Pretty Ricky, originally comprised of siblings; Diamond "Baby Blue" Smith, Spectacular Smith [these two share the same mother, the other two are half-brothers], Corey "Slick 'em" Mathis and Marcus "Pleasure P" Cooper, literally burst onto the music scene with their sexually charged 2005 hit baby-maker, Grind With Me, which was featured on the group's Gold selling, premier offering, Bluestars.
Although only moderately successful compared to that of Pretty Ricky's debut, their sophomore outing, Late Night Special, released in 2007, still managed to land a few chart worthy entries; On The Hotline, Push It Baby, and Love Like Honey.
Plans were soon underway for a third album, Eighties Babies, with the fellas even dropping a pair of decent singles; Cuddle Up, a duet with their female counterparts, Butta Creame, as well as their re-interpretation of the H-Town ballad, Knockin' Boots '08. However, due to internal conflicts within the group itself, as well as their recording home, Atlantic Records, that project was ultimately shelved.
With a collection of all brand new, self-titled material, on their very own boutique imprint, Bluestar Entertainment, not to mention the inclusion of yet another member, and most importantly, a more astute business sense, Pretty Ricky are finally positioned to take the game by storm...
With this new album also comes the addition of another member, the interestingly named, Lingerie -- How did you all come to recruit him? And, what exactly does Lingerie bring to the Pretty Ricky line-up?
Diamond Blue: Lingerie had a #1 record in Pittsburgh, and he's the key to the city, so it only made sense. He's a perfect fit. Lingerie brings a smooth, sexy voice for the ladies.
In your own words, what actually caused, first, Pleasure P, and, now, Christopher "Ambition/4Play" Myers to leave the group? And, are you all still in touch with either of your former group-mates?
Diamond Blue: Pleasure is cool with us. We wish him the best. As for 4Play, he didn't fit in the group. Just like I said, Lingerie is the perfect fit. It feels like he been with us forever!
Now following the release of your last single, Knockin' Boots '08, an updated version of the H-Town classic, you all were either dropped or opted to leave Atlantic Recordings -- Can you tell me exactly what happened with that whole situation?
Diamond Blue: We leveraged the success we had with the release of Pleasure first, 2 singles, and got Pretty Ricky released. Masters and a substantial amount of monies were paid in exchange for the rights to Pleasure. Pretty Ricky was one of WEA's top 5 grossing artists. Three out of the five are rock bands. We have always been signed to Bluestar Records.
What happened to the much hyped, yet now shelved, Eighties Babies LP?
Diamond Blue: Eighties Babies was leaked, and we opted not to release and damage our sales history with accounts like Wal Mart, Best Buy, and iTunes. We still own those masters.
Pretty Ricky are now dropping on your very own imprint, Bluestar Entertainment, correct? So, who actually makes up the company's artist roster?
Spectacular: Pretty Ricky has been signed to Bluestar Entertainment since the beginning. The venture with Atlantic was not direct with Pretty Ricky. Bluestar is entirely independent. Diamond Blue, member of Pretty Ricky and President of Bluestar, decides roster. We plan on delivering in the future from other artists, but as of now Pretty Ricky is the most successful.
Are Butta Creame and Meat & Bones still a part of the Bluestar family?
Spectacular: Butta Creame and Meat & Bones are still down with Bluestar.
Tell me how you all first came together to form Pretty Ricky?
Spectacular: Diamond Blue and Slick started rapping in suspension at school. Started booking studio time, and incorporated Spectacular. Pretty was then formed.
When did the music go from being a hobby to an actual profession?
Diamond Blue: We always wanted to be professional artists, so we learned the business.
How do you all categorize the Pretty Ricky sound? And, what role does each of you play when it comes to a PR composition?
Lingerie: It's bedroom music! Real vintage R&B -- We take it back to real R&B music like Jodeci, R. Kelly, and Keith Sweat did in the 1990's. And, it's a complete 100% effort from each member in the group.
How did you all originally come up with the name Pretty Ricky?
Diamond Blue: Pretty Ricky was a name the group got inspiration to use from an episode of Martin -- "Hey, Pretty Ricky what they call him!"
Success, what has been the recipe for yours?
Lingerie: We, as a group, feel like the key to success and sustaining the success is basically staying true to our fans, and what our fans expect from us -- Just being consistent, and always giving them the good love that they've always got from us.
Earlier we briefly discussed what's going on with the label, Bluestar Entertainment, but I understand there are a few other things that you all are currently working on as well?
Lingerie: Well, we all have aspirations outside of music in terms of business goals. Diamond Blue is the future super-producer in the game, Spectacular has his modeling thing and jewelry company, spectacularice.com, I have dreams of being a songwriter, and Slick 'em is master of the streets. Anything dealing with the streets he has the people on lock. So, it's still all about music for us, but the future is bright and anything else is possible.
As of late, it seems as though R&B music has been suffering, not only due to the state of the business of music, but also from a creative standpoint in terms of what's being put out there -- Do you all agree with that assessment?
Lingerie: It's pretty good right now. There is a lot of creative things going on in the R&B world, but it could be better. We want to bring back true R&B music. The file sharing and bootlegging is a serious black-eye on the industry. It has to stop! Respect the music please.
What is the one thing that you all want your "true" fans to know about Pretty Ricky?
Lingerie: The fans should know that we are real serious businessmen. We are all very well versed in the business side of things as far as music goes. And also, what we talk about in our songs is true. We live that life!
As a collective, what are some of your favorite things to do together?
Lingerie: Well, in our off-time, we really try to stay on our grind. Jumping in the studio, and just keeping our clip loaded! We serious about what we do!
What do your future goals and plans in entertainment consist of?
Spectacular: We want to stay relevant in the music business, continue to make good quality music, and satisfy our fans and gain more fans.
What's next for Pretty Ricky?
Lingerie: Just going to keep pushing and promoting our new single Tipsy (In Dis Club), and upcoming singles to follow. Kick off our tour in November, and continue to promote for the eventual release of our new album on November 17th.
Oh, cool, so you all are embarking on a tour then in November?
Diamond Blue: Tour begins in November. The other acts who will be with us on tour, like, Dorrough, GS Boyz, B-Hamp, Hurricane Chris, amongst others. But, we will be the headliners!
What's to be expected from a Pretty Ricky performance?
Lingerie: You can expect explosive energy from top to bottom. Non-stop, serious entertainment! It's going to be a fun and sexy ride!
Are there any other outside cameos, or guest appearances, coming up from you all soon?
Lingerie: Well, we are really just focused on our music and establishing our production company, Music Royale Productions -- Strictly in-house!
Sadly, the world lost the greatest entertainer who ever lived -- What was your first reaction upon hearing the tragic news? How does Michael Jackson's untimely passing affect, not only you, but, music in general? And, in the wake of his demise, what does this mean for the future of recorded music?
Lingerie: Well, when Mr. Michael Jackson passed, it was a serious blow to every one of us individually -- I cried, we all cried! The whole world mourned. His death affects all of us in both a negative and positive manner. I say positively because even after his death, his legacy lives on and he will continue to inspire the entire world and music industry even after his death. He was monumental to us all in so many ways. The future of music is bright, and should continue to take a page from Michael Jackson's book of music. He was the consummate professional in every aspect of music. He will be sorely missed!
I definitely echo those sentiments! So, do you all have any parting words?
Lingerie: Parting words? Hey get that album November 17th! Much love to the fans across the world! Let's make history together! Peace!
- By Todd Davis
