Pretty Ricky

1997-2003: Beginnings

In 1997, while performing together in Miami, Pretty Ricky was signed to Bluestar Entertainment by CEO Joseph "Blue" Smith. Supported by their father, Joseph Smith Sr., who also served as the band's manager and who is of Jamaican descent, the group developed their music under the name of "Pretty Rickie and The Maverix" before changing it to "Pretty Ricky", with the group being named after a character played by Miguel A. Nunez Jr. on the TV show Martin. With the help from producer Jim Jonsin of the Unusual Suspects production team, Pretty Ricky began to gain desirable attention through their local performances. However, it was not until 2002 that the group encountered their initial success as their song "Flossin'" became a huge hit on Miami radio station Power 96.

2004-2005: Bluestars

In 2004, Pretty Ricky released their first official single, "Grind With Me". It reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The single made its way to popularity on WPOW-Power 96, and station program director Ira Wolf (Tony the Tiger) sent the single to Craig Kallman of Atlantic Records. After auditioning with Kallman, Pretty Ricky was offered a record deal on the spot.

On May 17, 2005, Pretty Ricky released their debut album titled Bluestars. It debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 56,000 copies in the first week, and within several months, was certified Gold by RIAA. On June 15, 2005, Pretty Ricky released their second single from the album, "Your Body", which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #12. In the summer of 2005 the group toured with Omarion, Bow Wow, Marques Houston, Bobby V, and other acts in the Scream Tour IV concert series.

2006-2011: Late Night Special, Pleasure P's departure and disbandment

On November 9, 2006, Pretty Ricky released the first single off their second album, Late Night Special, titled "On the Hotline". It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 97 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. In January 2007, Late Night Special topped the Billboard 200 album charts with over 132,000 copies sold in the first week. The second single from the album, "Push It Baby", featured Sean Paul but failed to crack the Hot 100, reaching only No. 109. Pleasure P later left the group after, and was replaced by Carl "Mowet" Lovett and soon after Christopher "4Play" Myers in 2007.

In 2008, Pretty Ricky began work on a new album, Eighties Babies, with an intended release date of October 14, 2008, but the album was shelved due to leaking and creative differences. 4Play quit the group in 2009 and was replaced by Emanuel "Lingerie" DeAnda. Pretty Ricky then split from Atlantic and signed with independent Atlanta label Big Cat Records, who released their official third album, Pretty Ricky, in November 2009. It charted for only one week on the Billboard 200, at #97.

In 2010, Pretty Ricky released the singles "Personal Freak" and "Cookie Cutter", neither of which charted. On August 10, 2010, they released an extended play titled Topless. In December 2010, the group announced their fourth album, Bluestars 2, was in the works, but the album was never produced. On August 12, 2011, Pretty Ricky released a mixtape titled Sex Music Vol. 1: Streets N The Sheets.

2015-present: Reformation, Love & Hip Hop Miami, and continuation as a trio

After a three-year hiatus, Pretty Ricky released the non-charting single "Puddles" on February 16, 2015. Returning members included Pleasure P, Spectacular, Baby Blue, and Slick'em.

In 2018, Pleasure P, Spectacular, and Baby Blue started appearing on VH1's reality series Love & Hip Hop Miami, and remained until the show's second season. In 2019, Pretty Ricky joined The Millennium Tour along with B2K, Mario, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, Lloyd, and Bobby Valentino. On February 21, 2020, Pretty Ricky returned with a new single titled "Body", which is set to appear on the group's reunion album.

In 2022, Baby Blue pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to file at least 79 fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $24 million in forgivable PPP loans. Baby Blue used the loan proceeds to make "luxury purchases", including a Ferrari for $96,000.

In May 2025, Spectacular announced the group would continue as a trio without Slick'em's involvement due to his refusal to seek help at a rehabilitation treatment center for his addiction issues.

Studio albums

Unreleased albums

EPs

Mixtapes

Singles