The fact that I'm eligible for a VMA this year is incredible to me. A nomination could only happen with your help ladies and gentleman. Click the banner below to vote for a new artist that took his creative vision into his own hands:
...and here it is: I present with great pleasure the first of my two "Diamond Girl" videos below. I remember seeing a video of James Brown performing on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1966. As I was watching, I decided that I wanted to perform on that EXACT stage in my video. I commissioned a replica to be built and the result is below:
The countdown is officially on. I got signed in 2003, and now 5 years later - the album I've prepared my whole life to release is coming out.
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Moving on...Me (the Artist), Myself (the Producer), and I (the Engineer) get together in the studio almost every day to create music. Included here are a few of the most popular sessions (I film them all).
FEATURED: Here's an exclusive look at the making of "Addiction" - stayed up all nite ('til 8am) going crazy in the studio, producing, writing, arranging and making it all happen:
Ryan Leslie Creating "Addiction"
1. Reviewing the footage from the original "Diamond Girl" session revealed that it was possible to edit the video with an interesting twist: as though all of my alter egos were recording the song simultaneously, and even interacting with one another.
Ryan Leslie Creating "Diamond Girl"
This is my first car - a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T. I still own it and drive it from time to time in the summer. I installed a very loud stereo system and listen to my mixes while driving through New York city turning heads:
2. Making music for Cassie is always inspiring because she's not only the flagship artist of the NextSelection brand, she's the first artist that really spread my music to the mainstream. Here's a clip of the making of "Sometimes" - a song that's been played over 5 million times on her profile. This clip is especially meaningful because I made this record in Sony Studio B before the whole place closed down in 2007. I was one of the last producers to work out of that legendary room.
Ryan Leslie Makes "Sometimes" for Cassie
After checking the vids above, I'm positive you can see the love I have for this music. This would be a perfect time to go get my single from the iTunes store or gift it to a friend. Your support makes it possible for me to continue making music for a living:
3. I used a Hammond organ with a Leslie speaker for this instrumental. The sound of the huge speaker with 'Doppler effect based' vibrato, tremolo and chorus effects was very moving. The second half of the clip was filmed on the day I was photographed for Men's Health magazine. You can see that I'm wearing the same suit in the article to the right.
Ryan Makes a Track w/the Leslie Organ
Traveling has brought me a wealth of experiences. In fact, many of my most memorable performances have been overseas. It's funny, American Express closed my first account with them because I couldn't pay the bill. I was young and had no idea how to handle my finances. Took 7 years to get that mark off my credit report. Now I use AmEx all the time when I travel (and to spontaneously buy musical instruments - see "I Gets Money" video below). Evan Rogers shot this ad during my first trip to Milan. If you can dream it - you can do it:
4. Here's a clip of me working in my pre-production studio on a song called "I Gets Money". I did this before I'd heard 50's hit song of almost the same name. Though it's been highly requested, it was only released on a TapeMaster's Inc. mixtape...Regardless, had a blast making this one with all the parts:
Ryan Leslie Creating "I Gets Money"
My album is currently scheduled to drop September 16th, 2008. I've put together a show that is influenced by all of my favorite performers. Here's an out-take from a Vibe magazine photo shoot by Miko Lim in which I'm channeling one of them:
5. This is a my version of a break-up song. If you're going through one or have been through one - I'm sure you can relate.
Ryan Leslie - "Promise Not To Call"
This article in Remix magazine describes my creative process and also presents (in my opinion) one of the most honest reflections of my attitude towards my career thus far. It was published just after Cassie's debut album was released.
6. A good songwriting experience for me requires imagination and an open mind. I'll sometimes sing unintelligible syllables to lay down a guide melody during the creative process. Here's an amusing example of this with my voice running through a very strict pitch correction processor:
Ryan Leslie Making "Gibberish"
In recent interviews, I've been getting quite a few questions about my personal style. I've been accustomed to wearing custom clothing since I was very young. The whir of my mother's sewing machine put me to sleep many nights. Once, she even made me a pair of M.C. Hammer-style parachute pants. Now, my shirts are custom made in London, suits hand made in Naples, and all of my jeans custom made by my great friend and personal tailor Roger Hinds. Here's a shot of the jeans matched with a blazer and a white shirt at an party in Milan hosted by Tom Ford, who shook my hand that night and said he thought I had great style. That's one undeniably fashionable co-sign:
7. This next clip was shot very, very early one morning by my friend Guillaume Doubet. I was about to leave the studio when the concept for this song took over...it was 48 hours before Valentine's day:
Ryan Leslie - "Valentine"
I'd never read New York magazine until a journalist named Seth Stevenson called one day and told me his editor had instructed him to interview me for the publication. I didn't know it at the time, but New York magazine profiles some of the most intriguing personalities in Gotham City. I'm now a subscriber.
God bless all of you who've believed in me since I started my page in 2005. Thanks to your support, Billboard magazine says I've produced my own hit! Click the article below to track "Diamond Girl" chart positions on Billboard.com:
Support my single so I can re-invest in making more music and entertainment for all of you to enjoy. Click the picture below or the following link to BUY DIAMOND GIRL ON iTUNES.
I'm currently on the road promoting my forthcoming album and I will rock your club, theater, or stadium. Serious inquiries - click the image below to e-mail my booking reps:
March 28, 2008 marked a milestone for me in my career. I performed as Ryan Leslie the artist on television for the first time. BET invited me to rock "Diamond Girl" on the stage at Spring Bling. I debuted my signature spin on the 'Rides, Rims & Runways' show. Click the photo to visit the Official BET Spring Bling Site:
I rock shades in honor of one of my greatest musical inspirations, Stevie Wonder. These over-sized vintage Alpina aviators were part of the third collection of frames I picked up from Corey Shapiro, my dealer in Canada. Click the image to read my Gen F feature in FADER magazine.
I've been producing, arranging, writing and recording music since my early teens. My most successful record, "Me & U", was recorded and performed by a multi-talented young woman who many of you know thanks to that song: Cassie. I consider her a very dear friend.
Artist or business, man? Both. NextSelection, the media company I run, provides a platform for talented content creators to showcase their art to the world. Men's Health magazine calls me a guy who "made it". I consider myself a guy who "makes it happen". Click the image or the following link for the full article.
This is what happens when the NextSelection promotion squad announces that you're going to be in Times Square. On the left in the photo below is Sam Kochman, looking like a secret service agent. Incredible how a small group of fans grows to a mob when you give away flyers, sign autographs, and take pictures:
I've kept the following article since I graduated from college. I was 19 in the picture. That studio was in the basement of my college dorm. I was actually stunned that they wanted to feature me in the school paper for the graduation issue. If you've seen any of my on-line videos you'll notice that I'm still doing it the same way today.
Continuing on the topic of college - I remember looking around my senior class and listening to my colleagues talk about not being sure what they wanted to do in life. Many of them had the entertainment bug, and suppressed the urge to pursue it due to the personal and financial risks involved. That year I wrote a speech to my classmates encouraging them to follow their dreams. I've updated that talk with the experiences I've had over the past few years and it's been amazing how students have responded. I'll always make the time to take over one of your classes. Click the image below and my rep will hook it up.
This next photo shows me with a remote control on a couch. It's a very rare image because anyone who knows me is aware that I have never owned a TV in my adult life. I'm fine without it. In fact, I'd rather watch young content creators like Brandon Fletcher make history by using the net as a direct distribution channel to their viewers - supported by ads. That's the future. My next venture - nextselection.com - is based on this idea.
The NextSelection Lifestyle Group & Married to the Mob proudly present Ryan Leslie's limited edition "Diamond Girl" women's tee - a collector's item:
Only 500 of these exclusive co-branded tees have been produced. They will sell out. Accepting orders now. Use the buttons below to request your tee. All orders will ship within 24 hours of purchase. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. Tees are $45. Shipping is free (yes, even international).
NOTE: Women's sizes only. Boys - buy one for your diamond girl!
Please place your order by choosing a size below. On-line purchases are processed via PayPal.com.
1. Small White Tee w/Black Letters
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2. Medium White Tee w/Black Letters
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3. Large White Tee w/Black Letters
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4. Small Black Tee w/Pink Letters
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5. Medium Black Tee w/Pink Letters
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6. Large Black Tee w/Pink Letters
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Thank you for supporting NextSelection. Ryan Leslie's "Diamond Girl" at radio now. Call your stations, sport your tees and keep living the NextSelection lifestyle!
Ryan Leslie - "Addiction" on iTunes Now!'s Friend Space (Top 24)
Ryan Leslie - "Addiction" on iTunes Now! has 120108 friends.
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