Ryan Leslie: Tiny Desk Concert

Bobby Carter | July 26, 2024
Ryan Leslie was in go mode as he arrived at NPR headquarters after an early morning road trip from New York. He bounced all over the space even when the cameras weren’t rolling. I was curious to hear how he would take his big, synth-heavy sound and adapt it to the Tiny Desk, but then was quickly reminded that at his core, he’s a creator. Leslie made songs like “Diamond Girl,” “How It Was Supposed To Be” and Cassie’s “Long Way 2 Go,” so to watch him recreate them here with ease shouldn’t have been a surprise.

After writing and producing Cassie’s debut album and hits for others, the singer-songwriter and entrepreneur decided to focus on being a solo artist. It’s not easy to go into a studio by yourself and walk out with a complete album, but R. Les is that artist. The viral video of him creating “Addiction” is remarkable proof. In 2013, he walked away from the traditional music industry, removing his music from streaming services and created a new platform utilizing his social media following to promote and sell his work. Unlike many in Leslie’s class of producers from the early 2000s, he crafted a distinctive style, branching out and creating high demand as a writer and producer. It’s a style, proven here at his Tiny Desk, to be timeless.

SET LIST
“Just Right”
“Something That I Like”
“Diamond Girl”
“Long Way 2 Go”
“Fly Together”
“How It Was Supposed To Be”
“Addiction”

MUSICIANS
Ryan Leslie: vocals, keys
Gabriel Lambirth: guitar
Jason Taylor: keys
John Young: bass
Jermaine Parrish: drums, percussion
Charity Davis: vocals
Samara Brown: vocals
Latif Williams: vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Alanté Serene, Christina Shaman
Audio Engineer: Josh Newell
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Team: Kara Frame, Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#nprmusic #nprmusic #ryanleslie

[louiiviable]

Who else is happy to see Ryan after this long ❤

[kidaqua]

Shoutouts to tiny desk for giving Ryan his flowers. Such an underrated talent. He has some great albums

[shyanne]

The industry didn’t give Ryan Leslie the respect and honor he deserves. He needs to be back on FRONT AND CENTER. Along with the artists we have today ❤

[refiloevictor]

He looks so FREE, JOYFUL & HEALTHY.

[jpswerve]

The video of him making "Addiction" in the studio will forever be legendary!

[misstampabay]

We need to get Amerie and Mya on Tiny Desk and pay homage to the 2000s!

[TlouVII]

Thank you to the NPR employee who advocated for a Ryan Leslie Tiny Desk. This is one artists that deserves endless flowers, insanely talented.

[empresssk]

I screamed, yelled, shouted!
Tiny Desk is taking no prisoners in 2024!
It’s also super comforting to see how many early ‘00s fans still remember and adore this man. He definitely deserves it all! BRING BACK REAL MUSIC.

[youngking]

True Ryan Leslie fans know how much this means to us, his run was short but it was impactful

[eve_outtheway]

I interned for R Les in 2005. He is the blueprint. Intellect, talent and business acumen all in one. He is behind major hits. PUT SOME RESPECT ON RYAN LESLIE’s name.

[missvfancy]

Only real Ryan Leslie fans would understand how much this means!!! He had that no-skip album I know I for sure blew some speakers to!

[actright]

Anybody that’s a Ryan Leslie fan is my family for life ❤

[godwinuringi]

shout out to whoever is doing the bookings. shout out R Les. its your time

[etf]

Ryan Leslie sings, raps, plays multiple instruments, and produces. He also owns a tech company, he owns a investment company, he's still making music as a independent artist, just dropped an album. He just went on tour in Europe and I went to see him perform in London. He is my favorite artist of all time, I have been listening to him for 15+ years.

[donzpressplay]

We don’t talk about how Ryan Leslie single-handedly influenced a generation of audio creatives. He was the influencer before the term influencer existed. His channel had us in a chokehold, with no gimmicks or click bait. We binged his YouTube videos, and learned the essence of the craft just from watching. A legend who deserves much more credit. Thank you Tiny Desk!

[ZachariasEnislidis]

No one will comment that the female backup singers are stunning?

[taye]

Whoever booked THE Ryan Leslie for Tiny Desk deserves a raaaise. Ive been waiting for this performance for a minute! Been rocking R Les for years and never skipped his songs. His catalogue and musicality is unmatched! I hope he receives his flowers and we can hear more soon ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[jcox]

Ryan Leslie is a pure musician. There aren’t many left! His career was sabotaged. It’s as clear as day. Happy to see him performing again!!

[markcrowl]

All these youtube producers need to pay royalties to this man. Legend

[kennethwillaert]

Who went after this straight to listen all his songs again? Memories!