| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that these lush, soulful songs are filled with very explicit sexual references (one example: "I'm right between your thighs and / exotic positions got your orgasms multiplying.") as well as a few instances of the "N" word. The edited version sounds ridiculous.
On their second album, LATE NIGHT SPECIAL, the four pretty boys in Pretty Ricky keep both their party and certain parts of the anatomy growing with terrific harmonies, inventive vocal and instrumental arrangements, and a single-minded obsession with sex. There's no innuendo or subtlety involved. You'll have to go far to find more graphic descriptions of the various permutations of getting it on, but you'll also have to go far to find better performances. For example, the gorgeous love song on the last track, "Make It Like It Was," is a clean and lovely ballad about remembering the beginning of a love affair.
Most parents will not be able to get past lyrics like "He can't stroke it like this / he can't stroke it like that / soon as you walk through the door / I'll put her panties to the floor…poppin' that nookie / I'll be your groupie…just take them clothes off, girl I'm bound to break you off…I never go soft / never go raw." Yet, with a perfect ear for vocal harmony and classic sense of soul arrangements, the group manages to offer some inventive touches that redefine R&B while also paying loving tribute to the genre.
Families can talk about the interesting juxtaposition of really raunchy lyrics over classic-sounding soul and R&B arrangements. Does it sound strange to hear these words sung in gorgeous church-choir falsetto over exquisite backup harmonies? Why?
| Artist: | Pretty Ricky |
| Release date: | January 23, 2007 |
| Label: | Atlantic |
| Genre: | R&B |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
| Edited version available: | Yes |