Post by Tiko Sidora♥ on Jul 14, 2005 11:57:37 GMT -6
Pretty Ricky _ the full interview
By CRYSTAL NANCE and SPENCER HARDWICK TeenStar
The Miami-based hip-hop group Pretty Ricky was in town recently. TeenStar caught up with the four young men before they hit the stage.
TS: One thing that’s so interesting about Pretty Ricky is that each of you has something different that you bring to the group. What are some?
Spectacular: I bring the sex appeal to the group. I’m always the one dancing and basically just bringing a lot of energy to our performances. Slick’em brings a sort of wildness, and he kind of acts like the rebel of the group. Baby Blue is the most conservative type. Pleasure is the smooth one. Being the singer, he definitely has a way with the ladies.
How did you get the name of your debut album, “Bluestars”?
Pleasure: Oh, that’s a tribute to our daddy (Ol’ Boy). His name is Blue Smith, and the name of our record label is Blue Star Entertainment International. So we just tried to put Blue Star on the map by naming our debut album that.
Slick’Em: Man, let me break it down for ’em real quick. Our dad, Ol’ Boy, has about “fiftyleven” kids, and all of them are stars. He’s got kids that are football players, basketball players and even some who are going to Ivy League schools, and being that his name is “Blue,” we decided to call the album “Bluestars.”
Who are some musical artists that you all idolized growing up in Miami?
Spectacular: For me, its gotta be Keith Sweat, Jodeci, H-Town.
Baby Blue: I like Tupac, Jay-Z, Biggie, Outkast.
Pleasure: I still listen to a little old school like Immature, Jackson 5, Boyz II Men.
Slick’Em: I have a few of the same like Outkast, 8-Ball, Trick Daddy, Pitball, Prince, Elton John.
Prince and Elton John?
Slick’Em: Yeah, I was just playing with you though (starts laughing).
So what’s an average day in the life of Pretty Ricky now that you guys have become celebrities?
Spectacular: A lot of running. Showing dedication to the fans, talking on our Web site. But mainly just doing things for the fans because without them there is no Pretty Ricky.
So would you say Pretty Ricky’s No. 1 priority is the fans?
Pleasure: Definitely. We want to do things that make the fans happy because if they’re happy, we’re happy. They are the superstars and we’re the fans. We don’t even call them fans; we call them superstars now.
What are some of the obstacles you all have had to overcome… ?
Spectacular: Basically just grindin’ seven years strong. You have to deal with a whole lot when it comes to the industry. We have had to go through everything like sitting outside of a club for hours just waiting to perform.
Pleasure: We have been through everything every other artist has to go through. Then you have the Hollywood celebrities that act “Hollywood.” They sell a few records and think they are too good to talk to you all of a sudden. You have to deal with people like that, too. That is something we will never be. Never “Hollywood.”
You guys really keep it down to earth. I mean, just the fact that you all came to sit down for this interview right before a big performance is really impressive.
Baby Blue: We do everything for the fans, you know. Every chance we get to give a hug or an autograph, we’re gonna do it because we don’t want that Hollywood label.
What are you guys doing to make sure that Pretty Ricky is on the map for a long time?
Spectacular: Basically staying humble. You know, just be patient and know that everything won’t come so fast and just be ourselves. You have anything to add on that, Pleasure?
Pleasure: Just making the music our fans love. Keep showing love and dedication to everybody. That will carry you a long way because the same people you see going up are the same people you will see coming down, and a lot of people don’t realize that. They treat the smaller guys like dirt, and, come to find out, they might need those same people. You never know who you’re gonna end up in life. I grew up listening to Immature (shoutout to them), and now we know them. Russell Simmons, P. Diddy, we know them all now.
Spectacular: It’s a real blessing. You also have to remember to keep your faith first.
That’s pretty deep. What separates you all from other music groups like Boyz II Men, Jackson 5 etc.?
Baby Blue: Well, we have a combination that’s never happened before. I mean, three rappers and a singer has never been done. Plus we’re all brothers, so it’s not one star, it’s four stars. You don’t have just one Bow Wow, you have four. A lot of groups don’t have that. A lot of groups have one person that sticks out.
Pleasure: Then, on top of that, we’re from the streets first. So we don’t act “bougie.” We bring that street to the table, and people will respect you more if you are from the streets. They are loving us right now, so that’s a good luck for us.
You guys are loved everywhere. You are playing on Kansas City’s top three radio stations that teens listen to.
Pleasure: That’s the kind of music we make, feel-good music. Music that everyone can relate to. Our album might as well be called “The Compromise” because it’s music that old and young people can listen to.
Slick’Em: We’re also bringing that slow music back to the club. You got guys like Lil’ Jon who’s always talking about fighting. We are not into that. People don’t dress up real nice to go to the club and hear here that music all the time. We are trying to put Keith Sweat/Jodeci slow jam back to the club.
What’s the next hit on your album “Blue Stars”?
Pretty Ricky (in unison): Probably “Juicy”, or “Your Body.”
Pleasure: Man, but the whole album is so good that we should just put all the songs in a hat and shake it up to pick the next single.
Spectacular: Our motto is that we are not gonna make a song unless it’s a single. No filler on the album. Most groups make an album, put 2 or 3 two or three good songs on an album, and save the rest for the next project. Naw, that’s not us. We are putting all of the good stuff on one album
Kind of like a greatest-hits collection.
Slick’Em: That’s right. We want every song to be a classic. You can just put in the CD and press play.
Have any advice for artist artists trying to come up in the music industry?
Spectacular: Basically just keep grindin’ and stay humble. That’s the key because like we said, the same people you see going up are the same ones you’ll see coming down. … Stay hungry and remember where your you’re from.
Pleasure: Also remember whatever comes easy probably isn’t good for you. Whatever comes quick will go quick.
What’s been the hardest part of being a national celebrity?
Baby Blue: The hardest thing is trying to keep every single fan happy and also realizing who you are.
Pleasure: Yeah, realizing who you are is the hardest thing for me. You forget that. I can’t go anywhere anymore. I go to the mall and get kicked out because I caused a stampede. People get mad at you for it, but it’s hard remembering who you are. You know I just went to the mall to get some shoes, and I heard someone got trampled in the stampede. It’s hard.
I know you guys have to go, but our last question is what did you all think about Kansas City before you came and what do you think of it now?
Pleasure: Well, before I came, I thought it was like the “Wizard of Oz” city with Dorothy and everything, but it’s cool so far. I like the food, and the women really look good, and we should have a great time performing tonight.
Anything else you guys wanna tell your fans before you go perform?
Pleasure: Check us out at www.prettyricky.com . We are going to be one on the Scream 4 Tour with Bow Wow, Marques Houston, B5, Omarion, Bobby Valentino. It’s the tour of the summer
Baby Blue: All of us are SINGLE! Make sure you get that
Spectacular: We also have a new clothing line, Marco De Bleu. It will be at your local department stores. We also have our own reality show on MTV coming up called “Livin’ With the Blue Stars.”
Pleasure: Oh, yeah, we also have a movie coming out, but we don’t know the name yet. And were we’re also going overseas later this year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members: Four brothers. Three of which are rappers: Slick ’Em, Baby Blue and Spectacular, and one singer, Pleasure.
Hometown: Miami
Label: Atlantic Records
Clothing Line: Marco De Bleu
Tour: The Scream 4 Tour with Bow Wow, Marques Houston, B5, Omarion, Bobby Valentino.
In Kansas City Aug. 10.
Origin of name, Pretty Ricky: In an interview with SOHH.com, Pretty Ricky’s Pleasure explained: “All of us would dress alike in school. So when we come around the corner in the hallway, all the girls used to be like, ‘Oh, y’all so cute, y’all so pretty.’ Martin Lawrence had a show out at the time, and there was an episode with Pretty Ricky Fontaine. So Pretty Ricky is what they called us from the show. It just stuck with us from there ever since.”
By CRYSTAL NANCE and SPENCER HARDWICK TeenStar
The Miami-based hip-hop group Pretty Ricky was in town recently. TeenStar caught up with the four young men before they hit the stage.
TS: One thing that’s so interesting about Pretty Ricky is that each of you has something different that you bring to the group. What are some?
Spectacular: I bring the sex appeal to the group. I’m always the one dancing and basically just bringing a lot of energy to our performances. Slick’em brings a sort of wildness, and he kind of acts like the rebel of the group. Baby Blue is the most conservative type. Pleasure is the smooth one. Being the singer, he definitely has a way with the ladies.
How did you get the name of your debut album, “Bluestars”?
Pleasure: Oh, that’s a tribute to our daddy (Ol’ Boy). His name is Blue Smith, and the name of our record label is Blue Star Entertainment International. So we just tried to put Blue Star on the map by naming our debut album that.
Slick’Em: Man, let me break it down for ’em real quick. Our dad, Ol’ Boy, has about “fiftyleven” kids, and all of them are stars. He’s got kids that are football players, basketball players and even some who are going to Ivy League schools, and being that his name is “Blue,” we decided to call the album “Bluestars.”
Who are some musical artists that you all idolized growing up in Miami?
Spectacular: For me, its gotta be Keith Sweat, Jodeci, H-Town.
Baby Blue: I like Tupac, Jay-Z, Biggie, Outkast.
Pleasure: I still listen to a little old school like Immature, Jackson 5, Boyz II Men.
Slick’Em: I have a few of the same like Outkast, 8-Ball, Trick Daddy, Pitball, Prince, Elton John.
Prince and Elton John?
Slick’Em: Yeah, I was just playing with you though (starts laughing).
So what’s an average day in the life of Pretty Ricky now that you guys have become celebrities?
Spectacular: A lot of running. Showing dedication to the fans, talking on our Web site. But mainly just doing things for the fans because without them there is no Pretty Ricky.
So would you say Pretty Ricky’s No. 1 priority is the fans?
Pleasure: Definitely. We want to do things that make the fans happy because if they’re happy, we’re happy. They are the superstars and we’re the fans. We don’t even call them fans; we call them superstars now.
What are some of the obstacles you all have had to overcome… ?
Spectacular: Basically just grindin’ seven years strong. You have to deal with a whole lot when it comes to the industry. We have had to go through everything like sitting outside of a club for hours just waiting to perform.
Pleasure: We have been through everything every other artist has to go through. Then you have the Hollywood celebrities that act “Hollywood.” They sell a few records and think they are too good to talk to you all of a sudden. You have to deal with people like that, too. That is something we will never be. Never “Hollywood.”
You guys really keep it down to earth. I mean, just the fact that you all came to sit down for this interview right before a big performance is really impressive.
Baby Blue: We do everything for the fans, you know. Every chance we get to give a hug or an autograph, we’re gonna do it because we don’t want that Hollywood label.
What are you guys doing to make sure that Pretty Ricky is on the map for a long time?
Spectacular: Basically staying humble. You know, just be patient and know that everything won’t come so fast and just be ourselves. You have anything to add on that, Pleasure?
Pleasure: Just making the music our fans love. Keep showing love and dedication to everybody. That will carry you a long way because the same people you see going up are the same people you will see coming down, and a lot of people don’t realize that. They treat the smaller guys like dirt, and, come to find out, they might need those same people. You never know who you’re gonna end up in life. I grew up listening to Immature (shoutout to them), and now we know them. Russell Simmons, P. Diddy, we know them all now.
Spectacular: It’s a real blessing. You also have to remember to keep your faith first.
That’s pretty deep. What separates you all from other music groups like Boyz II Men, Jackson 5 etc.?
Baby Blue: Well, we have a combination that’s never happened before. I mean, three rappers and a singer has never been done. Plus we’re all brothers, so it’s not one star, it’s four stars. You don’t have just one Bow Wow, you have four. A lot of groups don’t have that. A lot of groups have one person that sticks out.
Pleasure: Then, on top of that, we’re from the streets first. So we don’t act “bougie.” We bring that street to the table, and people will respect you more if you are from the streets. They are loving us right now, so that’s a good luck for us.
You guys are loved everywhere. You are playing on Kansas City’s top three radio stations that teens listen to.
Pleasure: That’s the kind of music we make, feel-good music. Music that everyone can relate to. Our album might as well be called “The Compromise” because it’s music that old and young people can listen to.
Slick’Em: We’re also bringing that slow music back to the club. You got guys like Lil’ Jon who’s always talking about fighting. We are not into that. People don’t dress up real nice to go to the club and hear here that music all the time. We are trying to put Keith Sweat/Jodeci slow jam back to the club.
What’s the next hit on your album “Blue Stars”?
Pretty Ricky (in unison): Probably “Juicy”, or “Your Body.”
Pleasure: Man, but the whole album is so good that we should just put all the songs in a hat and shake it up to pick the next single.
Spectacular: Our motto is that we are not gonna make a song unless it’s a single. No filler on the album. Most groups make an album, put 2 or 3 two or three good songs on an album, and save the rest for the next project. Naw, that’s not us. We are putting all of the good stuff on one album
Kind of like a greatest-hits collection.
Slick’Em: That’s right. We want every song to be a classic. You can just put in the CD and press play.
Have any advice for artist artists trying to come up in the music industry?
Spectacular: Basically just keep grindin’ and stay humble. That’s the key because like we said, the same people you see going up are the same ones you’ll see coming down. … Stay hungry and remember where your you’re from.
Pleasure: Also remember whatever comes easy probably isn’t good for you. Whatever comes quick will go quick.
What’s been the hardest part of being a national celebrity?
Baby Blue: The hardest thing is trying to keep every single fan happy and also realizing who you are.
Pleasure: Yeah, realizing who you are is the hardest thing for me. You forget that. I can’t go anywhere anymore. I go to the mall and get kicked out because I caused a stampede. People get mad at you for it, but it’s hard remembering who you are. You know I just went to the mall to get some shoes, and I heard someone got trampled in the stampede. It’s hard.
I know you guys have to go, but our last question is what did you all think about Kansas City before you came and what do you think of it now?
Pleasure: Well, before I came, I thought it was like the “Wizard of Oz” city with Dorothy and everything, but it’s cool so far. I like the food, and the women really look good, and we should have a great time performing tonight.
Anything else you guys wanna tell your fans before you go perform?
Pleasure: Check us out at www.prettyricky.com . We are going to be one on the Scream 4 Tour with Bow Wow, Marques Houston, B5, Omarion, Bobby Valentino. It’s the tour of the summer
Baby Blue: All of us are SINGLE! Make sure you get that
Spectacular: We also have a new clothing line, Marco De Bleu. It will be at your local department stores. We also have our own reality show on MTV coming up called “Livin’ With the Blue Stars.”
Pleasure: Oh, yeah, we also have a movie coming out, but we don’t know the name yet. And were we’re also going overseas later this year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members: Four brothers. Three of which are rappers: Slick ’Em, Baby Blue and Spectacular, and one singer, Pleasure.
Hometown: Miami
Label: Atlantic Records
Clothing Line: Marco De Bleu
Tour: The Scream 4 Tour with Bow Wow, Marques Houston, B5, Omarion, Bobby Valentino.
In Kansas City Aug. 10.
Origin of name, Pretty Ricky: In an interview with SOHH.com, Pretty Ricky’s Pleasure explained: “All of us would dress alike in school. So when we come around the corner in the hallway, all the girls used to be like, ‘Oh, y’all so cute, y’all so pretty.’ Martin Lawrence had a show out at the time, and there was an episode with Pretty Ricky Fontaine. So Pretty Ricky is what they called us from the show. It just stuck with us from there ever since.”
