GlobalGrind: So we hear you’re going to be working with Brandon Jennings in the future. He’s mentioned that he wants to learn from you a little bit.
Ryan Leslie: There are a great many athletes who have an interest in entertainment and music. And the number of stories of folks that have gotten involved and basically take a financial pass probably far outnumbers those who have actually made a legitimate effort and has some success. So one of the programs that Next Selection has and also that the Clive Davis Institute has which is is very interesting, is that we provide an experiential learning opportunity for those that who interested in being in the entertainment industry and an opportunity for them to see dollars that work in the frame work of a specific project, entertainment related.
Brandon was introduced to me and uh, he came by and I showed him what I was working on, and he said this was something he not only wanted to be apart of, but learn the ins and outs operationally of the project. So in conjunction with his agent and business managers, we put together an opportunity for him to be able to part in this. And um, once again it’s ground breaking, it’s unprecedented, and I think that he just as well as I are excited to see the outcome of a synergetic partnership between two entertainment personalities that are from disparate, yet related fields. Sports and music are really so close together. I mean, I was field side and the 49’ers game, and the numer of times I hear “Tony Montana”. (laughs)
and I know if that’s because Joe Montana is the legendary 49’s quarterback or for what reason, but I know there is an incredible correlation between sports and music and I believe that in addition to just my visual album, there is another company called ‘Balltunes’ that is working on finding ways to monetize this amazing relationship that to date has really been overlooked as a revenue stream in both arenas.
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And to switch gears a bit, how are you’re fans reacting to you rapping instead of singing?
I think I’ll be able to see that a lot better once I do another concert. But you know what, even at my concerts, my fans are my fans because of the musicianship and because of the fact that I’m honest with them. So whatever that medium is, whether its rapping singing, or just me playing just the keys, or me doing a synth solo, they respond to that because they know it’s really me. I think that’s really what the challenge is of creating new fans are, are you honest enough and vulnerable enough that they can connect with you, you know? So, I mean I know that there exist those hardcore hip-hop heads that say “ah man, what you know about this”, you know. But I believe that it’s just about being honest. And this just comes from an honest place. It’s nothing new. You can go on YouTube and look at my interview from 1994 and I as doing the same thing.
