Even their name is unique. But that’s not the only thing that sets Pretty Ricky apart from the rest of the pack. From their configuration – one singer and three rappers – to their image – handsome, young and sexy – Pretty Ricky has been in a league all its own since they first hit the scene in 2005 with “Grind With Me,” the smash single from their platinum debut CD, “Bluestars.” Says member and resident producer Diamond Blue Smith, “In a time where record labels are generically making bands on reality shows, Pretty Ricky is the last of a dying breed.” With a sound that is one part hip hop, one part R&B, Pretty Ricky practically invented and single-handedly mastered the art of combining melodies, harmonies and dope raps. They took their signature sound and injected it into a predominantly hip-hop marketplace during a time when crunk music ruled the airwaves. The result was the birth of an exciting twist on both genres that would be imitated – but never duplicated – by their successors. Adoration for Pretty Ricky caught on early. Their debut CD spawned two of their three top ten hits and set the stage for their sophomore CD “Late Night Special,” which topped the charts and owned the number one spot for five consecutive weeks. Pretty Ricky mania erupted as reports of fanatical fans fainting at concerts and standing in interminable lines at record stores ran rampant. Atlantic Records COO Craig Kallman likened it to Beatle-mania. As a group, Pretty Ricky is known for their sexy, sensual (borderline raunchy) music and stage shows. But there’s much more to these Miami natives, known individually as Diamond, Spectacular, Lingerie and Slick’em, than meets the eye. It’s safe to say these guys really do mean business. Julie Greenwald, president of Atlantic Records, once proclaimed, "Diamond Blue is the new Puffy in the making." (Diddy himself referred to the band as “the new Jodeci.”) These music impresarios know that Pretty Ricky have all the traits that superstars are made of: business sense, vocal innovation, showmanship and, of course, dynamic personalities. Says Diamond, “The various personalities of each individual member is what gives the band diversity. Spectacular brings the sex-appeal, Slickadelaphante brings out the wild and crazy side of the band, Lingerie provides the charismatic, R&B, sultry side and I’m the business man.” Just as they have carved their own niche and played by their own rules musically, Pretty Ricky has also been adamant about controlling the course of their career. In one of the most talked about business moves of their career, the group, after two albums with Atlantic Records, parted ways with the company, opting instead to release their third album, “Pretty Ricky,” solely through their own Bluestar Entertainment. Says Diamond, “Staying independent in the record industry's declining market is the best and most economical move. The only thing a record label can do for an artist of today is make the artist a star…. We already international stars so by staying independent, there's more back-end incentive from album sales. The first single from “Pretty Ricky,” “Tipsy In Dis Club,” was released to overwhelming response at radio and over the Internet. It set the stage for what Diamond calls a “phenomenal” album. “The sound and essence of the album is very similar to the sound of our first album,” he says. “Over the years, we have worked to perfect our craft and you can hear it all over this new album. The harmonies are tighter, the leads are more melodic, the songs are dynamically sequenced, the 808's have more drop, and the raps have more depth.” Stating that the songs on “Pretty Ricky” are “too sensual to describe in words,” Diamond refrains from giving too many details about the album’s lineup of hits, saying only “You have to hear it to fully interpret the records.” As Pretty Ricky continue to expand their reach and grow their brand, they remain ever vigilant about their responsibilities to their fans and their community. Says Diamond, “Pretty Ricky has always been influential throughout the urban communities, giving back as much as possible. We’ve done everything from Christmas toy drives to Thanksgiving turkey drives to winter jacket giveaways.” The group also advocates women empowerment and can often be found at schools, Boys & Girls clubs, and YMCAs delivering messages of unity and prosperity. Pretty Ricky's most recent campaign is called, "Pretty Ricky Says," a rendition of Simon Says that encourages youth to make healthy and positive lifestyle choices.