- published: 15 Mar 2016
- views: 226092
Anthony Ryan Leslie (born September 25, 1978), professionally known as Ryan Leslie, is an American recording artist and record producer from Washington, D.C.. Leslie has produced singles for a number of prominent artists in a variety of genres, ranging from R&B and hip hop to pop and gospel. From 2005–2006, he had his most commercial success to date with NextSelection/Bad Boy singer Cassie, when they released her debut single, "Me & U". Leslie's 2008 self-titled debut album, includes the singles "Diamond Girl", "Addiction" and "How It Was Supposed To Be".
Leslie, who is a singer, songwriter, rapper and entrepreneur, as well as a Harvard University graduate, is also the founder and CEO of SuperPhone and NextSelection Lifestyle Group. In 2011, he was nominated for a Grammy.
His parents are Salvation Army officers, who frequently relocate for work. Ryan's family are avid practicing Christians. Ryan has lived in various states, cities, and countries. At an early age, Leslie taught himself how to play the piano. He developed the ability to recite music, as well as arrange chords to create songs. At the age of 14, Leslie scored a 1600 on his SATs—a perfect score—while attending Bear Creek High School, in Stockton, CA. In 1993, he applied to four University of California campuses as well as Stanford, Yale and Harvard. In his application essays he explained his interest in matriculating from his junior year in high school without having earned a diploma. He was accepted to all except for Stanford. He ultimately decided to attend Harvard College. At the age of 19, Leslie graduated from Harvard with a degree in Government, concentrating in Political Science and Macroeconomics. During the undergraduate Class Day ceremonies, Leslie was selected to be the Harvard Male Orator, one of four seniors who deliver orations to the graduating senior class.
Yeah, 5 seconds of fame that's all it takes, man
The grass might look green, I watch the snakes, man
Put a couple 02s in my bank statement
Then hire a lawyer to look after my estate plan
Yeah, so I can plan my vacation
Somewhere I can get tan and have relations
With my Tunisian girl, yeah she super hot
Super luxury, breakfast is on a super yacht
The terror of the French Riviera
Rolling down the strip I'm in that rare Carrera
Pose for the haters when I pull up at the cross walk
The whole club sold out to hear the boss talk
And we gon' shut down the city tonight
My homie Sheed 'bout to spend about fifty tonight
So if you and your girlfriends get pretty tonight
We gon' show u what good livin is like
Chorus:
So I'mma live hard
I'mma dream big
Cause in the end, homie
I'm just tryna live good
I'm just tryna live good
Do it bigger than anybody else ever did
Cause in the end, homie
I'm just tryna live good
I'm just tryna live good
I'm black and successful I guess I beat the odds
The rare chance a mortal could actually beat the gods
I took that chance, believing I could win this
Take my seat on the throne – the peak of Mount Olympus
I'm slipping the day it turns cold in Hades
SLR McClaren yea that's the old Mercedes
It's catching the eye of every bystander
Lanvin to fly – call that high standards
At the border know I'm asking for trouble
The customs officer found 30 stacks in my duffel
I said I'm partial to nice uniforms on a chick
She let me off with a warning but she wanted a flick
The by-product of celebrity
She don't even know who I am, but she'll remember me
So I reinvest in a fan for longevity
Caught up in the fame – that's where I'll never be
Chorus:
I'mma live hard
I'mma dream big
Cause in the end, homie
I'm just tryna live good
I'm just tryna live good
Do it bigger than anybody else ever did
Cause in the end, homie
I'm just tryna live good
I'm just tryna live good
Yo I ran through the park some nights, holding cocaine
No I'd – I'm lonely in this cold game
Once I get back on my feet I gotta a family far away
Somewhere in Dubai and it's deep
Coconut water and spliffs fly honey bunnies
Wrangler jeeps, 6 hundred horse sonny
Listening to Big and Pac
In a world where they kidnap your girl and bitch smack your pops
I'm all about more commas, Fisker Kharma
But I'm stuck on a bench in a bomber
A ski hat a pair of these Lees, I'm wearing these trees it be that
Quick fast to blast for G's
Never been nothing but a street king
Now let the beat bang, gimme a mic check my mean swing
Sooner or later we large and I'll glance at myself
Biggin' shit up you know who started it
Chorus:
I'mma live hard
I'mma dream big
Cause in the end, homie
I'm just tryna live good
I'm just tryna live good
Do it bigger than anybody else ever did
Cause in the end, homie
I'm just tryna live good