“Just Right” “Something That I Like” “Diamond Girl” “Long Way 2 Go” “Fly Together” “How It Was Supposed To Be” “Addiction”
Ever since assuming the role of producer and host of NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series, Bobby Carter has shaken the table. He’s brought some notable R&B artists to the office recently, including Chaka Khan and SWV. For his next selection (see what we did there?), he invited acclaimed producer and artist Ryan Leslie to NPR’s Washington, D.C. headquarters to make his Tiny Desk debut.
R. Les has largely been out of the mainstream spotlight since he decided to go independent and forge his own path while embracing new technologies. The musical maestro was high on Carter’s Tiny Desk performer wishlist, and Leslie proved to be a solid choice.
Despite releasing the brand-new album You Know My Speed earlier this year, Ryan decided to perform all classic material during his energetic and exciting set. His performance was heavy on songs from his 2008 self-titled debut album. He began with the Ryan Leslie album cut “Just Right” before transitioning into “Something That I Like” from his 2009 sophomore album Transition.
Accompanied by his band abackground vocalists Charity Davis, Corey Latif Williams and Samara Brown, Ryan multitasked by playing synths, singing, rapping and charming the audience with songs like his hit single “Diamond Girl,” Cassie’s “Long Way 2 Go” and Red Cafe’s “Fly Together.” He took it back to his first album to wrap his performance with “How It Was Supposed To Be” and the still-intoxicating track “Addiction.”
In case he’s been off of your radar, press play below and see for yourself that Ryan Leslie’s still got the juice and the jams.
