At a time when the music marketplace is flooded with carbon copy rappers rhyming over recycled hip-hop beats, a new generation
of talent is poised on the cusp of the come-up. Not since the Jackson 5 has the world witnessed a band of musical brothers
whose high energy and artistic ability epitomize the phrase blood is thicker than water. That is, until this quartet
of Miami-bred kinfolk appeared. Pleasure, Slick 'Em, Baby Blue, and Spectacular comprise the hip-hop ensemble known
as Pretty Ricky, and they have emerged with a unique flair, coupled with the discipline and tenacity that breeds chart-topping
success.
Their unparalleled style stems from their unorthodox line-up, consisting of three rappers – Slick 'Em, Baby Blue,
and Spectacular, and one singer – Pleasure. Pretty Ricky has been aggressively grinding in the Sunshine State
and throughout the southeast since 1997.
The guys learned at an early age the value of a hard work ethic. The boys had their very own Joe Jackson in their
father, Blue Smith, whom they affectionately call "'ol boy." Blue was the staunch disciplinarian, ensuring that his
boys were developing and perfecting their craft.
Humbly beginning as pre-teen dancers for an older brother who was on the verge of his own solo career, the troop performed
Miami-based hood dances in the background of his show. Their high-paced antics propelled them into the foreground in
the eyes of the audience and not long after, the boys began to contemplate becoming students in the school of hip-hop.
Spectacular, Slick 'Em, and Baby Blue were influenced by The Jackson 5, *NSYNC, Immature, Nelly, Tupac, and The Notorious
B.I.G., while the group’s lone resident crooner, Pleasure, was honing in on Immature, Usher, Keith Sweat, Stevie Wonder,
and Gerald Levert. But influences can only take you so far – what they needed was to find their own voice.
They teamed up with producer Jim Jonsin of Unusual Suspects production team fame (responsible for Trick Daddy’s recent
smash, "Let’s Go"), and history was in the making.
"We want to be trendsetters. Everything somebody is doing, we try and go against the grain and do something else
just to be different," declares Baby Blue, the serious, business-minded member of the group. Becoming known for their
onstage dance ability, the fellas also began to express their unique style with their attire. Donning themselves in
sparkling head-to-toe outfits, they became known as "those glitter boys," notes Slick 'Em. As a result, the brothers
even developed their own clothing line, Marco De Bleu.
By 2002, Pretty Ricky began tasting greater success with their song "Flossin’," which began buzzing on Miami radio
station Power 96. With its infectious Miami bass beat and hook – "me and you, and you and me/y’all ridin’
on some 22’s and 23’s/we ridin’ on some 24’s down on the beach/no one flosses better/we flossin’
forever" – it was an instant hit with their rapidly growing female fan base. The ladies began to request the song
on the radio, helping to rapidly increase the momentum and popularity of the group.
Pretty Ricky continued grinding and hustling – writing songs, building relationships with their fans, and doing
lots of shows. They have opened for some of hip-hop’s heavyweights, including Run-DMC, Lil Jon, Trick Daddy, Trina,
and newcomer, fellow Miami comrade Pitbull, whom they cite as someone who has "opened doors, shown us a lot of love, and taught
us a lot," announces Spectacular.
In late-2004, Power 96 began playing another Pretty Ricky track, "Grind With Me," with its mellow, head-nodding melody,
and their ladies immediately began demanding to hear the song. It instantly became the #2 most requested song on the
station, and the group made history when it went on to become the most requested song in the station’s history.
In December 2004, Atlantic Records Co-Chairman/COO Craig Kallman was in Miami, where he felt the huge buzz surrounding
Pretty Ricky, witnessed a hysteria-generating live show, and hosted an impromptu audition in his hotel room. All of
the training 'ol boy instilled in his boys, conjoined with their years of hard work on the road, culminated at that very moment…
Kallman made them an offer on the spot. "Although other offers were on the table, the impression Craig gave our father
was like… 'we’re going to take care of them,’" recalls Baby Blue. "And they shook on it right there,"
notes Spectacular.
Keeping their entrepreneurial spirit alive, Pretty Ricky’s debut album, "BLUESTARS," will be released by Atlantic
in association with the group’s own Blue Star Entertainment International imprint.
Pretty Ricky pride themselves on maintaining the niche they have created throughout the years, appealing to the ladies
while maintaining their unique look and style of music. "You can’t compare us because what we’re doing ain’t
never been done before," states Baby Blue. "We hit every aspect of music. We do club music, party music, love
songs, 'I hate you’ songs. We try to cover everything, since we’re a hip-hop group. Our main focus
is toward the ladies. Everything we do is for the ladies."
Pleasure croons about his requited love interest on the hook of "Can’t Live Without You," over a bluesy electric
guitar while his brothers rhyme about their personal experiences of the people in their lives they can’t live without.
"Get Up," a definite club hit featuring Pitbull, with its anthemic horns, pulsating drums, and chorus chant, is reminiscent
of Trick Daddy’s hit "Let’s Go." "La, La, La, La" has the 808 bass bumping as the crew represents where
they are from over a catchy chorus.
And with songs like "Girlfriend," "Age Ain’t Nothing," and "Would You Be Mine," it’s clear whom Pretty Ricky
intends to impress. Plain and simple, "we are the sex symbols of the South," asserts Spectacular. "It’s
like a team full of Jordans where everybody is a star." And that’s Pretty Ricky.