Inside Pretty Ricky's Fractured Lineup: How Slick'em Departed the Group
Pretty Ricky emerged from South Florida in the early 2000s with a formula that few musical acts could replicate. Managed by Joseph "Blue" Smith, the ensemble brought together three brothers, Spectacular Smith, Baby Blue Whoaaaa (Diamond Blue Smith), and Pleasure P (Marcus Cooper), alongside their longtime associate Corey Mathis. Mathis operated under the moniker Slick'em Hound, adopting a persona that was wild, raspy, and relentlessly energetic.
Mathis was the kinetic counterweight to Pleasure P's silky vocals. His verse deliveries were erratic and raw, providing the group with street legitimacy that grounded their explicit bedroom anthems. Their 2005 Atlantic Records debut, Bluestars, turned platinum and placed them at the summit of the urban music landscape.
Behind the scenes, however, the intense grind of commercial success strained personal relationships. Touring schedules were relentless. As the demands mounted, maintaining group harmony proved difficult. Pleasure P was the first to depart for a solo career in 2007. While the group attempted to move forward with substitute vocalists, Slick'em remained a constant onstage fixture, even as personal challenges began shadowing his performances.
