After graduating from Harvard with a degree in government, Ryan Leslie first made his mark in music as a producer. His early work with Cassie garnered attention from major figures, and he was quickly turned around hits for Beyoncé, New Edition, and Danity Kane. Far from canned radio hits, his tracks always contain a bouquet of sonic surprises. His solo work combined his slippery production tricks with a dashing vocalist, proving that the newcomer was not only smart, but also suave. This playlist should prove to be the beginning of a beautiful career.