Though thousands of kids are discouraged from pursuing careers in entertainment due to its volatility and instability, a small handful with relentless dedication, undying passion, and seemingly limitless creativity somehow always seem to break through, making a lasting impact on the music marketplace. Ryan Leslie is one of these young individuals.
Immediately drawing comparisons to Pharrell Williams and R. Kelly, for his ability to write, produce, and perform, Leslie's passion for his craft has impressed label executives from Antonio "LA" Reid (Def Jam) to Tommy Mottola (Casablanca/Universal) to Sean "P-Diddy" Combs (Bad Boy/Universal) who have all solicited music from him for their top stars.
His unique production stylings have been sought after by a variety of artists in a wide spectrum of genres. From hip-hop (Loon, P. Diddy, Heavy D) to R&B (Beyoncé, New Edition, Cheri Dennis), to pop (Britney Spears), to gospel (Virtue), adult contemporary (Stephanie Mills), and even dancehall (Tanto Metro & Devonté), Ryan has provided his own blend of creativity, innovation, and musical tastefulness to a myriad of projects over the past year, including the highly successful, platinum-plus Bad Boys II Soundtrack, Loon's hit single "Down For Me", and the lead single from New Edition's album, "Hot 2Nite".
Leslie's production company is an extension of this creed. He chose not to travel the traditional path from Harvard to Wall Street in favor of forging a career in the entertainment industry, and has spent the last two years making waves as an emerging talent. NextSelection Lifestyle Group has jumpstarted the careers of a handful of aspiring musicians and entrepreneurs.
