The Dark Secrets Behind Pretty Ricky – Baby Blue’s Shocking Revelations
If you grew up in the early 2000s, you definitely remember Pretty Ricky—the Miami-based R&B and hip-hop group that delivered some of the most iconic slow jams of the decade. From Grind With Me to On the Hotline, their music became the soundtrack for late-night vibes and teenage romance.
But behind the smooth vocals and steamy lyrics, Pretty Ricky was filled with drama, breakups, financial scandals, and legal troubles. Now, Baby Blue, one of the founding members, has spilled some dark secrets about what really went on behind the scenes.
Let’s take a deep dive into the rise, fall, and wild scandals of Pretty Ricky.
The Birth of Pretty Ricky – A Family Affair
Pretty Ricky was originally made up of two brothers, Diamond “Baby Blue” Smith and Spectacular Smith, along with Marcus “Pleasure P” Cooper and Corey “Slick ‘Em” Mathis.
The group was managed by Joseph Smith Sr., Baby Blue and Spectacular’s father, who worked hard to get them on the map. The name Pretty Ricky actually came from the popular ’90s sitcom Martin—inspired by a smooth-talking character on the show.
Their blend of sexy R&B hooks and explicit rap verses made them stand out from other groups at the time. Their debut album, Bluestars (2005), was a massive success, hitting the Billboard charts and making them household names.
They followed it up with Late Night Special (2007), which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 132,000 copies in its first week.
At their peak, Pretty Ricky dominated radio stations, nightclubs, and high school dances across the country. But soon, cracks began to show behind the scenes.
The Group Falls Apart – Pleasure P’s Shocking Exit
Despite their success, internal conflicts began tearing Pretty Ricky apart. In 2007, Pleasure P abruptly left the group, leaving fans confused.
At the time, he claimed he wanted to pursue a solo career, but rumors of financial disputes and tensions with Baby Blue and Spectacular were already circulating.
Pleasure P later revealed that he left because he wasn’t getting paid properly, stating:
“I just wanted my money. I went to their father, our manager, and said, ‘I want to separate my money.’”
His departure threw Pretty Ricky into chaos. They went through multiple replacement singers, but none of them could replicate the magic of the original lineup.
The Ugly Allegations Against Pleasure P
In 2009, things took a darker turn when Pleasure P was accused of child abuse.
Although court documents were sealed, former Pretty Ricky members Baby Blue and Spectacular confirmed that the allegations were real. The situation caused a major rift between Pleasure P and his ex-bandmates.
Pleasure P, however, denied everything, claiming his own group members were spreading lies to ruin his career.
The controversy damaged his solo career, and though he continued making music, his reputation never fully recovered.
Baby Blue’s Legal Scandal – A $24 Million Fraud Case
Fast forward to 2020, and Baby Blue found himself in serious legal trouble after being charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
He was accused of filing fraudulent PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, scamming the government out of millions of dollars.
According to court records, Baby Blue obtained $426,000 for one fake company and another $700,000 for a second business. Instead of using the funds for payroll and business expenses, he allegedly spent the money on luxury items, including:
A $96,000 Ferrari
Designer clothes and jewelry
Lavish vacations
When the feds caught on, Baby Blue was arrested and sentenced to 20 months in federal prison in February 2022.
He later claimed that he had been set up, saying:
“I didn’t even know what a PPP loan was. Someone told me they would handle everything, and I got caught up in the mess.”
Fortunately for him, he was released early under the First Step Act, but the damage to his reputation was already done.
Slick ‘Em’s Outrageous Antics & Struggles
While Baby Blue was dealing with legal issues, Slick ‘Em was making headlines for his wild behavior.
Over the years, he has struggled with substance abuse, and at one point, he even stripped naked on stage during a performance.
Fans have long speculated that his erratic actions have hurt the group’s ability to fully reunite.
Spectacular’s Business Empire – The Only One Who Made It?
While the rest of Pretty Ricky has faced legal problems and career struggles, Spectacular Smith has quietly become a multi-millionaire entrepreneur.
After leaving the music scene, Spectacular launched Adwizar, a digital marketing company that has worked with celebrities, influencers, and major brands.
His net worth is estimated at $65 million, making him the most financially successful member of Pretty Ricky.
Unlike his former bandmates, Spectacular stayed away from major controversies, instead focusing on building his brand and growing his businesses.
Will Pretty Ricky Ever Reunite?
Despite all the drama, arrests, and financial disputes, Pretty Ricky keeps trying to make a comeback.
In 2015, they reunited for a tour in Australia, and in 2019, they joined the Millennium Tour alongside B2K, Mario, and Lloyd.
Recently, Baby Blue announced that Pretty Ricky was planning another U.S. tour, hitting major cities like Las Vegas, Nashville, and Chicago.
But will fans embrace them again? Or is their golden era officially over?
Final Thoughts – Can They Make a Comeback?
Pretty Ricky had their moment, and when they were hot, they were unstoppable. But with:
Pleasure P’s past allegations
Baby Blue’s fraud conviction
Slick ‘Em’s erratic behavior
It’s hard to say whether they can fully reclaim their spot in the industry.
However, with fans still craving that 2000s nostalgia, their upcoming tour might just be their last shot at redemption.
What do you think? Should Pretty Ricky reunite for good, or has their time passed? Let us know in the comments!