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Pretty Ricky
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Watch Pretty Ricky rock the house in this exclusive in-studio set... only on Soundcheck!
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Walmart’s original performance series where you get up close and personal with your favorite artists. Check out live performances and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from original in-studio sets – all filmed exclusively in HD. Soundcheck is broadcast in Walmart stores nationwide – or catch us online 24/7.
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We have a top-notch music label relations team that helps us book acts. They are constantly on the phone with music labels around the country trying to get the best bands on Soundcheck.
Soundcheck is an original performance series created by the Wal-Mart Music team, giving you the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an in-studio look at some of your favorite artists. Soundcheck plays right here on Walmart.com, or, for the full high definition experience, visit any Walmart store and head to the Electronics department to watch it on the Walmart TV Network.
We'll be adding new performances on a regular basis throughout the year, so please check back regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck for more information.
We'll have artists from all genres; some old, some new, some huge, some more emerging - but all will be presented in the same intimate studio environment. So be on the lookout!
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PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
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About The Artist
The Set List
When a hip-hop group makes their entrance in matching gold-sequined outfits, you know you're in for one star-studded performance. And that's exactly what happened when the Soundcheck Crew caught up with R&B / rap super group, Pretty Ricky, at Center Staging studios in Burbank, CA.
Performing tracks from their eagerly anticipated sophomore album, Late Night Special, we witnessed an energetic act about to break it big. Rocking slick suits and stunning, original choreography, Soundcheck sat in on a spectacular performance from an infectious band that isn't afraid to rock the boat.
A Band of Brothers
Equal parts R&B and rap, Pretty Ricky draw their inspiration and art from pop music's finest. These Southern siblings recall the great Motown groups of the '60s: Diamond Blue "Baby Blue" Smith brings to mind a young Michael Jackson, and the rest of the band reminds us of that era's famous ensemble acts: The Jackson 5, The Four Tops, The Temptations, etc. What separates Pretty Ricky, however, is a fierce determination to carve their own niche in music. (The guys pen their own tunes and style their own look.)
We asked them about their special recording process: "We wrote everything on the album and produced everything. We gave y'all that Pretty Ricky vibe!" said Baby Blue. "We go into the studio and set the tone. We bring the incense, light the candles, fog the whole studio up and dim the lights down! I'm tellin' you, the whole album from front to back is fine."
Pretty Ricky 'On the Hotline'
The buzz on the street is that Late Night Special is about to launch Pretty Ricky into a whole new stratosphere. With all the pressures of fame and fortune looming, how do they feel about the transition from strip-mall shows to global superstardom? Says Marcus "Pleasure" Cooper: "We just like to have a good time, be ourselves. We're real humble... and a lot of people in the industry forget about that. When they get to a certain level, they get what we call "big-headed." We are just ordinary men."
The Closing
"I'm a walking disco ball!" Pleasure announces to our Crew, referring to Pretty Ricky's glittering costumes and infectious moves. Today, we were charmed by this southern band's effortless charisma and energetic talent. In fact, watching this performance you'll discover that it's pretty impossible to watch a Pretty Ricky performance without moving your feet. Enjoy the show!
-The Crew at Wal-Mart Soundcheck
- Pretty Ricky proudly hail from Miami, FL, and are all brothers. They are: Corey "Slick 'Em" Mathis, Diamond Blue "Baby Blue" Smith, Spectacular Blue Smith and Marcus "Pleasure" Cooper.
- Pretty Ricky isn't their first brush with stardom. Slick 'Em, Spectacular and Baby Blue were once in a band called The Maverix - along with another brother, Pretty Rickie Rickie - back in 1997. The band achieved relative success locally, but failed to ignite outside of Florida.
- Like the Jackson 5, Pretty Ricky were once managed by their father, Joseph "Bluestar" Smith.
- Pretty Ricky don't just want to influence fashion - they make it! The trendsetting brothers even have their own clothing line, Marco de Bleu.
- According to the band, the name Pretty Ricky originated from one of their favorite television shows, Martin.
From their first album, Bluestars, 'Your Body' laments a missing loved one - on the road. Pretty Ricky have said in past interviews that many of their tunes are written specifically for the ladies, and this song is no exception. "Rollin' down 95," the guys sing sweetly. "And you can see it in my eyes... that I'm looking for a cutie pie..."
Late Night Special / Grind With Me
Pretty Ricky starts off the first medley of the set with the title track to the new album, 'Late Night Special' - a melodic number that's destined to become a big hit. The boys then bust out some slick dance moves as they segue way into 'Grind With Me,' a top 10 single from Bluestar that showcases the playful side of the band.
On The Hotline
You've heard this song everywhere, but not like this. The first single from Late Night Special, 'On The Hotline' is a reference to late-night romance and echoes chords reminiscent of late '80s super group, Salt-N-Pepa.
Nothing But A Number / Shorty Be Mine
Though they've only recorded two albums, Pretty Ricky have enough material to satisfy their fans plenty. And for their final number, the guys turn it up a notch with their spot-on medley of earlier hits, 'Nothing But A Number' and 'Shorty Be Mine.' It's a fitting repertoire to a group who, musically, have only just begun.
