Volume 2, Issue #24

Ryan Leslie

At the ripe age of 19, Ryan Leslie stood in front of his graduating Harvard class and urged them to "Follow your dreams!" Obviously, he has. Since that day, the 25-year-old R&B sensation has assembled his own production company (NextSelection Lifestyle Group) and redefined the word triple threat with his writing, producing and performing skills that have him rubbing elbows with the music industries elite. Leslie, who has been compared to such artists as Pharrell Williams and R. Kelly, has signed on with Tommy Mottola’s new Casablanca label and is preparing to drop his debut album this summer.

Five questions for Ryan Leslie

1) It’s not everyday someone who is studying to become a brain surgeon winds up in the entertainment world. Walk us through that transition.
“My parents always stressed a good education. I was accepted to Harvard and began as a pre-med major. But after a couple of years I fell in love with music. I found myself spending 30 hours a week in a small studio of a basement in one of our dorms. I knew that is where I wanted to be.”

2) When you created your own production company, your intention wasn’t only to promote artists. What else were you looking to accomplish?
“I wanted to educate young musicians on the business side of the entertainment industry. I wanted to show them how to make good financial decisions because I felt a lot of them had no idea on how to.”

3) Basically every artist loves the limelight. But you have no problem working behind the scenes as a producer. Why is that?
“It’s like you get to be a master craftsman. Kind of like a painter with an empty canvas. There are so many directions you can take stuff in. It’s especially great when you get to work with such passionate artists as P. Diddy and Britney Spears.”

4) How important is it to you to be a singer/songwriter?
“To me it makes whatever you do that much more personal. The whole record is yours. It’s the whole ball of wax. It’s your words and your vibe.”

5) In a short period of time, you’ve written, arranged and produced music for New Edition, Beyonce, Spears and Loon. What was it like to work with such talented artists?
“I couldn’t believe it at first. I was definitely overwhelmed. But after Beyonce used “Keep Giving Your Love To Me” on the Bad Boys II Soundtrack, I felt that I could play in the Big League’s.”

----Joseph Barracato

Jason Lyrics

It’s getting cliché these days for artists to say their music is original. But in some cases they’re 100% correct. In the mold of those who came before him, promising new artist Jason Lyrics is trying to make his mark on the reggae scene with a unique sound that differs from the norm. Lyrics blends classic Reggae with R&B, Jazz and Pure Soul into a fantasy world filled with heartfelt poetic verses and intriguing beats to get your mind thinking and your body moving. Lyrics’ talents also branch off beyond the stage. The St. Thomas native, who now resides in Brooklyn, is a focused producer and songwriter with a strong business mind. That was extremely evident three years back when he created his own production company (Stick Wid It Productions). Currently, he’s working with a bunch of talented artists and is wrapping up work on a compilation album that should be completed in the spring.

Five Fact about Jason Lyrics

1) He began his musical career back in Jamaica while in high school as a member of the choir. During that time, he would frequently put on concerts in his school and around his community.

2) After high school, Lyrics moved to New York and wasted no time getting involved in the local music scene which led to several area shows as well as a few in other states. During most of those performances, Lyrics was able to share the stage with such talented artists as Lt Stichie, Sugar Minott, Everton Blender and the late great Dennis Brown. He has also done background vocals for Kasief Lindo, Yvad, Pam Hall, Marcia Griffiths, Dobby Dobson and Natty King.

3) The legendary Bob Marley tops his list of influences, just as anyone who embarks down the reggae path. Lyrics also credits Maxi priest, Burning Spear, Anita Baker, R Kelly and Beres Hammond as a few more of the many wonderful entertainers that he has drawn inspiration from in molding and shaping his creative and unique musical style.

4) Lyrics and Lynx did a remix of Mario Winans’ “I Don't Wanna Know” has received serious radio airplay in New York, Atlanta, Jamaica and Birmingham (England). Its buzz has helped land Lyrics’ production company on the map.

5) For his upcoming compilation album, Lyrics has completed tracks with Cool It Down Riddim featuring Chuck Turner, Alley Cat, Currant Man, Mixcilous, Kyenie, Stan Martin, Sanitti and Lyrics himself. “Burn Dem,” Lyric’s’ best song to date, is expected to be on the record.

----Joseph Barracato

NFL Entertainment Will Be “Super”

Ok, so maybe there won’t be any frontal nudity this time around, but the entertainment for this year’s Patriots-Eagles Super Bowl is sure to enliven the savage ballet’s musical fans regardless of their age. The generation gap won’t be an issue as the league has called in acts from all genres and time frames. The event, which will take place at ALLTELL Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, will include a performance by R&B sensation Alicia Keys, who will perform "America the Beautiful." She will sing the anthem that was popularized by the late Ray Charles, who grew up in the Jacksonville area. Keys will be joined by 150 students from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, which Charles attended. The students will accompany Keys on stage and provide the lyrics through sign language.

American Idol Kelly Clarkson and classic rock veteran John Fogerty will perform as part of Fox's "NFL Tailgate Party" outside the stadium. Once fans decide to turn off their grills and head inside they will be treated to even more as Gretchen Wilson is set to play with the Charlie Daniels Band. That collaboration will be followed by another from the Black Eyed Peas and Earth, Wind & Fire. Hey, if Britney Spears, Nelly, N’ Sync and Aerosmith worked, anything is possible.

The NFL recruited Rock-N-Roll Hall of Famer and former Beatle great Paul McCartney to handle the half-time duties. He’s expected to play three songs, two classics and a new one. The league is hoping McCartney could duplicate the buzz that U2 provided three years back when they rocked the Super Bowl with an amazing performance of “Where The Streets Have No Name,” while the names of the fallen Americans who died during the 9/11 attacks scrolled behind the stage.

Just in case you can’t wait for the game, Southern rock act Lynyrd Skynyrd will headline a live CMT special at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena the night before. Also featured on the show is the Los Lonely Boys and Jo Dee Messina.

----Joseph Barracato

Q: What is Digital Rights Management?

-- Thomas P.

The digital revolution has literally transformed the way content creators must view thier intellectual property. Indeed, with the explosive use of the Internet and MP3 technologies, consumers can easily duplicate and share content with millions of people with little effort. This translates in to loss revenues for the content creator. Therefore, it is important that content creators understand what technologies are available to help them manage how their content is duplicated and distributed- welcome to the world of Digital Right Management.

Digital Rights Managment software allows digital content to be distributed securely on CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, peer-to-peer networks, enterprise networks and the Internet. Quite simply, if you are distributing your music in any digital format (CD, MP3, etc) this software empowers content creators by allowing them to manage how their songs are duplicated and distributed digitally. Ultimately, this translated into increased revenues from your intellectual property. And folks that what this game is all about.

--- Adam P.

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