:: RECAP | UP CLOSE & PERSONAL:: Behind the Scenes with Ryan Leslie

A modern day composer and musical genius, Ryan Leslie is still bringing out all the stops, crossing boundaries and providing his fans with something unexpected every time. Check out what you missed on Friday at the Park @ 14th's Beny Blaq's Entertainment Unplugged Series. A Political Science and Macro Economics graduate from Harvard, Ryan Leslie decided to go for what he knew and his defined passion in life, Entertainment. When asked about why he chose music over Political Science here’s what he had to say: “ Well, I mean I feel like everyone contributes the most that their going to contribute to the world when they do that which is passionate. And so, I have a passion for music, I have a passion for art and I have a passion for film as a way to creatively expressing myself. And once I realized and didn’t deny that passion this was the only option that I had to give everything I wanted to give to the world." As for right now Leslie is focusing all of his time and attention on his latest work, Les Is More which drops on July 4th. Check out the latest from that album “Christian Dior Denim Flow" featuring Kanye West, John Legend, Kid Cudi, Pusha T and Lloyd Banks. Hot right? Yeah, thought you’d like that one. Leslie considers this album to be an album of “Independence” thus the reason for the release date and now that he’s holding his own as an independent artist. Leslie: "The traditional distribution systems are antiquated and with the emergence of incredible technology that we have on the internet, allows me to have a direct line of communication with my audience and also allows me the creative freedom to do whatever I want. So that’s why this album is a rap album.” There you have it! Ryan has also proclaimed that this album will be an official rap album. So, looks as though he’s going to hold off on the R&B for a bit ladies, as it seems he wants to test his lyricism skills. Look forward to hearing Les Is More on the 4th of July. Go grab that, I know I will!!!! Until next time peeps! @Sistahofsoul aka Soulistic Diva signing off.