Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie (born September 25, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. Working predominantly in contemporary R&B and hip hop, he has released six studio albums and written songs for artists including Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Diddy, Fabolous, LL Cool J, Kanye West and Usher, among others. Leslie is credited with discovering R&B singer Cassie in 2004, who signed to his NextSelection record label in a joint-venture with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records two years later. Leslie wrote and produced her 2006 debut single " Me & U", which peaked at number three on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); he did so on the entirety of her eponymous debut studio album (2006). In his own recording career, Leslie signed with Universal Motown Records to release his self-titled debut studio album (2009), which was met with moderate critical and com ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Richmond, Virginia
Richmond ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city (United States), independent city since 1871. The city's population in the 2020 United States census was 226,610, up from 204,214 in 2010, making it Virginia's List of cities and counties in Virginia#Largest cities, fourth-most populous city. The Greater Richmond Region, Richmond metropolitan area, with over 1.3 million residents, is the Commonwealth's Virginia statistical areas, third-most populous. Richmond is located at the Atlantic Seaboard fall line, James River's fall line, west of Williamsburg, Virginia, Williamsburg, east of Charlottesville, Virginia, Charlottesville, east of Lynchburg, Virginia, Lynchburg and south of Washington, D.C. Surrounded by Henrico County, Virginia, Henrico and Chesterfield County, Virginia, Chesterfield counties, Richmond is at the intersection o ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most Cultural impact of Beyoncé, culturally significant figures of the 21st century through her vocal ability, musical versatility, and List of Beyoncé live performances, live performances. Credited with revolutionizing the sound of popular music, Beyoncé is often deemed one of the most influential artists of all time.Sources for Beyoncé being one of the most influential artists of all time: * * * * * * * * Beyoncé rose to fame in 1997 as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the List of best-selling girl groups, best-selling girl groups of all time. Her debut solo album, ''Dangerously in Love'' (2003), became one of the List of best-selling albums of the 21st century, best-selling albums of the 21st century, producing the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Cassie (album)
''Cassie'' is the only studio album by American singer Cassie, released on August 8, 2006, by NextSelection Life Group, Bad Boy Records, and Atlantic Records. Cassie was discovered by record producer Ryan Leslie, who helped her record demo tapes. After Cassie was signed by Diddy, the founder of Bad Boy Records, she continued to work with Leslie who produced the entire album. Musically, ''Cassie'' is primarily an R&B album with elements of pop, hip hop, electro and soul music. The album was well-received critically and praised for its production. In addition to being called "confection", it drew comparisons to Janet Jackson. It debuted at number four on the US ''Billboard'' 200 with first-week sales of 100,374 copies, staying on the chart for thirteen weeks. By January 2010, the album had sold 650,000 copies worldwide. ''Cassie'' received a vinyl reissue nine years after its original release, reasserting its cult following and influence in certain circles according to music ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Recording Industry Association Of America
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legally sold recorded music in the United States". RIAA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. RIAA was formed in 1952. Its original mission was to administer recording copyright fees and problems, work with trade unions, and do research relating to the record industry and government regulations. Early RIAA standards included the RIAA equalization curve, the format of the stereophonic record groove and the dimensions of 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm records. RIAA says its current mission includes: #to protect intellectual property rights and the First Amendment rights of artists #to perform research about the music industry #to monitor and review relevant laws, regulations, and policies Between 2001 and 2 ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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RIAA Certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) operates an awards program based on the certified number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets.RIAA certification criteria Retrieved on September 11, 2006 Other countries have similar awards (see ). Certification is not automatic; for an award to be made, the must first request certification. The audit is conducted against net shi ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Billboard Hot 100
The ''Billboard'' Hot 100, also known as simply the Hot 100, is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), online streaming, and radio airplay in the U.S. A new chart is compiled and released online to the public by ''Billboard''s website on Tuesdays but post-dated to the following Saturday, when the printed magazine first reaches newsstands. The weekly tracking period for sales is currently Friday–Thursday, after being changed in July 2015. It was initially Monday–Sunday when Nielsen started tracking sales in 1991. This tracking period also applies to compiling online streaming data. Radio airplay is readily available on a real-time basis, unlike sales figures and streaming, but is also tracked on the same Friday–Thursday cycle, effective with the chart dated July 17, 2021. Previously, radio was tracked Monday–Sunday and, before Ju ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Me & U (Cassie Song)
"Me & U" is the debut single by American singer Cassie. It was released on April 25, 2006, as the lead single from her self-titled debut album (2006). Written and produced by Ryan Leslie, the song reached number three on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and remained in the chart's top 40 for nearly five months. The song's "Bad Boy" remix features Diddy and Yung Joc and the song's " The Inc" remix features Ja Rule and Harry-O. The single has been a successful debut as a top three single in the U.S., a top five single in New Zealand, a top ten hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France, and a top twenty song in Australia. The song was considered "a slinky, vintage-sounding track with a hypnotic, snake-charming whistle," and likened to imitating Janet Jackson. The song is performed in the key of G minor with a tempo of 100 beats per minute. The single received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 14, 2006. It was also certified platin ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Cassie Ventura
Casandra Elizabeth Ventura (born August 26, 1986), known mononymously as Cassie, is an American singer, dancer, actress, and model. Born in New London, Connecticut, she began her musical career after meeting producer Ryan Leslie in late 2004, who signed her to his record label, NextSelection Lifestyle Group. She was then discovered by rapper Sean Combs, who signed her to a joint venture with his label, Bad Boy Records, to commercially release her 2006 debut single, " Me & U". The song marked the first of her two entries on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number three. With "Me & U" issued as its lead single, Ventura's self-titled debut studio album (2006) peaked at number four on the ''Billboard'' 200 and spawned the follow-up single, " Long Way 2 Go".Farber, Jim. ''Sounds of Summer'', ''New York Daily News''. August 1, 2006. NOW; Bullets & Bombs; page 34. From 2008 to 2009, she released the singles " Official Girl" (featuring Lil Wayne), " Must Be Love" (featuring D ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Usher (musician)
Usher Raymond IV (born October 14, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. With some publications referring to him as the Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of R&B, he is recognized as an influential figure in contemporary R&B and pop music. In 1994, Usher released his Usher (album), self-titled debut album at the age of 15. He rose to fame with the release of his second album, ''My Way (Usher album), My Way'' (1997), which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100 number-one single "Nice & Slow", and the top-two singles: the My Way (Usher song), title track and "You Make Me Wanna...". His third album, ''8701'' (2001), saw continued success, selling eight million copies and yielding two number-one singles, "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad", as well as the top-three single, "U Don't Have to Call". ''Confessions (Usher album), Confessions'' (2004) established Usher as one of the best-selling musical artists of the 2000s, supported by fo ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Kanye West
Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, West began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. As an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, he co-produced albums such as Jay-Z's ''The Blueprint'' (2001) before signing with the label as a recording artist. West's debut studio album, ''The College Dropout'' (2004), was met with critical acclaim and yielded the US Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100-number one single "Slow Jamz". He topped the chart on four other occasions with the singles "Gold Digger (Kanye West song), Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger (Kanye West song), Stronger" (2007), "E.T. (song), E.T." (2011, as a featured artist), and "Carnival (¥$ song), Carnival" (2024). ''The College Dropout'', and five ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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LL Cool J
James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, LL Cool J's breakthrough came with his single "I Need a Beat" and his landmark debut album, ''Radio'' (1985). He achieved further commercial and critical success with the albums '' Bigger and Deffer'' (1987), '' Walking with a Panther'' (1989), '' Mama Said Knock You Out'' (1990), '' Mr. Smith'' (1995), and ''Phenomenon'' (1997). His twelfth album, '' Exit 13'' (2008), was his last in his long-tenured deal with Def Jam. He later re-signed with the label and released his fourteenth album, ''The FORCE'' (2024). LL Cool J has appeared in numerous films, including '' Halloween H20'', '' In Too Deep'', '' Any Given Sunday'', '' Deep Blue Sea'', '' S.W.A.T.'', '' Mindhunte ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Fabolous
John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977), known professionally as Fabolous, is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition for his ability upon performing live on DJ Clue's WQHT, Hot 97 radio show. Jackson then signed to Clue's record label Desert Storm Records, in a joint venture with Elektra Records. He rose to further prominence with his debut studio album ''Ghetto Fabolous'' (2001), which spawned the hit singles "Can't Deny It" (featuring Nate Dogg) and "Young'n (Holla Back)." Adopting a further commercially-oriented approach, his second album, ''Street Dreams (Fabolous album), Street Dreams'' (2003), was supported by the singles "Can't Let You Go" (featuring Lil' Mo) and "Into You (Fabolous song), Into You" (featuring Tamia or Ashanti (singer), Ashanti)—both of which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100. In 2004, Jackson signed with Atlantic Records—another subsidiary of Warner Music Group—to release his thir ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |