Producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, entrepreneur and recording artist Ryan Leslie will release his third studio album, Les Is More on October 22 via NextSelection Lifestyle Group/BDG (BDG is distributed by RED Distribution, a division of   SONY Music Entertainment). The first single from the album “Beautiful Lie” featuring Fabolous is being serviced to mixshow radio.

 Les Is More is the first rap album from Ryan Leslie, and is the follow up to the Grammy-nominated R&B album Transition released in late 2009. Les Is More is influenced by Leslie’s collaborations with top rap artists such as Fabolous and Kanye West, both of whom appear in the video for the autobiographical track “Glory.” Leslie was further inspired when he sat in for the recording sessions of the Grammy award-winning album Watch the Throne. “Watching Jay and Ye’s creative process further inspired me that rap was the right direction for this album. However, I also knew that a departure from my previous critically acclaimed R&B work would require an even more robust artistic contribution.”

Fueled by that challenge, Ryan Leslie created an unprecedented body of work. Along with the music which was written, arranged, produced and performed by Leslie, he also directed and edited a series of music videos to accompany each record. The result, Les Is More is a ground-breaking visual album shot in Paris, Milan, Switzerland, Miami, Las Vegas, and Manhattan that provides a unique and intimate window into Ryan Leslie’s life.

Leslie kicked off his world Les Is More Tour in San Francisco on September 18. Below is a current listing of tour dates and more shows will be announced on LesIsMoreTour.com.

Les Is More Tour Dates

Sep 18                   Ruby Skye – San Francisco, CA

Sep 19                   Roxy Theatre – West Hollywood, CA

Sep 20                   The Cosmopolitan of LV – Las Vegas, NV

Sep 21                   Club Red – Tempe, AZ

Sep 29                   Showcase Live – Foxborough, MA

Oct 02                   Howard Theatre – Washington, DC

Oct 04                   Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY

Oct 05                   Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA

Oct 11                     Virgin Mobile Mod Club – Toronto, Canada

Oct 14                   Pavilion (UC Davis) – Davis, CA