Ryan Leslie

Anthony Ryan Leslie (born September 25, 1978), professionally known as Ryan Leslie, is an American recording artist and record producer from Washington, D.C.. Leslie has produced singles for a number of prominent artists in a variety of genres, ranging from R&B and hip hop to pop and gospel. From 2005–2006, he had his most commercial success to date with NextSelection/Bad Boy singer Cassie, when they released her debut single, "Me & U". Leslie's 2008 self-titled debut album, includes the singles "Diamond Girl", "Addiction" and "How It Was Supposed To Be".

Leslie, who is a singer, songwriter, rapper and entrepreneur, as well as a Harvard University graduate, is also the founder and CEO of SuperPhone and NextSelection Lifestyle Group. In 2011, he was nominated for a Grammy.

Early life

His parents are Salvation Army officers, who frequently relocate for work. Ryan's family are avid practicing Christians. Ryan has lived in various states, cities, and countries. At an early age, Leslie taught himself how to play the piano. He developed the ability to recite music, as well as arrange chords to create songs. At the age of 14, Leslie scored a 1600 on his SATs—a perfect score—while attending Bear Creek High School, in Stockton, CA. In 1993, he applied to four University of California campuses as well as Stanford, Yale and Harvard. In his application essays he explained his interest in matriculating from his junior year in high school without having earned a diploma. He was accepted to all except for Stanford. He ultimately decided to attend Harvard College. At the age of 19, Leslie graduated from Harvard with a degree in Government, concentrating in Political Science and Macroeconomics. During the undergraduate Class Day ceremonies, Leslie was selected to be the Harvard Male Orator, one of four seniors who deliver orations to the graduating senior class.

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Ryan Leslie (album)

Ryan Leslie is the debut album of American R&B singer-songwriter and producer Ryan Leslie, released November 15, 2008 on Universal Motown in the United States. Three singles were released from the album: "Diamond Girl", "Addiction", and "How It Was Supposed to Be". The album was entirely produced by Leslie. While it received some negative criticism towards Leslie's songwriting, Ryan Leslie earned generally favorable reviews from music critics.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Ryan Leslie, except "Addiction" co-written with Cassie Ventura and John Jackson. 

Personnel

  • Ryan Leslie: All keyboards, drum programming, background vocals and executive producer
  • Chanel Iman: Additional keyboard on "Just Right"
  • Tom "T-Bone" Wolk: Bass and guitar on "You're Fly", "Shouldn't Have To Wait" and "Wanna Be Good"
  • Brent Paschke: Bass and guitar on "Quicksand"
  • Jermaine Parrish: Drums and additional percussion on "I-R-I-N-A"
  • Al Carty: Bass on "I-R-I-N-A"
  • Tommy Mottola: Additional guitar on "Wanna Be Good"
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    This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Ryan_Leslie_(album)

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    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Live Good

    by: Ryan Leslie

    Yeah, 5 seconds of fame that's all it takes, man
    The grass might look green, I watch the snakes, man
    Put a couple 02s in my bank statement
    Then hire a lawyer to look after my estate plan
    Yeah, so I can plan my vacation
    Somewhere I can get tan and have relations
    With my Tunisian girl, yeah she super hot
    Super luxury, breakfast is on a super yacht
    The terror of the French Riviera
    Rolling down the strip I'm in that rare Carrera
    Pose for the haters when I pull up at the cross walk
    The whole club sold out to hear the boss talk
    And we gon' shut down the city tonight
    My homie Sheed 'bout to spend about fifty tonight
    So if you and your girlfriends get pretty tonight
    We gon' show u what good livin is like
    Chorus:
    So I'mma live hard
    I'mma dream big
    Cause in the end, homie
    I'm just tryna live good
    I'm just tryna live good
    Do it bigger than anybody else ever did
    Cause in the end, homie
    I'm just tryna live good
    I'm just tryna live good
    I'm black and successful I guess I beat the odds
    The rare chance a mortal could actually beat the gods
    I took that chance, believing I could win this
    Take my seat on the throne – the peak of Mount Olympus
    I'm slipping the day it turns cold in Hades
    SLR McClaren yea that's the old Mercedes
    It's catching the eye of every bystander
    Lanvin to fly – call that high standards
    At the border know I'm asking for trouble
    The customs officer found 30 stacks in my duffel
    I said I'm partial to nice uniforms on a chick
    She let me off with a warning but she wanted a flick
    The by-product of celebrity
    She don't even know who I am, but she'll remember me
    So I reinvest in a fan for longevity
    Caught up in the fame – that's where I'll never be
    Chorus:
    I'mma live hard
    I'mma dream big
    Cause in the end, homie
    I'm just tryna live good
    I'm just tryna live good
    Do it bigger than anybody else ever did
    Cause in the end, homie
    I'm just tryna live good
    I'm just tryna live good
    Yo I ran through the park some nights, holding cocaine
    No I'd – I'm lonely in this cold game
    Once I get back on my feet I gotta a family far away
    Somewhere in Dubai and it's deep
    Coconut water and spliffs fly honey bunnies
    Wrangler jeeps, 6 hundred horse sonny
    Listening to Big and Pac
    In a world where they kidnap your girl and bitch smack your pops
    I'm all about more commas, Fisker Kharma
    But I'm stuck on a bench in a bomber
    A ski hat a pair of these Lees, I'm wearing these trees it be that
    Quick fast to blast for G's
    Never been nothing but a street king
    Now let the beat bang, gimme a mic check my mean swing
    Sooner or later we large and I'll glance at myself
    Biggin' shit up you know who started it
    Chorus:
    I'mma live hard
    I'mma dream big
    Cause in the end, homie
    I'm just tryna live good
    I'm just tryna live good
    Do it bigger than anybody else ever did
    Cause in the end, homie
    I'm just tryna live good




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