Like most aspiring producer/songwriter/singers, Ryan Leslie started out making his own records as a teen because he couldn't afford to pay for studio time or producers when he wanted to record his demo. Counting self-contained producer/artists like Stevie Wonder and Prince as his heroes, it's been a long ride from being a 19-year-old senior in college who had no music contacts - to overseeing studio sessions with the likes of Diddy, Usher, Britney Spears, and many other of today's top stars.
The road was not easy, as anyone who has tried to make it in music would understand. When he graduated from Harvard in 1998, Ryan started out selling beats for $200 to anyone who would buy - a questionable career move for an ivy-league graduate. He stayed in the Boston area for a while, taking on a community service job to make ends meet, and spending his nights in the recording studio. Eventually, in the summer of 2000, he linked with a young artist named Corey "Latif" Williams, and he produced a song that won a contest sponsored by Teen People magazine, earning them a performance at the famed Apollo theatre in Harlem.
A few months later, in 2001, the two had generated enough buzz as a producer/artist duo to score Latif a record deal with Motown. Though initial excitement in the project was strong, the album they made together in thirty days took two years to get released. In the meantime, Ryan returned to a suburb of Boston and began to experiment with making his own records again.
Times were tough, the advance money from his work on Latif's album ran out, and in late 2002, after nearly a year grinding with little to no money coming in, Ryan was forced to move back in with his parents, who were living in Phoenix. Though he was devastated, he remained determined, and after a long talk, his father gave Ryan a glimmer of hope, offering to max out the family's credit cards to buy the keyboards and recording software needed to create a modest project studio. Moved by this vote of confidence in his potential, Ryan vowed that he would do whatever it took to repay the nearly $15,000 worth of equipment - even if it meant going to law school and getting a job more suited to his academic pedigree.
For the next five months, Ryan locked himself in a room, eating infrequently and sleeping even less, spending countless hours formulating a distinct sound that would prove useful when in the spring of 2003, his music career took an unexpected turn. Encouraged by his long-time music lawyer and advisor, Ed Woods, Ryan got on a plane to New York to take a 30-day contract as a music production intern for former Bad Boy Hitman Younglord. One week into his internship, a record they created together became "Keep Giving Your Love To Me", a song performed by Beyoncé for the Bad Boys II movie soundtrack. That record led to a meeting with Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was supervising the project.
Honored by the opportunity, Ryan played a few of the instrumentals he had created while in Phoenix for Diddy, and there was one in particular that caught the Bad Boy Records CEO's attention. Though it was a simple track, consisting mostly of a conga loop and a guitar riff, the magic in the music emerged when Ryan played a song he had written and recorded to the track, called "Hot 2 Nite". Thoroughly impressed, Diddy offered Ryan a producer management contract on the spot, and the song became the first single for New Edition's Bad Boy album.
Diddy immediately put Ryan on every project that came across his blackberry, and Ryan produced a string of records, including Loon's 2003 summer hit "Down For Me". He shared his unique talent with everyone from Britney Spears, B5, Cheri Dennis, Danity Kane, and many other Diddy-helmed projects. In six months, he had collected enough money from advances to be able to repay his father, and after sending a check home, he requested that his equipment be shipped to New York, where he set up a project studio in a one-bedroom apartment in Harlem.
Simultaneously during that time, Ryan inked a publishing deal with Tommy Mottola's Aspen Songs, cementing his relationship with two of the most legendary and notorious executives in the music industry. Under the mentorship of Diddy and Mottola, Ryan began to absorb the mannerisms of a savvy entrepreneurial music executive.
Soon the word began to spread of his unorthodox approach to record-making (eschewing programming and beat machines for real-time playing of instruments and on-the-fly song writing), and people began reaching out to Ryan for his "NextSelection" sound. He produced singles for Donell Jones ("Better Start Talking"), Cheri Dennis ("I Love U"), and dancehall legends Tanto Metro & Devonte ("News For You"). He also signed a recording contract as an artist with Universal through Mottola's imprint. Though he recorded an album for Universal in 2004 between projects for other artists, his production schedule kept him from paying any real attention to promoting a single.
It was when Usher called on him to produce some records for his new label, US Records, that Ryan, being the same age as Usher, became inspired to champion his NextSelection brand by developing an artist of his own. After writing and producing the title track "Private" for Usher's act One Chance's debut album, Ryan returned to New York and met a strikingly beautiful young artist named Cassie with a distinct vocal texture and a unique point of view. With the help of some coaxing by her mother, he convinced Cassie to record a song with him. Encouraged again by his attorney, Ed Woods, he played the record for Mottola, who immediately signed Ryan's young protégé to a management contract, urging the two to continue the recording process.
The next record he wrote and produced for her, a song called "Me & U", would prove to be a defining work in Ryan's career - earning him his first number one hit, and the opportunity to work as an executive producer alongside Diddy, who outbid 2 other labels to partner with him on Cassie's project. "Me & U" went on to be the biggest record at radio in the history of Atlantic Records (Bad Boy's distributor), and Ryan's dream to introduce the world to the NextSelection brand was achieved.
The success of Cassie's project also proved to be definitive in a different way for Ryan, who had partnered with a young on-line media entrepreneur named Rasheed Richmond to wage a ground-breaking internet marketing campaign using non-traditional media to raise awareness about Cassie, NextSelection, and the infectious song he had written for her. Thanks to their joint efforts, she became the first major new artist to break from social networking phenomenon MySpace.com, prompting so many internet searches that Yahoo crowned her the first "Internet diva".
Fueled by this momentum, Ryan's next moves will be made with laser focus on brand development and will be watched intently by an evolving music industry. He is building a management company, led by Sean Collins, a long-time friend and early supporter who invested in him during the early stages of his career, to develop and nurture budding production talent. He is expanding his on-line media properties with Rasheed Richmond to create a network of sites dedicated to entertainment content developed by NextSelection. He is assembling a roster of acts that will embody the characteristics of his signature 4 D's - drive, desire, discipline and dedication.
Most importantly, amongst all of his endeavors, he's campaigning as Ryan Leslie - the artist. With a goal to fill arenas around the world where he has already been performing for small crowds of die-hard NextSelection fans, he is pursuing the dream that started his foray into music in the first place: being an entertainer. His live show is explosive, channeling of the energy of a young James Brown mixed with the swagger of a modern day Marvin Gaye. The soundtrack to the Ryan Leslie experience is just as engaging. Fusing thick analogue synths, heavy drums and lush vocal harmonies, his double album, consisting of his best unreleased gems like "The Way That U Move", "Just Right" and "Used 2 Be", plus an entirely fresh crop of newly-inspired recordings, will be a collection of all the songs he wouldn't sell to anyone else, songs that he really loves, stories told in a way only he can tell them.
A look at Ryan's daily schedule, which usually starts on-line at 5am and continues (with meetings, calls, rehearsals and studio sessions) into the wee hours of the following morning, suggests that he may have too much on his plate to lead the life of an ordinary twenty-something year old. Thankfully, his approach to life is, arguably, extraordinary.
© 2006 NextSelection Lifestyle Group
Ready or Not
Ryan Leslie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you be worried 'bout where I be at night
I know you be worried 'bout whether I'm committed
Don't ask no questions and baby I swear, you'll be alright
Yea we'll be alright underneath a neon light
I'm a supernova, you be a meteorite
That means you hard as you fall towards the earth's surface
Can't touch you at all, them other girls worthless
I ain't stupid, I'm knowing it's gon' be messy soon
But when the dust settles and you emerge
I'll applaud you like a Broadway player, Venus refer
Fresh off the page of your Vanity fair
The best dressed in the dress spot, ?
Only put you in a dress to undress you bare
If you asking, baby yes we there so rock with me
Whether you ready or not, we right here (Right here)
This is the moment for making love
I don't care if the neighbors might hear
How we get down, get down
Whether you ready or not, we right here (Right here)
This is the moment you're waiting for
I don't care if the neighbors might hear
How we get down, get down
Yeah
And the stairway you be building there's a lot of traffic
We do it for excitement, I don't care who sees
Right now, I'm asking and I hope you're willing
In the open and secretly, bein' your fantasy
R. Kelly said the best, I hear your body calling
So why are we stalling? Did I heed you wrong?
Let's take advantage of this moment that we here alone
Baby work for this camera that you're appearing on
Go, go, go and get it girl
Give me everything you got like there's no tomorrow
Go, go, I know you with it girl
Let me make this movie hot like I'm Modevar
And I know you are pleased to see me
The kitchen kind is cold but the scene is steamy
And like the re-run that you seen on TV
I'm a rub like dream of genie, that's classic
Whether you ready or not, we right here (Right here)
This is the moment for making love
I don't care if the neighbors might hear
How we get down, get down
Whether you ready or not, we right here (Right here)
This is the moment you're waiting for
I don't care if the neighbors might hear
How we get down, get down
So don't be scared if you ain't prepared
I know it's people everywhere and it's illegal here
But since time flies and we all die
Let's make a movie, one time for the archives (yeah)
Let's do it one time for the lovers
And one time for the haters jealous of us yea
Just give it to me girl
Baby, just give it to me
Right here, right here, right here
And this is the moment for making love
I don't care if the neighbors might hear
How we get down, get down
Whether you ready or not, we right here (Right here)
This is the moment you're waiting for
I don't care if the neighbors might hear
How we get down, get down
In “Ready or Not,” Ryan Leslie sings about a moment of passion and desire that’s fuelled by spontaneity and the urge to live in the present. He seems to be addressing someone he’s involved with, urging them to let go of their worries and allow themselves to indulge in the moment. Leslie recognizes their doubts and insecurities but asks his partner to trust him and promises that everything will be alright. He describes the chemistry between them as that of a supernova and a meteorite, with his partner being a fierce force of nature that cannot be contained or controlled. He then talks about the impending messiness that might come after their encounter, but assures his partner that he will always be there to support and appreciate them.
Throughout the song, Leslie references other artists and pop culture phenomena. He mentions Venus, referring to the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility who was often represented in art as a nude or semi-nude figure. He also quotes R. Kelly’s song “Your Body’s Callin’” and compares his partner’s appeal to that of a classic sitcom character, “I Dream of Jeannie,” who was known for her seductive charm and magical powers. By using these references, Leslie is emphasizing the timelessness of intense attraction and the power of sexual energy to transcend borders and time periods.
Line by Line Meaning
I can go a long time, can you keep up with it?
I am capable of being in a long-term relationship, do you think you can match up to that expectation?
I know you be worried 'bout where I be at night
I understand that you feel concerned about my whereabouts during night time.
I know you be worried 'bout whether I'm committed
I acknowledge your worries about my level of commitment towards you.
Don't ask no questions and baby I swear, you'll be alright
If you refrain from questioning me, I promise everything will be okay between us.
Yea we'll be alright underneath a neon light
We will be okay in the presence of a neon light, which represents our passionate and intense relationship.
I'm a supernova, you be a meteorite
I am an extremely bright and powerful star, and you are like a falling rock that shines brightly as well.
That means you hard as you fall towards the earth's surface
You are strong and tough despite facing difficulties and challenges, just like a meteorite hitting the earth's surface.
Can't touch you at all, them other girls worthless
No one can come close to you, as other girls are simply not worth comparing to you.
You a hurricane in the dressing room
You are powerful and alluring in many ways, especially when you're getting ready in the dressing room.
I ain't stupid, I'm knowing it's gon' be messy soon
I am not naive, I know that things may become chaotic and difficult soon.
But when the dust settles and you emerge
However, when everything calms down and you face everything head-on, you will be unstoppable.
I'll applaud you like a Broadway player, Venus refer
I will praise you like an actor on Broadway and refer to you as Venus (the goddess of love).
Fresh off the page of your Vanity fair
You look stunning, like you just came out of a magazine photo shoot.
The best dressed in the dress spot, ?
You are the best-dressed person in the room, and everyone notices your fashion sense.
Only put you in a dress to undress you bare
The sole purpose of putting a dress on you was to take it off and see you naked.
If you asking, baby yes we there so rock with me
If you are willing, we can take things further and have a great time together, so come and join me.
Whether you ready or not, we right here (Right here)
Whether you are ready or not, we are here, and we will make the most of it.
This is the moment for making love
This is the right moment for us to express our love and passion for each other.
I don't care if the neighbors might hear
I am not concerned about what the neighbors might hear or think of us.
How we get down, get down
Let us just get down to it and express our love in a passionate manner.
And the stairway you be building there's a lot of traffic
The path that you're trying to take towards happiness has many obstacles and distractions.
We do it for excitement, I don't care who sees
We act in a thrilling and exciting way, and I do not care if others see us.
Right now, I'm asking and I hope you're willing
I am asking for your willingness to engage in a romantic and sensual moment.
In the open and secretly, bein' your fantasy
Either publicly or privately, I will be the fantasy that you have always dreamed of.
R. Kelly said the best, I hear your body calling
R. Kelly's lyrics represent my thoughts perfectly because I feel like your body is calling out to me.
So why are we stalling? Did I heed you wrong?
So why are we hesitating? Did I misunderstand something you said before?
Let's take advantage of this moment that we here alone
Let's make the most of this opportunity that we have now to be together without any interference from others.
Baby work for this camera that you're appearing on
Be your best self and show off your beauty to the world that seems to be watching us, metaphorically represented by a camera.
Go, go, go and get it girl
Take action and go get what you want, girl.
Give me everything you got like there's no tomorrow
Pour your heart out and give me everything you have with passion and intensity, like there's no tomorrow.
Go, go, I know you with it girl
I know that you are capable and willing to follow my lead, girl.
Let me make this movie hot like I'm Modevar
I will create an unforgettable and intense experience, just like a famous director would in a popular movie.
And I know you are pleased to see me
I am aware of your admiration and joy at the sight of me.
The kitchen kind is cold but the scene is steamy
The setting is quite plain and simple (like a kitchen), but things are getting sizzling and hot between us.
And like the re-run that you seen on TV
This experience is like watching a rerun of an old television show that is still exciting and enjoyable.
I'm a rub like dream of genie, that's classic
I will bring you immense pleasure, just like the genie in Aladdin's story, which is a timeless and classic tale.
So don't be scared if you ain't prepared
Do not worry if you feel nervous or unprepared for this moment.
I know it's people everywhere and it's illegal here
I am aware that there are other people around, and that what we are doing is frowned upon or forbidden.
But since time flies and we all die
We should not waste any more time because time passes quickly, and we will all eventually die.
Let's make a movie, one time for the archives (yeah)
Let's make this experience memorable, so we can look back at it later and reminisce, and have something for the archives.
Let's do it one time for the lovers
Let's engage in this act of love and passion for lovers all around the world.
And one time for the haters jealous of us yea
This one moment is for the people who are envious and jealous of our love and happiness.
Just give it to me girl
Just express your love and passion towards me, girl.
This is the moment you're waiting for
This is the perfect moment you've been waiting for to experience this romantic and sensual event.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN LESLIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind