Emerging artists these days seem to have a love/hate relationship with major labels. For some, a deal with a major is the first big step to what many would deem winning. And for others, it’s to be avoided at all costs. For do-it-yourself creative artists like Ryan Leslie, it’s like a coach telling an Olympic sprinter to race with one leg-stifling. With his first album since his departure from Universal Republic, Ryan Leslie focuses on rapping more than his previous projects and reminds us why he’s gained the respect of his peers as a well rounded musician. The title, Les Is More, could be a play on the less rules he has to play by now that he is an independent artist or that he, Ryan Leslie, is more reputable than his critics say. But after listening to the music, he could have done a little more to impress. 
As expected, Ryan Leslie produced the album, save the Cardiak produced track, “The Black Flag.” And the production is nothing short of cinematic. He’s always had a knack for combining genres of music, including Motown, Funk, RnB, Jazz, Pop, and Hip Hop. His forte are the harmonies he creates, especially utilizing his voice as an instrument. And the prelude he composed for “Ups & Downs,” was a simple yet moving one. The problem with the album is that I found myself grooving with the beat but not the lyrics. Ironically, considering the lack of pressure from a major label, about half of the lyrical content (~8 tracks) was either too generic or too contrived, while altogether being too concerned with material things. When he raps about his Porsche Panarama, living like a Kennedy, and the leather he has on, he simply puts the word, “black,” in front of them. The problem here is the frequency he uses this pattern. He overplays the “black card” (get it?) throughout the album without even trying to add some attitude to it like Kanye or Jay-Z. The only shining moment he had in his show of opulence on the album was “5 Minute Freshen Up,” when he raps, “I’m talking Wall Street money/you just an occupant.”
He still writes the songs we all want him to write-”Joan of Arc,” “Ready or Not,” and “Ups & Downs.” The first of these three deals with having his heart broken by a selfish, conniving girl. As he explains, “girls play the victim so well.” The second is a straight up baby making song to inspire couples to find “love” anywhere. And the third is the most emotional song, as he tells his fans that he does everything he does to create moments for his listeners and music for those moments. He put everything he’s earned into his art, which is a slightly diverging message from the high class lifestyle detailed on the rest of the album.
Production value-wise, Ryan Leslie is as good as it gets. But as an artist, I think he has a lot more potential he can unlock. Or I could be wrong. Maybe he should stick to production and song writing. But I hope he keeps at rapping because I feel like he could turn into a true Renaissance man.
3 / 5 bars
Ryan Leslie – 5 Minute Freshen Up
Ryan Leslie – Ups & Downs
Ryan Leslie – Ready or Not
