NEW YORK (Atlantic Records) - "BLUESTARS," the smash debut album from Blue Star Entertainment International/Atlantic recording group Pretty Ricky, has been certified gold by the RIAA for U.S. sales exceeding half a million units. Released May 24th, the album features the top-charting single, "Grind With Me." Executive Producers of the set are
Craig Kallman and Joseph "Bluestar" Smith.
The certification comes just as the Miami-bred sibling quartet has headed out on the road as part of the eagerly awaited "BET Presents Scream Tour IV Festival: The Heart Throbs 2005." The cross-country trek - which kicked off July 20th in Trenton, NJ, and wraps up September 4th in Miami, FL - sees Pretty Ricky sharing a stage with a number of the biggest names in modern R&B, including Bow Wow, Omarion, Marques Houston, Bobby Valentino, and B5.
"Grind With Me" has hit the No 3 spot at both CHR/Rhythmic and Urban radio, as well as the top 20 at CHR/Pop outlets nationwide. "Your Body," the sultry second single from "BLUESTARS," has already bulleted into the top 20 at CHR/Rhythmic radio, two weeks before its official impact date.
The "Grind With Me" companion video is a Heavy rotation smash at BET, where it has been a top-played clip for nearly four months. Pretty Ricky have performed and/or appeared on a wide range of BET programs, including "106 & Park," "BET Style," "The Center," and the BET Awards pre-show festivities. The video for "Your Body" will make its premiere on BET in the very near future.
"Access Granted: Scream Tour," an exclusive behind-the-scenes concert special featuring Pretty Ricky alongside fellow members of the Scream Tour line-up, premiered on BET July 30th. Slated for upcoming airings is a series of shows featuring the Scream line-up, including "Now," "Hosted Saturday," and "Top 25 Countdown."
"Grind With Me" is also a hit at MTV (where it is currently the No 13 most-played clip), as well as MTV Jams and MTV Hits. Pretty Ricky recently paid visits to a number of MTV programs, including "TRL," "Hits," and "DFX."
In other news, Pretty Ricky sold over one million ringtones through the end of June, with "Grind With Me" ranking as the No 1-selling mastertone for Warner Music Group for the months of May and June. The "Grind With Me" A Capella ringtone was featured in the Cingular Sounds™ program during the month of May.
Pretty Ricky - rappers Slick 'Em, Baby Blue, and Spectacular, and singer Pleasure - exploded onto the Florida music scene in late 2004, when "Grind With Me" became the most requested song in the history of Miami radio station Power 96. Subsequently signed to Atlantic by Co-Chairman/COO Craig Kallman, the group quickly turned into a national sensation.
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 recent smash, "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 spirit alive, Pretty Ricky's "BLUESTARS" is released by Atlantic in association with the group's own Bluestar Entertainment International imprint.
