Four Mics, Seventeen Spins

67 Comments

Life on the road is always an adventure. A few nights ago, I stepped off a plane in New York from Miami and immediately jumped in a car to drive to Springfield, MA to perform at a High School basketball tournament. Due to technical difficulties, I had to switch mics four times. This clip catches me performing “Diamond Girl” on the third mic. At the start, you’ll see I’m holding 2 cordless mics in one hand and performing into the announcer’s corded microphone. Check how he’s totally not concerned as I’m rockin’ the crowd from his table. Finally I was able to get a fourth microphone and managed to pull of 17 consecutive spins:

When life throws a curveball, improvise. The show must go on.

 

Posted: January 23rd, 2009 | Under: Live

67 Comments on “Four Mics, Seventeen Spins”

  1. 1 Adam Tha Beatmaker said at 2:12 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Yea this is better…

    http://thesweetboyscrew.blogspot.com/2009/01/ryan-leslie-how-it-was-supposed-to-be.html

  2. 2 Facebook User said at 2:35 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    2nd!!!
    you’re awesome Ryan, keep it up!!!

  3. 3 Damar Santiago said at 2:43 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    wow…. amazing. Love the spins.

  4. 4 Jimmy Zamani said at 2:45 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    This is crazy Nextselection is always taking online promotion to the next level!

  5. 5 Milush Manimendra said at 2:45 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Just Awesome! Hope you could perform in Italy pretty soon! :)

  6. 6 Benjamin Cartwright said at 2:54 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Ryan doin his thing no matter wat 4mics is crazy, true artistry.

    Kanye would stop the music and throw a hissy fit lol.

    I’d well be be dizy doin all them spins.

    Ryan I check your site now like at least 4times aday, As I assume more updates will appear as it get closer to the album release.

    Keep it up!!! :)

    Peace

  7. 7 Christina Elizabeth said at 4:02 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    i could watch your life all day. lol.

  8. 8 Kiran M said at 4:08 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    yeh, the show must go on as they say ;)

    lol, i heard you have small motors in your shoes that keep u spinning lol haahaha

  9. 9 Kiran M said at 4:09 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    and even funnier, some online peeps seem to think you’re a new character by Sacha Cohen (ali.h/borat) LOL//crazy.

  10. 10 Mohammed Tayeb said at 4:28 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Well done Ryan, this must have been extremely difficult without properly working mics! Keep it up.

  11. 11 Facebook User said at 4:44 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    That made me dizzy! lol Can’t wait for the Album. Got all the singles.

  12. 12 Facebook User said at 5:07 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    True entertainer right there people – props for stayin cool bout the situation and still putting on a great performance. I still cant believe how many spins ya did haa – that was jus flat out AMAZING! I thought u’d never stop haa.

    On the concerts tip – if u ever interested in playin at USC (University of Southern California) – get at me, im one people in charge of concerts there, and I’d love to get you to perform sometime soon here.

    Take Care
    – R. Pizano

  13. 13 Doug Lee said at 5:31 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Cant wait for the album too…been pushed back way too long.

  14. 14 Facebook User said at 6:29 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Ryan Leslie, you are da man! long time fan! keep up the excellent work! A true Talent!

  15. 15 Facebook User said at 6:38 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Looks like you did a great job! If I did that many spins, I may have fell straight to the ground, lol! Great to see that you went to a high school though b/c it probably means alot to them. Peace and luv,

    ~Ms. Instrumental~

  16. 16 Facebook User said at 6:39 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    I love the way you improvised by using the announcer’s wired mic instead of slowing down :-) Keep it up and can’t wait for your album.

  17. 17 Maurice Moye said at 7:06 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    When you show out like this in a gym, I can’t wait to see you in concert man!

  18. 18 Jad Douah said at 7:44 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    r-les keep it goin man a multitalented artist like u will always stay in the top!!!!!!

  19. 19 Jad Douah said at 7:48 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    ryan when is ur germany tour starting and where???

  20. 20 Jose Quezada said at 8:18 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    hahaha, first the music messes up and you have to go accapella which the audience did the work for u basically, now u have to switch 4 mics…. THEY TRYNA PUT U IN THE BOX, UNSTOPABLE

  21. 21 Yavuz Erdogan said at 8:27 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Great job Ryan!

    Hope you willl come to good old Germany pretty soon! :-)

  22. 22 Denise Behler said at 8:32 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    @Jad & Yavuz:

    http://www.boese.biz/acts.php?action=details&actid=22

    So what will you do next weekend? xD

  23. 23 Derrica Lavon Wilson said at 10:04 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Oh my gosh Ryan, you never fail to amaze me!!!! If I saw you in concert I’d probably die. Nah, my voice would just be shot for like a month straight. Well….counting down Ryan, Feb. 10th is almost here!!!! CAN’T WAIT!!!

  24. 24 Kierra Gray said at 10:22 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    LOL at the 17 consecutive spins!!! You did that!! :]
    if i find out you’re in Dallas anytime, i’ll be there for sure!!

    Much love,

    P.S. if you get a chance, check out my music page! I’m sure you’d enjoy music :]

    K Gray.
    [www.myspace.com/kierragray]

  25. 25 Ngungu Muyovwe said at 10:35 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Love your creative “buzz” marketing strategies..

    TONGADUDE

  26. 26 Shaun Hinchy said at 10:37 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Haha, thats awesome.

    Don’t worry though man, most crowds are a bit more active than that. Just sat there all ignoring and stuff.

    Also… I hear that little Prince sample that pops in there ;)

  27. 27 Sapaan Shah said at 11:24 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Man thats tight! It would be hella cool if you performed out here in the Bay man!

  28. 28 Facebook User said at 11:37 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Crazy performance. Hope that one day you’ll perform at Montreal.

  29. 29 Miles D Mcconnell said at 11:49 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    HOW DOES HE DO IT?

  30. 30 Aaron Watson said at 11:50 am on January 23rd, 2009:

    Nice performance even with the mic performance. you did you’re thing Mr. Leslie, Keep on keeping on.

  31. 31 Facebook User said at 12:24 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Hey Ryan, you’re on it! Just caught your new video ‘How it’s supposed to be’ on 106 & Park slamming… I can’t wait for your album out in February. And if you jam in a gym like this can’t wait to see you in a full-blown concert!

  32. 32 Mnd Bndr said at 12:29 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Impressive as usual ryan. Your producing/songwriting skills are dope! Showing you love from UOP in Stockton, CA, I’m sure is a very familiar city to you! Keep up the good work!

  33. 33 Habib Benhaddou said at 12:45 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    RYAN STOP SINGING PLEASE JUST PRODUCE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE A GIFT FOR…

  34. 34 Denise Behler said at 12:47 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    SMH @ Habib

  35. 35 Omar Blanco said at 1:02 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    tight work. 17 spins & u wasnt dizzy? haha

  36. 36 Justin Adams said at 1:14 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    haha that was awesome! now u just need 2 come to my college and do the same thing lol. I’m wonderin why Mr. Benhaddou doesn’t seem to think you can sing tho…maybe he doesn’t have ears…o well. Keep it up Ryan! I’m lovin it!

  37. 37 Tyron Rosheuvel said at 1:20 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    What more can we say?
    This is how artists should be, and they applauded accordingly.

    I’ll be seeing you in Germany, Ryan.

  38. 38 Facebook User said at 1:22 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    That 360 spin was dope….

    http://www.lovelifeswagger.com/

  39. 39 Xavier DeJesus said at 2:04 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Word R-les u was in mass u was type close 2 me damn i wish i was up there… been dyin 2 see u perform im in Hartford CT im sayin u gotta hit up CT!!

  40. 40 Joseph A. Sayers said at 2:05 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    That was some crazy spins. ha

  41. 41 Titus BigTigga Best said at 2:25 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Killed The Spins and the announcer at the table has the funniest unconcerned looked on his face. You rocked the crowd Homie!!!!

  42. 42 Ty Cody said at 3:54 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Ryan, once again rocked it!!

    Will you please get in contact with me about doing a lecture at the Institute of Production and Recording in downtown Minneapolis please and thank you!

    ~Ty
    http://www.tycody.com
    validchoice@gmail.com

  43. 43 Ty Cody said at 3:55 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Ryan, once again you rocked it!!

    Did you get my voicemail?

    Will you please get in contact with me about doing a lecture at the Institute of Production and Recording in downtown Minneapolis please and thank you!

    ~Ty
    http://www.tycody.com
    validchoice@gmail.com

  44. 44 Kristal HawtRawks Lewis said at 5:18 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    DATS GANGSTER YO!….LOLZ ^_^

  45. 45 Sara K. Diamond said at 5:25 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    ah man.. cant wait 4 da album.. AWESOME!

  46. 46 Alexia Cohall said at 5:45 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    working it as usual, your simply the best.

  47. 47 Raymond Fernando said at 6:06 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Awesome stuff! Keep up the hard work with the tours and grinding across country!

  48. 48 Alejandro Hernández said at 6:25 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Ryan, you’re a genie!!I’m sure that you will have a Legend degree…you work so hard, you do everything!!No artist can do what you do…
    And I’m from Spain, I met you thanks for the remix of 6 of 1 thing for Craig David (awesome!!) and since then you’re one of my selective favourite artist. 10 February, the legend goes…!

  49. 49 Dayveion Thomas said at 9:02 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Dang!! I said to myself “Ok, he’s spinning, still spinning, spinning some more….: LoL! Now I gotta figure out a way to add my own flavor to that move!

  50. 50 Brandon Cox said at 10:05 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    Looks like a lot of fun. I’ve rocked quite a few high schools too in my day…so I know exactly how it is. Except with the mics I’ve always had one of my group members switch with me. We got so good at it that it looks like part of the show…lol.

    Anyways, I’m impressed with the spins. Idk how u did that bruh…lol.

  51. 51 Brian Skerritt said at 11:38 pm on January 23rd, 2009:

    man, i just read something that said a record label refused to release his album last year. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?!! If Soulja Boy can put out his “music” on a record than R.LES mine as well be in the oval office. Everybody in my circle loves and APPRECIATES the MUSIC and people need to realize how gifted this dude really is…..period.

  52. 52 Dameron Mr Maestro Growe said at 12:09 am on January 24th, 2009:

    You’re truly an amazing performer. The crowd wasn’t giving you energy at first and you found a way to pull it out of them and rocked it. February…R.Les Takes Over

  53. 53 Patrick Edmundson said at 12:22 am on January 24th, 2009:

    U and those darn spins LOL! You already know you’re the man…Man! Keep up the great work and i can’t wait for the album to finally come out. This is your favorite dj from NC Black Dragon AKA….well u see the real name LOL
    Peace!!!

  54. 54 Jeffrey Sanchez said at 12:35 am on January 24th, 2009:

    Keep on doing what your doing plus the crazy spin lol. I’m just waiting for your album to come out. I even have my friends and family on to your music it’s hot stuff… well you already have a fan here.Be safe and keep on with the hard work Ryan.

  55. 55 Nick Ano said at 1:49 am on January 24th, 2009:

    hey man i don’t want to sound stupid or anything. The way your doing music is insane its GOOD music just the way it should be. Its about passion and making people feel good wanna get up in dance. you prolly wont read this but yeah its worth a try eh? Im trying to attend columbia college n chicago to learn more about producing and the processes, I play the piano too. cept moneys really tight now and i can’t afford to chase my dream. so im struck at a college i don’t wanna be at. I was just woundering about any internships anything I could do for “NS” clean, run errands anything I’m down I just need the experiance and your honestly the only producer today doing shit right…. but yeah sorry for talking your ear off in wasting your time if i did but hey when one person tells you no you dont stop following a dream right?!? thanks for your time.

    Nick

  56. 56 Daytona Jones said at 6:19 pm on January 24th, 2009:

    The Ryan Leslie Spin, will be equivalent to the Michael Jackson MoonWalk. Can You Do It?

  57. 57 Matthew Jones said at 7:11 pm on January 24th, 2009:

    From some one trained in salsa dance and other dances – that spin was on point- and while singing -and the dizziness did not come into play. Big up.

  58. 58 Aisha Nshimba said at 1:22 am on January 25th, 2009:

    ii LOVED iT HE HAD THE JUDGE Lo0KiN @ HiM CRAZY.Even the crowd looked a little unappreciative including the corner with the wierd coaches or whatever he did his thing i loved how he was feelin’ his music on the last bit with the whole arm thing for the clash so cute and the spin how did he do that? lol

  59. 59 Rue Tsoka said at 1:15 pm on January 26th, 2009:

    Hahaha! :D Very nice.
    I love the way you work the crowd–definitely a sign of a good performer. (One of the cheerleaders looked like she just might faint!)
    It’s great that you’re really seeing the fruits of your labor and getting recognition. I know I sure have been telling my friends about you!

  60. 60 Shawn Randall said at 5:24 pm on January 26th, 2009:

    Well done Mr. Leslie. Can’t wait for the album. Let me know how I can be of service to help you promote online. Connect with me at http://www.twitter.com/shawnrandall

    Peace and Light,
    Shawn “Mr. Symphonics Live” Randall

  61. 61 Katelyn Aariel Rivera said at 7:25 pm on January 26th, 2009:

    you are the truth ryan… i adore you…

    ;-D

  62. 62 Ngungu Muyovwe said at 10:56 pm on January 26th, 2009:

    Ryan Leslie Fans, Check out his remix to Craig Davids 6 of 1 thing record…. Wicked

  63. 63 Karl D. Louhisdon Jr. said at 5:33 am on January 27th, 2009:

    Lol. That was hot. I know they were mad that you spun on their nicely shined court but, what do they expect. Your a great showman. Keep doin work bro. I can;t wait for tha album to drop. Been a long time coming.

  64. 64 Bally Khehra said at 5:28 pm on January 27th, 2009:

    I can do 3 spins….couldn’t do any a week ago.

    Watch out!

  65. 65 Francis Ombese said at 3:50 am on January 29th, 2009:

    Latest!!!

  66. 66 Billy Matthews said at 1:07 pm on January 29th, 2009:

    mogal in the making you cant help but like this guy

  67. 67 Clarisse Adriana said at 12:07 am on April 1st, 2009:

    the whole time i was screamin inside “i wish i was there!!!”
    at a high skool?- wished it were mine
    pointin at people?- wished it were me
    lettin cheerleaders sing into ur mic?- wished i were still a cheerleader lol

    not even a figure skater could make those 17 spins look so good

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