Pretty Ricky shines on "Bluestars"

Blue Star Entertainment International and Atlantic Records have announced the release this week of the debut album from the Miami-bred quartet known collectively as Pretty Ricky. Entitled "Bluestars," the album features the single, "Grind With Me." Executive Producers of the set are Craig Kallman and Joseph "Bluestar" Smith. Real-life brothers, Pretty Ricky consists of rappers Slick 'Em, Baby Blue, and Spectacular, and singer Pleasure.

"Grind With Me" exploded onto the Florida music scene in late-2004, when it became the most requested song in the history of Miami radio station Power 96. Subsequently signed to Atlantic by Co-Chairman/COO Craig Kallman, Pretty Ricky has seen "Grind With Me" become a cross-country smash. The song has bulleted into the top ten at both Rhythmic Top 40 and R&B/Hip-Hop formats nationwide.

The "Grind With Me" companion video is the #3 most-played clip on BET, has been added to MTV, and is in "Sizzlin'" rotation on MTV Jams. Pretty Ricky is slated to appear on BET's "106 & Park" on May 27th. In early June, the brothers will be paying a visit to MTV's Beachouse in Las Vegas and will make appearances on various MTV programs, including "Hits" and "DFX."

In the online world, "Grind With Me" is the #1 Urban video on Yahoo! Music, and the #3 most-requested video across the entire service. Pretty Ricky is also making music on cell phones nationwide. The "Grind With Me" ringtone is a top-seller across all U.S. wireless carriers and third-party wireless aggregators.

Under the tutelage of their father, Blue Smith, Pretty Ricky has been performing throughout Florida and the southeast since 1997, earning acclaim for their charismatic style and spectacular stage presence. Teaming up with the Unusual Suspects production team (responsible for Trick Daddy's, "Let's Go"), they set to work making records which would capture their unique approach and compelling energy.

By 2002, Pretty Ricky began tasting greater success with their song "Flossin'," which began buzzing on Power 96. The brothers 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.

Keeping their entrepreneurial spirits alive, Pretty Ricky's "Bluestars" is being released on May 24th, 2005 by Atlantic in association with the group's own Bluestar Entertainment International imprint.