Ryan Leslie

Ryan Leslie grew up around music and played cornet as a child in the Salvation Army band. He taught himself piano, learned to recite music and arrange chords, and joined the Harvard Krokodiloes while studying at Harvard College.

He graduated from Harvard at 19 with a degree in government, concentrating in political science and macroeconomics. During college, he began producing tracks for Boston artists and later worked nights in recording studios while supporting himself with community service jobs.

Leslie founded NextSelection Lifestyle Group with online marketing partner Rasheed Richmond. He signed Cassie Ventura to the company in 2005, and the label later entered a joint venture with Sean Combs's Bad Boy Records.

Leslie wrote and produced Ventura's 2006 debut single, "Me & U," and produced the entirety of her self-titled debut album. The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, spent 20 weeks in the chart's top 40 and received platinum certification from the RIAA. Leslie also worked with Sean Combs on Bad Boy projects and produced "Keep Giving Your Love to Me," later performed by Beyoncé for the Bad Boys II soundtrack.

Leslie's self-titled debut album was released by Universal Motown in 2009 after several delays. Its singles included "Diamond Girl," "Addiction," featuring Fabolous and Cassie Ventura, and "How It Was Supposed to Be." He followed it with Transition in 2009, which received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album.

He released Les Is More in 2012 and Black Mozart in 2013, with MZRT following in 2015 and You Know My Speed in 2024. His music combines contemporary R&B and hip-hop with full-band arrangements, synth-driven production and retro influences. He has identified Stevie Wonder as a major influence and has also named Michael Jackson, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Quincy Jones, the Beatles and D'Angelo as musical heroes.

After the release of Black Mozart, Leslie created SuperPhone, a direct text marketing service founded in 2015. The platform was designed to let musicians communicate directly with fans and promote music through text-based memberships.

Artists including 50 Cent, Raphael Saadiq and Talib Kweli used the technology for album launches and fan clubs. Kanye West also supported Leslie's work with SuperPhone, while musicians including Miley Cyrus, Zayn, Silk Sonic, Ava Max and Cardi B employed its direct-texting marketing methods.