Ryan Leslie announces “Ups & Downs” as the second single off of his top-notch rap album Les Is More, released via NextSelection Lifestyle Group distributed by BDG (BDG is distributed by RED, a division of SONY Music Entertainment). Described by the Associated Press to “surely send you up,” the feel-good record is being serviced to radio this week.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDDNmFF92LE?list=UUHvewxUNJi6vmIz3y0vPr4w&hl=en_US&w=560&h=315]
In conjunction with the launch of Les is More, Leslie was selected as a brand ambassador for the Sony X Headphones (#SonyX) and their “Love To Give” (#SonyLove) campaign this holiday season. “Ups & Downs” is featured in a video vignette for the Sony X’s where Leslie discusses the importance of having headphones that don’t dilute the honesty of the recording. The “Love To Give” theme is a sentiment that celebrates the spirit of giving through the eyes of Ryan Leslie, and various other artists including country pop singer Taylor Swift and renowned photographer Nigel Barker.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkSEvF27m58&w=560&h=315]
The first rap album from Ryan Leslie, Les Is More debuted at #1 on the iTunes Hip Hop Charts simultaneously in 8 countries including the U.S., Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland. Leslie, “a marvel of multitasking” according to the NY Times wrote, arranged, produced and performed on Les Is More, along with directing and editing a series of music videos to accompany each record.
Leslie recently wrapped his first domestic headlining tour to rave reviews including one from XXLMag.com, “last night (October 4) the musical dynamo Ryan Leslie tore down a sold out Gramercy Theatre in NYC like a rock star.” He is currently on tour in Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands, UK, and Austria for the European leg of the Les Is More Tour.