Anthony Ryan Leslie was born on September 25, 1978, in Washington, D.C. Both of his parents were Salvation Army Officers, so the family would travel frequently because of work. Ryan Leslie also known as R-Les, of Caribbean, Dutch, Chines, African, West Indian, and Irish decent.

Ryan Leslie

“I would not be complete if I didn't do all of them. Ive always been a multi-tasker.” Mello Voice, tantalizing lyrics and style that is always a step ahead of the rest, are just a few ways to describe this singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalists. Ryan Leslie is known for his entrepreneurship, his ability to create a hot record and a flare for fashion and marketing,  

Before he was R-Les

Anthony Ryan Leslie was born on September 25, 1978, in Washington, D.C. Both of his parents were Salvation Army Officers, so the family would travel frequently because of work. Ryan Leslie also known as R-Les, of Caribbean, Dutch, Chines, African, West Indian, and Irish decent. I guess this is why his style is so original and fresh. At a young age, he knew that he wanted to pursue a music career, he taught himself to play the piano. He also had a talent for reciting music and arranging chords. He graduated from Harvard at age 19 with a degree in Government with an emphasis on Political Science and Macroeconomics.

On the Grind

While attending Harvard, Ryan Leslie would sell instrumentals to local aspiring artists to make some extra money. After graduating college, Leslie moved back home with his parents and asked them for a loan so that he could further pursue his music career. His parents gave him a $15,000 loan to build his state of the art production studio. In 2003, he got the opportunity to do an production internship with Younglord, a hip-hop producer. Only after a week, Ryan Leslie produced his first song called, “Keep Giving Your Love To Me,” that would later be covered by Beyonce for the Bad Boyz II soundtrack.

This is when he met Sean “Diddy” Combs; it is said that he was so impressed that he offered R-Les a management contract right on the spot. He worked with various Bad Boy artists, such as Danity Kane, Loon, and New Edition. All the while he was co-produced some records for Britney Spears. Later that year, Ryan Leslie was introduced to Tommy Mottola and soon landed a recording contract with Casablanca.  

His Own Sound

It was then that all the hard work in the basement studio of Harvard University and the years perfecting his sound would finally give him a chance to shine. In late 2003, Ryan Leslie began recording his debut album, Just Right. He release two singles entitled, “Used 2 Be,” featuring Fabolous and “The Way That U Move Girl.” Even though his singles created a buzz, the album was never released. After taking a 3 year hiatus to focus on songwriting and record producing, in 2005, Ryan Leslie signed Cassie to his music media company, NextSelection Lifestyle Group. Cassie released her smash single, “Me & U,” which was written and produced by R-Les.

The single climbed to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 20 weeks on the Top 40 charts. In December of 2007, Ryan Leslie released some singles from is upcoming self-entitled album. His first single, “Diamond Girl,” was a instant sensation. His follow- up single, “Addiction,” featured a budding pop singer/model, Cassie and Fabolous was the summers hotest jam. Finally, in February 10, 2009, he released, Ryan Leslie and Transitions, LP's in which he completed the entirely by himself.

Did You Know...

… Ryan Leslie made a perfect score of 1600 on his S.A.T.'s at the age of 14

… In 2009, he was named one of “New York's 50 Hottest Bachelors,” by PageSix Magazine

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