RYAN LESLIE’S “TRANSITION” x ALBUM REVIEW

RYAN LESLIE’S “TRANSITION” x ALBUM REVIEW

Wednesday night ya gurl got the chance to attend Ryan Leslie’s exclusive album listening session for Transition at Chuck King Studios in NYC. The intimate small session revealed a more in depth look into the Harvard educated singer/songwriter/producer. Leslie took us on a storytelling and video montage journey of his courtship of a new mystery lady in his life. After going through a tough hurtful break-up (think Cassie), Leslie couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter, but after meeting a woman one night at SOB’s in NYC… his transition began. It was the bad break-up and meeting this woman that inspired the first record on the album “Never Gonna Break-Up”. Leslie gave us a sneak peek into the video treatment to the song which shows Leslie bumping into a “Didddy look-a-like” who asks for a light, only to find out Leslie’s girl gave him the same collector’s item lighter. The encounter infuriates Leslie leading him to trash his girl’s crib, assuming she’s cheating on him with the “Diddy look-a-like”.
The mystery woman in Leslie’s life also inspired other joints like “Something That I Like” where Leslie showcases his rapping skills alongside the Clipse’s, Pusha-T and “Without You I’d Be Nothing” a guitar driven song with a lil’ 70’s flavor. Ryan Leslie rapping? Yup, R-Les began as a teen freestyling joints “I’m So Glad We’re Friends”, there’s proof on video. As for his current single “You’re Not My Girl”, is more about the new lady and keeping their budding relationship a secret so that if anyone asks just remember “you’re not my girl”. Aside from the rapping and expanding his musical horizons, it was pretty evident, the man is a romantic at heart regardless.

Unlike most album listening sessions where the artist simply shows up an greets the crowd, Leslie went through each cut in full description thus showing his hardworking and love for the project. As a fan, I can appreciate the new project along with its sick beats, but as a music reviewer I would’ve appreciated it more had Ryan taken more time to work on Transition and mourn his bad break-up w/Cassie and dive more into his emotions. Yes the beats are sick, but lyrically speaking it’s lacking some substance. It’s been less than a year since his official debut album and now there’s a 2nd LP on the way…something about Transition seems rushed.
Transition drops November 3rd.
POP THE HOOD FOR TRACKLISTING

1. Never Gonna Break Up

2. Something That I Like (feat. Pusha T)

3. Zodiac

4. Is It Real Love

5. Sunday Night

6. You’re Not My Girl

7. To The Top

8. Nothing

9. Guardian Angel

10. All My Love

11. I Choose You

Ryan Leslie Posted under Exclusive Event, NYC Events, New Album Covers by LexAve