Miami, USA-based rap/R&B quartet formed in 1997 by Spectacular (b. Blue Smith, 7 September 1986, USA), Baby Blue (b. Diamond Blue Smith, 13 August 1984, USA), Slick ’Em (b. Corey Lamar Mathis, 3 June 1985, USA) and Pleasure (b. Marcus Ramone Cooper, 27 December 1984, USA). The quartet all have the same father Joe ‘Blue’ Smith, an entrepreneur who launched their career as pre-teen dancers for an older brother, originally going out under the name Prettie Rickie And The Maverix. After their brother departed the scene the quartet began performing in their own right. They hooked up with producer Jim Jonsin to begin recording, forging a salacious rap/R&B mix to match their over-the-top stage style and fashion. Spectacular, Baby Blue and Slick ’Em provide the rapping with Pleasure acting as the sole vocalist. Released in 2002, the single ‘Flossin’’ made a significant impact on Miami radio and helped the crew’s local reputation to snowball. Late in 2004, ‘Grind With Me’ (originally titled ‘Grind On Me’) became another huge local hit and this time around Pretty Ricky came to the attention of the major labels. The quartet signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records and completed work on their debut album. By this point ‘Grind With Me’ was making steady progress up the national charts, eventually reaching the US Top 10 in June 2005. The attendant Bluestars also enjoyed commercial success.
