It's my pleasure to present 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:
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
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
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:
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 June 17th, 2008. This is ironic because it's almost exactly ten years from the day I graduated from Harvard in 1998. Pieter Henket, a great friend and photographer, took the photo in this poster that I am plastering all over New York:
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.
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 CAA image below and the appropriate rep will get back to you:
March 28, 2008 marked a huge day 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:
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.
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.
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!
_+22______Add_______+222_______ _+222___De-U.c.e.____++22_______ _++22____Double____+222________ _++22_____________++22________ __+222___________++22_________ __+222_________++222__________ __++222_______++222___________ __++222_____+++222____________ __++2222__+++2222++22_________ __+++2222+++2222++2222________ ___++222++2222+++222222+22____ ___++22++2222++2222222++222___ ___++++++2222222222222222222___ ____++++++22222222222222222___ ____++++++++222222222222222___ _____+++++++2222222222222222___ ______+++++++22222222222222___ _______+++++++222222222222____ _______+++++++222222222222____ ________+++++++2222222222____ Deez niggaz ain't grindin' like we!!! Over 150k street sales check da global stats bitches!!! DMV here!!!
DJ Drama & DNA's new mixtape features "E One Letter" coming out soon!!! "De-U.c.e. Double" is also on Check my Global Stats Vol.7 hosted by "Slim Thug" out soon!!! Watch "The Epitome Band" play E One Letter's EP while we perform on DVD message me 4 a copy I answer all messages personally!!! Read E's newest press @ www. blackcollegeview. com 2/24/08, & read De-U Records' newest press @ www. districtchronicles. com 3/14/08
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