Pretty Ricky

Pretty Ricky is a hip hop and R&B music group formed in Miami.http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pretty-ricky-p699965 Though most of the members have been making music together since 1997, their debut album Bluestars dropped in 2005 after they were signed by Atlantic Records.http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pretty-ricky-p699965<ref>http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/pretty_ricky/artist.jhtml The record synthesized rap riffs with R&B melodies.http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pretty-ricky-p699965 Most recognized by their throbbing beats and often sexually explicit lyrics, Pretty Ricky's members told MTV that their goal is to cover a broad range of life in their songs, which is why they record love songs, hate songs, party songs and club music.http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/pretty_ricky/artist.jhtml Ultimately, they noted, their music-making philosophy is geared toward making tracks with women in mind.http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/pretty_ricky/artist.jhtml

In 2008, original member Pleasure P left the group and pursued a solo singing career.http://www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Ricky His role in Pretty Ricky was briefly filled by Christopher "4play" Myers before Manny Ramon "Lingerie" Deanda permanently rounded out the group's lineup.http://www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Rickyhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/pretty-ricky-p699965 Pleasure P, born Marcus Cooper, faced legal troubles in 2009 when he was accused of child molestation.http://www.theboombox.com/2010/12/30/pleasure-p-prepares-for-war-against-pretty-ricky-members/ He maintained his innocence.http://www.theboombox.com/2010/12/30/pleasure-p-prepares-for-war-against-pretty-ricky-members/ After Pleasure P's child molestation charges were leaked to the public, members of Pretty Ricky released a statement saying they had kicked him out of the group.http://www.theboombox.com/2010/12/30/pleasure-p-prepares-for-war-against-pretty-ricky-members/ On December 28, 2010, he bashed his former groupmates via Twitter, vowing to return to the music scene with more commercial success than them and publicizing his latest single "She Likes."http://www.theboombox.com/2010/12/30/pleasure-p-prepares-for-war-against-pretty-ricky-members/

The members of Pretty Ricky wanted to break into the music world from an early age.http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/pretty_ricky/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd They developed an interest in the hip hop scene after they garnered attention as backup dancers for Diamond and Spectacular's older brother, who was working on his own singing career.http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/pretty_ricky/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd Under the tutelage of Blue Smith, Diamond and Spectacular's father, the group honed their chops, started performing around Miami and released independent singles like "Flossin'."http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/pretty_ricky/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd

"Grind with Me," the first single off their 2005 major label debut, rose up the Billboard Hot 100 charts and peaked at #7. Their second album Late Night Special topped the Billboard 200 when it came out.http://www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Ricky Eighties Babies, the group's third effort, was scheduled for release in 2008 but was scrapped after much of it was leaked on the Internet.http://www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Rickyhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/pretty-ricky-p699965/discography The self-titled album Pretty Ricky was released in 2009 on Bluestar Entertainment, the band's self-owned label.http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pretty-ricky-p699965/discography

• Pleasure P (went solo in 2008)

• Spectacular Smith

• Diamond "Baby Blue" Smith

• Corey "Slick 'Em" Mathis

• Christopher "Ambition/4play" Myers (joined after Pleasure P left the group)

• Manny Ramon "Lingerie" Deanda (replaced Myers)http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pretty-ricky-p699965http://www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Ricky

• 2005: Bluestars

• 2007: Late Night Special

• 2008: Eighties Babies (Unreleased)

• 2009: Pretty Rickyhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/pretty-ricky-p699965/discography