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.

Comments (46) | Add a Comment

yo this be nadirah right here you know but like spectacular
you look so good and sexy ijust want to eat you awwwwwwwwwwwww you make me grind
nadirah | nadirah@aol.com | June 02, 2005

Now Spectacular u kno u is to sexy for all dat I like ur abs
Neicey | BrownieLilM | June 03, 2005

Spectacular e mail me or sumthin i just think u r soo cute especially in this lil video pic i love ur hair and body and everything!!! always
~Cheetah~
Southern Blustars
Cheetah aka spactaculars gurl! | Cheetahgilrkia12@aol.com | June 04, 2005

He the sexiest blessing I've ever saw!!!!
His body is #1!!!
Bria Beaufort | Bri_z_yie@yahoo.com | June 06, 2005

Get at me.Hit me up on the yahoo you sweet,sexy thang you!!!
Bria Beaufort | Bri_z_yie@yahoo.com | June 06, 2005

I love your songs Iwould like to get to no you better than I now you now. how old are you in the others. Why want you come come in Grind With Me in my bed. Why you want come to West Dallas. WHAT WRONG WITH WEST DALLAS!!!!!!!!!!!!


Love-Lay-Lay
Holla at your gurl
latiana Smith nickname lay-lay | lilsexylillaylay@yahoo.com | June 08, 2005

Your body is like "O" YOU GOT THAT BODY PRETTY RICKY.In you hot, sexy cute. Don"t wear about what no body say you look good when I be in one of your video.Iam kind of shy but I will open up when I see you Baby .Just no this you are mine
Latiana Smith | lilsexylillaylau@yahoo.com | June 08, 2005

all i want is 4 SPECTACULAR IS 2 GRIND WITH ME CAUSE HISBODY IS SO SEXEY ALSO PLESURE
keke | nadirah@aol.com | June 19, 2005

I wanna grind wit u!!!!!!!!!11
Laniece | down_souf_ga_girl@yahoo.com | June 22, 2005

I wanna grind wit u!!!!!!!!!11
Laniece | down_souf_ga_girl@yahoo.com | June 22, 2005

when I first saw this video I just thought you was so fine I could not keep my eyes off you for one sec.
queisha | spectacular gurl18 | July 04, 2005

baby you look to fine i would like to grind on that
racheal | racheal24@hotmail.com | July 16, 2005

yo man he sexy watup yah...
man i wish my man was fine lik tha
naenae | misbof2hotmail.com | November 03, 2005

baby grind on me relax yo body
tak yo time on me....
damm u sexy...but pleaz excuz me but let me
touch yo body its 2 (spectaculare)
naenae | misbof@hotmail.com | November 03, 2005

I love spectacular he is my baby and all yall dont no nothing about him i know hes age 18 i know every thing yall haters and yall wut 10 11 12 13 14 15 he dont want no chap im 19years old peace I love u spectacular me and u can play house.............
Anonymous | November 04, 2005    Next