuring Cassie). In February 2008, G-Unit released the song "Bottom Girl" a remix of the original.[4] In November 2007, he released a video for a song named "I-R-I-N-A".[5] Whether the song will appear on the album cannot be confirmed.

[edit] YouTube Blogger

RyanLeslieTV is his official YouTube channel. His other channel, Ns4life, is a daily video journal about the NextSelection Lifestyle Group.

In October 2006, YouTube user boh3m3 posted a video questioning the legitimacy of Leslie's YouTube popularity. In the video, boh3m3 alleged Leslie had created fake YouTube accounts to inflate the number of people subscribed to his channel, RyanLeslieTV.[6]

The ensuing controversy resulted in YouTube temporarily removing Leslie from their "Most Subscribed" rankings. Leslie later released a statement via YouTube's community news channels denying any wrongdoing.[7]

After completing an investigation, YouTube fully reinstated Leslie's account.[8] As of February 2008, Leslie ranks as the 91st-most subscribed YouTube channel.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Just Right

  • Released: November 1, 2005 (Europe)
  • Chart positions: N/A
  • U.S. sales: N/A

Ryan Leslie

  • Scheduled release: August 26, 2008
  • Chart positions: TBA
  • U.S. sales: TBA

[edit] Singles

Year Title Chart Positions Album
U.S. Hot 100 US R&B U.S. Pop 100
2005 "The Way That U Move Girl!" - - - Just Right
"Used 2 Be" (featuring Fabolous) - - -
2007 "Diamond Girl" 95 35 - Ryan Leslie
2008 "Addiction" (featuring Cassie & Fabolous) - 75 -

[edit] Mixtapes

  • 2005: The Talented Mr. Leslie'
  • 2006: The Official Next Selection Mixtape
  • 2008: " Featuring Matt Pokora - Don't Give My Love Away (Feat. Ryan Leslie)"
  • 2008: Addicted

[edit] Selected production credits

[edit] Guest vocals

  • "Can't Let This Go On" by Anaya
  • "Kiss Me" by Cassie
  • "Just One Nite" by Cassie
  • "Me & U (Ryan Leslie Remix)" by Cassie
  • "Sometimes" by Cassie
  • "U Think U Know" by Latif
  • "Ride 4 Me" by Lex
  • "Choose Us" by Nelson
  • "Serious" by Nelson
  • "6 Of 1 Thing (Remix)" by Craig David

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Ryan Leslie Interview - - Part 2. About.com (2006-06-22). Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  2. ^ Ryan Leslie in the studio
  3. ^ Interview with Ryan Leslie
  4. ^ G-Unit Bottom Girl
  5. ^ "Irina" Music Video at YouTube
  6. ^ Producer Ryan Leslie Accused of Creating YouTube Accounts to Hype RyanLeslie TV : VIBE.com
  7. ^ YourTube's 'A message from RyanLeslieTV' at YouTube
  8. ^ RyanLeslieTV is Too Legit 2 Quit at YouTube

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Ryan Leslie
Discography
Albums: Ryan Leslie
Singles: "The Way You Move Girl!" · "Used 2 Be" (featuring Fabolous)" · "Diamond Girl" · "Addiction"