Pleasure P
Photo: Atlantic

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper — and we're not talking about Mark Curry. The new Mr. Cooper is the man who's known by his fans as Pleasure P, formerly of Pretty Ricky. The same cat who, last weekend in Miami, had friends like Chris Brown, Omarion, Bow Wow, the Kardashians, actress Kyla Pratt and Yung Joc come out to his album-release party. It's dope to get love in your hometown.

" 'Boyfriend #2,' it was a #1 urban record," Pleasure said about the single from his solo debut, The Introduction of Marcus Cooper. P already hit a milestone that escaped him as the lead singer of flamboyant R&B group Pretty Ricky.

"This is my first #1 record," he said. "I didn't even get a #1 record when I was in the group. It means a lot. When I say we put blood, sweat and tears into this project and into my whole career, I literally mean blood, sweat and tears. I'm happy I'm free to do things I wanna do now. It's been a tough road for me. A real tough road."

When P left Pretty Ricky, things initially got ugly: Lawsuits and insults flew around, but things have since simmered down.

"The relationship all of us had, the industry kinda changed who we are," he explained. "It's changed us, period. Certain people started acting different. Even me, I probably started acting different, who knows? We was all like brothers and we had a good relationship. We was closer than anything, things happen. I don't wanna talk too much about Pretty Ricky, that's in the past. I just wanna leave it in the past."

Recording his album was one big party, he said.

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"It was like relieving a lot of stress," he explained of his recording process. "Doing what I wanted to do. Doing me. Every session was a celebration. Every session we popped a bottle of Rose champagne. Me, [producers/collaborators] Rico Love, Static Major, Adonis, Tank, Jim Jonson, Cool & Dre. Everybody I worked with, we always had fun in the studio. Like how you see in the 'Notorious' movie, where the girls are in the studio while they were recording, it was something like that. It was a party every day. We got good work done, doing the whole album like that. Taking the approach to do what you want to do. No stress or tension. All me, all my family, all my friends.

Pleasure started working on his album about 18 months ago, and has so much material left over that he's ready to start on his next LP, which will be dedicated to Static, who died in 2008. This album, he wants people to get the familiar with him as a person. He's hoping to eventually drop the Pleasure P moniker and go with his real name.

"Marcus Cooper is my government name," he said about his inspiration for the album. "Y'all gonna learn I'm serious. I'm not a joke. I'm the new bad boy for R&B. I've been through things. Y'all can take [Marcus] serious. He's not crazy like everybody think he is, being that I was in the group and we did a lot of things that was out the box. I'm normal, like everybody else. I'm very humble. The main thing, Pretty Ricky introduced the world to Pleasure P and Pleasure P is introducing the world to Marcus Cooper, the man that's the father of a 5-year-old son."

Marcus Cooper is also a love guru — just listen to the jewels he drops in his single.

"I'm not encouraging people to cheat on this record," he clarifies. "What I'm saying is I'm sending a message, step up your game. You see in the video, the average guy gets the girl because the guy with the money wasn't treating her right. Don't stop giving her flowers and saying, 'Baby, how was your day?,' and telling her how you feel. [If you don't], another man will."

• It's Miami Week!

• Pretty Ricky
• Pleasure P

Peer Pressure with one of their autographed ottomans at the Air Sex Championships in Atlanta, GA
Photo: airsexworldchampionships.com

We're not sure if it's due to the recession, the swine flu or the spring air, but there's a whole lot of humping going on these days. We're talking off-the-charts ... enough to make R. Kelly blush.

First, Pretty Ricky lothario Spectacular set YouTube ablaze with a single pair of red bikini briefs and some serious pelvis popping.

Then, he raised the temperature again with another video, this one showcasing his furniture-humping prowess (we still feel bad for that folding chair).

Now, as if to show the world that Pretty Ricky members don't corner the market in this new art form, there's the second annual Air Sex World Championships. That's right. What originally began as a semi-monthly competition in Austin, Texas, has become a 16-city tour designed to seek out the greatest Air Sexer in the world.

Competitors choose a clip of music, show up in whatever costume they've designed, and get to the grinding. They have judges and rules (including no nudity and no actual orgasms) and everything. This is all very real. The tour kicked off June 6 with a hometown hump-off in Austin. On Tuesday it hit Atlanta, and in a move that will forever live in the annals of competitive Air Sex, they invited Peer Pressure to kick off the competition.

For those not in the know, Peer Pressure are one of the two biggest names in air humping. In 2007, they became Internet sensations thanks to a salacious series of YouTube clips in which they pummeled defenseless furniture with their pelvises, often to the strains of Pretty Ricky's "Late Night Special." They became embroiled in a feud with another group of furniture romancers, the Fantasy Boiz, and shortly thereafter, they basically disappeared from the face of the Earth.

But Tuesday night they were back ... or at least two members of the group were. They drove in from their home town of Montgomery, Alabama, to open the evening's festivities with a dual ottoman hump (said ottoman was then autographed and given away in a raffle). Then they served as judges for the Air Sex competition, after which they disappeared into the night, perhaps to hit up a late-night furniture emporium or something.

The Air Sex World Championships will hit New York City on Friday (June 12). No word on whether Peer Pressure will be along to hump something there, too, but we seriously doubt it. As founder Tim League points out, the Championships aren't really about celebrity, they're about something much greater.

"Air Sex is sort of like Air Guitar," League said. "Except instead of pretending to play an invisible guitar on stage, contestants get up there and pretend to have sex with someone who isn't there."

Very true. Is it getting hot in here, or what?

• Pretty Ricky

Spectacular of Pretty Ricky
Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images

At this point, Spectacular's red undies have to be the most iconic undergarments of 2009. We're talking, of course, about the cherry-red bikini briefs Pretty Ricky member Spectacular is wearing in his now infamous YouTube challenge to fellow pelvis-poppers Chris Brown and Omarion. You know, the one where he pirouettes, gives himself a full-body rubdown and then humps what appears to be a shower cap (or a belt)? The one that Spec claims was expressly made "for the ladies," even though it was also intended to be watched by male R&B crooners?

Yeah, that one.

Anyway, back to those skimpy skivvies he's wearing in the video — seems they've become quite the cultural touchstone, inspiring a spate of online parodies over the past few days.

Take, for example, the animated spoof created by the folks by Be Your Own Boss Entertainment. Currently burning up YouTube, the clip portrays the crooner as a rasping, highly flexible go-go dancer who smacks hamburger patties across his backside, air-humps furiously and displays a rather amazing level of flexibility, all while animated versions of Brown, Omarion and a host of Spec's contemporaries look on in horror.

At the end of the video, Spectacular — wearing those red undies, of course — is seen on BET's "106 & Park," where after he's asked about the YouTube clip (and why, if it was for the ladies, he wanted other male R&B stars to watch it), he responds curtly, "I ain't gay."

More cunning — and definitely cutting — was It'sTheReal's (which is basically like the hip-hop "SNL") take on the Spectacular video. In a clip they called "That's Spectacular!", they broke down Spec's every pelvic thrust and lip-licking, cracking jokes like, "If Ciara is more masculine than you: That's Spectacular!" and "If your tongue moves more than your career: That's Spectacular!"

So just what does Spectacular himself have to say about all this? We haven't heard yet ... but for all we know, he could be readying another furniture-assaulting response video to his haters, like he the one he posted earlier this week. We can only hope ...

• Pretty Ricky
• Omarion
• Chris Brown

Pretty Ricky's Spectacular
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

Spectacular has a problem. It seems a large portion of the population — you know, the portion that's male — watched his utterly amazing, pirouette-and-banana-hammock-fueled YouTube clip, the one he dubbed "a grinding challenge" to R&B pelvis-thrusters like Chris Brown and Day26. The Pretty Ricky member took issue with this, because the video was strictly for the ladies.

The libidinous, lip-licking lothario already made this point during an interview last week with Chicago radio personality Kendra G, saying, "Everybody knows I'm not gay. ... The underwear was for the ladies." But he apparently felt the need to explain it once again with another YouTube clip. And lots of furniture humping.

"I got a situation to address. For everybody that watched that video — and it wasn't really for you to watch — I clearly said, 'Strictly for the ladies,' " Spectacular tells the camera. "Now, I'mma say it again to get it clear: 'Strictly for the ladies.' If you don't watch it, you won't have no comment."

He then gets down to business, popping his pecs, rippling his abs and positively pummeling a helpless folding chair with his pelvis. Over and over again. From many different angles. Seriously, it never stops. And then he does a back-flip. Oh, and he's wearing black boxers this time.

We applaud Spec for giving a knowing nod to the ottoman-ravaging craze of 2007 (which was, in its own right, a knowing nod to Pretty Ricky themselves), but we're not exactly sure how this is supposed to clear up the whole "strictly for the ladies" controversy. And we're not even going to begin to attempt to comprehend the flawed logic of the entire thing. (If Spec's first video was, in fact, a grinding challenge to the male R&B stars of the world, how were they supposed to respond to it if they weren't allowed to in the first place?) But really ... does any of that matter? It's a dude humping a folding chair. We cannot wait for his next retort.

• Pretty Ricky

Pretty Ricky's Spectacular
Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

Pretty Ricky member Spectacular set off a frenzy online earlier this week when the singer posted a video online of himself gyrating suggestively wearing nothing but skimpy red briefs. The video served as his challenge (albeit an odd one) to other young R&B acts, including Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Omarion and Day26.

"To all them boys out there that be grindin', I wanna know who's number one," Spectacular said to the camera, before Pretty Ricky's new single "Tipsy" played in the background. Spectacular then began dancing.

Online commenters mocked the clip and questioned whether the R&B singer were gay. Spectacular addressed the response when he called Chicago radio personality Kendra G.

"Everybody knows I'm not gay," Spectacular said, adding that the video and the briefs were for the ladies. "Them little tight man drawers ... I bought 'em to show off my cuts [in my stomach]. I wanted to show off my body. The underwear was for the ladies."

The Pretty Ricky member said the video is titled "Strip With Spectacular," and it's just the first in a series of clips he plans to put online. He also said the challenge was all in fun.

"Everybody grindin' now," Spectacular said of the suggestive dance style. "Before we came out, no one was bringing you that but the old-school cats. We brought it back out. But everybody is doing it now. It's like a dance competition, though. I don't do that pop-and-lock, I grind."

• Pretty Ricky

Pretty Ricky's Slick'Em, Diamond Blue and Spectacular
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

There are many benefits to spending 13 hours a week on an airplane. I just can't think of any of them at the moment.

This is probably because I am on an airplane right now, winging my way from New York to Los Angeles once again, for another episode of "FNMTV," Pete Wentz's Friday night video show that I am rather inexplicably a part of. For the next, oh, 10 weeks, that means I will effectively be bicoastal, an official jet-setter and the kind of guy who gets to lounge about in Admiral's Clubs all day long.

That all sounds very glamorous, but I assure you it's not. Because it also means that I always feel tired, jet-lagged and half-drunk (without the whole "getting drunk" part, unfortunately); that I have neglected my duties as general manager of three fantasy-baseball teams; and — perhaps most troubling — that I don't have the slightest idea what is happening anywhere in the world. At all.

I missed the whole "terrorist fist jab" thing, I had no idea Tim Russert had died, and I completely spaced on both the Celtics' Game 4 comeback and Tiger's heroics at Torrey Pines. I am basically like a 5-year-old at this point, blissfully unaware of anything, constantly amazed by everything. You could probably distract me just by jangling a set of keys in front of my face. In fact, if you see me, please don't attempt to do this.

Of course, being a confused, punch-drunk toddler isn't all bad. Come to think of it, it's pretty much the only good thing about spending so much time on airplanes. For one, I can safely say that my appreciation for Pretty Ricky is currently at an all-time high.

Confused? Let me give you a bit of backstory. Late last month, just as all my "FNMTV" hysteria was ramping up, Pretty Ricky — the hyper-libidinous, barely literate R&B quartet perhaps best known for wearing matching "Phantom of the Opera" costumes and inspiring a series of YouTube tribute clips in which shirtless young men summarily ravage furniture — unleashed the epic (and episodic) "21 Days Of 4Play" series, a collection of clips designed to hype both their upcoming album, 80's Babies, and their newest member, a bulgy, preening lover-man who goes by the name of 4Play (you can probably also guess what his primary interest is). As is the case with everything PR do, the videos are low-budget, nonsensical and, of course, obsessed with all things coital. They are full of dramatic soliloquies, shirtless games of craps and grammar lessons given from the back of an SUV. There are impromptu performances filmed on back porches with insane jungle motifs, rambling odes to females delivered from what appears to be King Tut's tomb (or a rec room), and speeches about naked recording techniques given by a gentleman wearing only a wife-beater and jockey shorts (and a 20-pound dookie chain, of course).

The series is, if you haven't gathered, perhaps the most amazingly overwrought bit of lo-fi celluloid to hit the small screen since R. Kelly's legendary "Trapped in the Closet" was foisted upon the unsuspecting masses. It is that good. Probably even better.

Of course, since I was traveling so much, the series came and went without me even noticing, and it wasn't until last week, when my alarmingly brilliant co-worker — and fellow Ricky obsessive — Jim Cantiello sent me a hyperbolic e-mail about it (sample line: "Holy crap. I just can't even contain myself. You must watch them. All of them") that I actually got around to watching all 21 Days. And suffice to say, my reality hasn't been the same since.

Perhaps it's because I am jet-lagged, exhausted and relatively brain-dead, or maybe it was just the result of having nothing else to do, but I have spent basically every waking minute living Pretty Ricky. In airport terminals, hotel rooms and taxi cabs, I have watched and rewatched the series, taking breaks only to eat, sleep and fire off agitated e-mails to my wife about Pretty Ricky (she does not, shall we say, share my excitement). I know every scene, line and location by heart. I have become obsessed with the lives, sartorial choices and idiosyncrasies of the group members, so much so that I find myself wondering why Slick'Em spends most of Episode 13 running a lint-roller over his pectorals, or counting the number of times Spectacular licks his lips, or even marveling at Diamond Blue's commitment to the whole 80's Babies concept, which is so deep that he's taken to dressing like all three members of Bel Biv DeVoe simultaneously and delivering lines like, "I like girls with one toe, five toes, 10 toes" with a straight face (Blue is 100 percent the MVP of the entire "21 Days" series). To be honest, I don't care that much about 4Play, but I'm even willing to give him the benefit of repeated viewings.

And, like I said, the reason for this is probably because of my current situation and mental state (Pretty Ricky are the jangliest of keys, it would seem), but I am OK with this. In fact, I'm glad I'm this way. There is some sort of joyous ridiculousness to the entire series, something I'm sure I'd miss (or at least try to overthink) under so-called "normal" circumstances.

Because as a music journalist, I know I would let my head get in the way of all this. Perhaps I would feel guilty for liking it so much, because, you know, it's the lowest form of art, and maybe Pretty Ricky aren't smart enough to realize the joke's on them (I did the exactly this with Kelly's "Trapped" series, penning a hand-wringing "open letter" to him in an edition of Bigger Than the Sound that ran last year). Or maybe I'd spend hours trying to contextualize the entire series, to attach some sort of higher meaning to it all rather than just enjoy it.

And I'm glad I'm not doing that here. "21 Days of 4Play" is amazing simply because it's amazing. And the same goes for Pretty Ricky. There are probably deeper reasons why I love them both so much, but who needs that? Why use statements like "post-ironic" or "unintentionally hilarious" when simplicity will do? I happen to think super-horny dudes delivering salacious come-ons while wearing Versace silks (or relaxing in an Egyptian-themed room) are hilarious. I am OK with this.

Because, trust me: It's best not to think about it. Just sit back, turn you brain off, and get ready for joy.

You don't have to be a 5-year-old to figure it out. Or maybe you do.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Hit me up at BTTS@MTVStaff.com.

• Pretty Ricky

Pretty Ricky's Diamond Blue in Day 3 of "21 Days of 4Play"
Photo: Atlantic/ Wea/ Youtube

We're still a week away from the official first day of summer, but in case you haven't noticed, things are already getting unseasonably, well, steamy. And while that could be due to any number of things (like, say, global warming), we're willing to chalk up all that heat to gratuitous amounts of Pretty Ricky.

That's because America's foremost purveyors of over-sexxxed R&B — and the group that launched a thousand couch-humping YouTube clips — are back once again, with a new album (80's Babies), a new member (he's called 4Play) and a rather ingenious way of promoting both.

Late last month, the guys in PR launched "21 Days of 4Play," a series of videos on their MySpace page designed to hype the release of Babies (due August 26) and introduce the world to 4Play. The beefy crooner was hired to replace Marcus "Pleasure" Cooper, who split from the group under decidedly acrimonious terms last year. But as is generally the case with pretty much anything involving the libidinous quartet, the videos ended being so, so, so much more. (Check out five things we learned from the videos, in the Newsroom blog.)

Basically, they're the most amazing things ever. And as such, we felt we'd be doing you a disservice if we didn't provide day-by-day highlights of the series. What follows is an up-close-and-personal look at the gentlemen of Pretty Ricky — but not the kind that would make you have to go to a clinic afterward. Sorry, ladies.

» Day 1: We meet Pretty Ricky down in "sunny Miami" (though, from the look of things, it's actually more like "windy and overcast Miami"), where they're doing promotional shoots for Babies and talking about both foreplay and 4Play (it works on both levels!). The latter is introduced via a shot of his glistening abdominal muscles.

» Day 2: Each member of the group (with 4Play shown only as a muscle-bound silhouette) talks about the concept of the album, which Baby Blue — who now goes by the name Diamond Blue and who looks like he's channeling all three members of Bell Biv DeVoe simultaneously — sums up thusly: "This is '08. That's '80s backwards."

» Days 3-5: The other members of Pretty Ricky take turns pimping not only the album and their newest member, but also the general prowess of the group. Slick 'Em (the one with the dreadlocks) says that each member of PR is "spontaneous and full of vigor. ... You gotta have your grown man on, and you gotta be a beast in the bedroom." Blue calls Pretty Ricky "unstoppable ... undeniable." And Spectacular (he's the one who licks his lips a lot) tells us that "[For] the first album, Bluestars, you needed a tissue. Second album, Late Night Special, you needed a rag. This album ... you need a towel for all those tears."

» Days 6-8: A shadowy figure (whom we can safely assume is 4Play) talks about the prowess of 4Play. The ladies talk about the prowess of 4Play. And finally, 4Play, in silhouette once again, croons about the prowess of 4Play, bleating out, "There's a new sheriff in town ... and his name is 4Play."

» Day 9: 4Play — who, we should know, is "the number-one singer in the world" — is finally introduced, and he steps to the mic to croon another tale of his sexual prowess. Pretty Ricky fans, however, remain unimpressed. "He can sing — he ugly tho" is how one YouTube commenter puts it.

» Day 10: During an SUV trip up Interstate 95, we learn that Slick 'Em once told his fifth-grade teacher that he wanted to be a pimp. We also learn that, apparently, the difference between the suffixes "-tion" and "-tioning" is that "-tion" is a noun and "-tioning" is a verb. Or, as Professor Blue (who really is the MVP of the entire series) explains, "If we get a nice young lady, or a '-tion,' [and] by the end of the night we end up '--tioning,' that actually means that we ended up having intercourse, penetration, oral sex, kissing, hugging — whatever you want to call it — that's '-tioning.' "

» Days 11-12: The fellas work out and shoot dice at a fake craps table, sans T-shirts (4Play also does both in wraparound shades and a do-rag). There is much discussion about "the ladies" and "hustling." Hilarity ensues.

» Day 13: Sitting in what looks like your grandma's Florida room (potted plants, glass coffee table, bizarre jungle mural on the wall), Pretty Ricky hammer away on a keyboard and sing about having sex with '80s babies. Slick 'Em inexplicably holds a lint roller throughout.

» Day 14: In perhaps the most amazing moment of the entire series, Blue and 4Play sit in a shiny recording studio, both combing their hair (4Play's sole contribution to the group seems to be his ability to do this) while the camera slowly pulls out to reveal that Blue is wearing nothing but a wife-beater and jockey shorts. The duo then explain that they recorded the songs on 80's Babies "butt-ass f---ing nekkid," because, as Blue explains, "When y'all hear that riff, I want y'all to say, 'I wonder if he was nekkid when he did that?' And you know what you gonna say then? 'Yeah.' "

» Days 15-16: Miscellaneous photo shoots at a Miami soundstage. Nothing much of note here, save the group's matching Versace silk shirts and the faces Spectacular makes throughout.

» Day 17: The guys talk about their ideal mates while lounging in what appears to be an Egyptian tomb. 4Play says he's looking for "sex, love and romance" (he also says this reclining, shirtless, on King Tut's daybed), while Blue is less choosy. "I like thick girls, skinny girls, girls with one toe, girls with five toes, girls with 10 toes," he says. "Small, skinny, extra-large. It ain't a joking matter."

» Day 18: Back in grandma's Florida room, the guys caterwaul about the ladies. Grandma shuts the sliding-glass door.

» Day 19-20: Pretty Ricky recline in the studio and give 4Play a chance to tell the ladies what he's all about. He promptly sucks all the energy out of the room with a monotone soliloquy about "setting you up for a hot night" (he also touches his face a lot). Oh, BTW, everyone is wearing matching military outfits, complete with medals that apparently are on par with the Purple Heart. "Y'all can't take these stripes," Spectacular yells as the camera cuts to a close-up of said medals. "We earned them." They also go to the beach.

» Day 21: In the series' grand finale, we follow 4Play as he gets his Pretty Ricky tattoo, thereby signifying his loyalty to the group. He also signs a waiver, talks on the phone and — you guessed it — combs his hair some more, while the other members of the group look on like proud papas. Clearly the guy's a strong addition to the flock.

• Pretty Ricky

Jessica Sierra
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

After a legal snafu that almost landed her back behind bars, former "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sierra is on her way to a rehab facility in California again. According to Florida Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi, the troubled singer — who was ordered to spend a year in the Pasadena Recovery Center as a result of her recent arrest on disorderly intoxication charges — had her emergency probation transfer order rejected by the California Department of Probation. That resulted in the awkward situation of Sierra, 22, being out of jail but unable to begin rehab. "She was supposed to get on a plane yesterday, but the probation department in California wouldn't accept her transfer on an expedited basis because they take up to 45 days to review requests, so we had the unfortunate situation of a pregnant addict on the streets," Bondi said. Luckily, Sierra was able to get back into court Thursday (January 10), and the judge in the case gave her permission to travel immediately with her dad to Los Angeles and get picked up by a representative from the Center, where she will be allowed to stay until the probation transfer is approved. ...

The fallout from Britney Spears' hospitalization continues, as a Maloof Productions spokesperson confirmed to MTV News that a reality show with former Spears associate Alli Sims is no longer "moving forward." Sims had hoped to do a reality show demonstrating what her daily life is like in Hollywood — including occasional appearances by her cousin, friend and former employer. A source close to the production said nothing had been taped yet, not even a pilot, and that Sims was only in the early stages of talks, with no deal yet struck with the Maloofs, who own the Sacramento Kings and Las Vegas' Palms Casino Resort, a frequent Spears haunt. But right now, the source said, "Britney needs to heal. She doesn't need another reality show." Spears last appeared in the reality program "Chaotic," which featured the early stages of her courtship with Kevin Federline. ...

Mischa Barton has spoken out about her recent arrest for DUI and drug possession. The English actress told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show Thursday morning, "Obviously, I am 100 percent responsible for my actions, and I am really disappointed in myself. I am not perfect, and I don't ever intend to do something that stupid again." The former "O.C." star, who was also arrested for driving without a valid license, added, "I usually try not to get behind the wheel." ... Despite protesting that the case was baseless, Avril Lavigne has reached a settlement with 1970s rock band the Rubinoos over claims that her hit "Girlfriend" plagiarized their 1979 single, "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend." The Canadian Press reports that a confidential settlement has been reached with the Rubinoos, who have agreed to drop their claims, but that the settlement does not necessarily indicate an admission of copyright infringement. ...

Here's one for the adults — T.I., the Shins and Daft Punk are among the artists participating in this year's installment of Playboy's Rock the Rabbit. The roster of musicians — which also includes Duran Duran, Iggy Pop and Hot Chip — will appear in the magazine's March issue and help create limited-edition T-shirt designs that will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Rock the Vote. ... Jennifer Lopez's "Bordertown," which was widely panned by critics who caught early screenings of it, is headed straight to DVD. The film is about a reporter, played by Lopez, who investigates a series of murders of young female factory workers in Mexico. She also produced the movie, which will hit stores January 29. ... Jim Jones, Raekwon, Redman, Green Lantern and Papoose have piled onto Pete Rock's new LP, Billboard reports. The iTunes version of NY's Finest, which is due February 26, will reportedly also have a bonus track featuring Slum Village. Meanwhile, "914" — one of the B-side songs that will accompany the first single, "We Roll" (featuring Jones) — has featured guest spots by Styles P and Sheek Louch. ...

We don't normally report on hairstyles — except when the most famous black beehive in the world suddenly gets chopped and bleached. Pictures are circulating of Amy Winehouse's new 'do, which is a stark change from the style that helped make the soul singer famous. ... "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale is slated to make her feature-film debut in a comedy about a group of teens who defend their vacation home from an alien attack. The Hollywood Reporter reports that production on "They Came From Upstairs" will start next month in New Zealand, with a cast that also includes Robert Hoffman ("Step Up 2 the Streets"), Carter Jenkins ("Viva Laughlin") and Austin Butler ("Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide"). ...

On Thursday, MySpace announced the launch of its new MySpace Celebrity hub, which will feature pop-culture news, blogs, videos and events. Among the 300 celebrities who have profiles on the new hub are Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, "Juno" star Ellen Page, Ashton Kutcher, "The Hills" star Audrina Patridge and Hayden Panettiere. ... Radiohead are taking to the airwaves again, this time to fill in on BBC Radio 1 for host Zane Lowe while he's away on holiday, Pitchfork reports. The band, which webcast live studio performances earlier this year, will be on BBC Radio 1 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. U.K. time on January 17. ... Marilyn Manson and estranged bassist Twiggy Ramirez have made up. According to a statement from the group, Ramirez has rejoined Manson for the band's upcoming North American tour, following the split of bassist Tim Skold. ...

Unreleased tune-age from Feist, Bloc Party, Of Montreal, Deerhoof and Muse is scattered across a new charity release benefiting Energy Action Coalition, which helps support and strengthen the youth clean-energy movement in North America. The Green Owl Comp: A Benefit for the Energy Action Coalition, which consists of a CD and DVD, is due April 8. ... The Fader has an unlikely new executive editor in Chris Richards, who was previously a guitarist/singer for post-punk band Q and Not U. He previously covered music for The Washington Post. ... Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds will release their next album, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, on April 8, and have revealed the album's track list. The record will feature 11 songs, including "Night of the Lotus Eaters," "Lie Down Here (& Be My Girl)" and "Jesus of the Moon." ...

Some of late Godfather of Soul James Brown's personal possessions are being appraised for auction to help pay some of the state taxes owed by his estate. The Associated Press reports that attorneys would not say exactly what items are on the block, or how much the estate owes in taxes, but some reports said the rights to some of Brown's songs could be among the items up for bid.

1.9.08

Jennifer Lopez says she was pretty sure people had put two and two together about her pregnancy before she formally announced it. "I was on tour with a bubble gut!" the singer/actress recently told Harper's Bazaar for its February cover story. Lopez, who has a new fragrance on the way, also glowed about husband Marc Anthony, saying, "He made me realize you can be an artist, and have credibility and success, without your life being on public display 24 hours a day." The issue hits stands Tuesday. ...

A parole hearing for Michael Derderian — co-owner of the Station nightclub in Rhode Island, where a fire during a Great White concert claimed the lives of 100 people in February 2003 — was held Wednesday evening (January 9), according to The Associated Press, but a decision won't be handed down until January 16. Relatives of some of the victims reportedly challenged Derderian's possible parole at the hearing, calling him a greedy businessman who put money before safety. "Michael Derderian violated a sacred code of ethics by not providing a safe haven for his patrons. In addition, he has shown absolutely no remorse," said William C. Bonardi, who lost his son in the fire, according to AP. Derderian became parole-eligible after serving 16 months of his four-year prison sentence. The fire was sparked by the show's onstage pyrotechnics, which ignited the venue's flammable soundproofing foam. In September 2006, Derderian and his brother, Jeffrey, pleaded no contest to involuntary-manslaughter charges. Jeffrey Derderian was sentenced to 500 hours of community service and was spared time behind bars. Daniel Biechele, Great White's tour manager and the man who set off the pyrotechnics, was granted parole from his four-year sentence in September and will be released in two months. The parole board plans to meet privately with Derderian in prison before handing down the decision. ...

Prodigy's prison term on a charge of gun possession has been pushed back to allow doctors time to produce records documenting the Mobb Deep rapper's sickle cell anemia, according to New York's Daily News. The MC (real name: Albert Johnson) was supposed to start a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence, for which he was indicted in October, on Wednesday, but a New York judge said doctors need more time to gather medical records, Daily News reports. The judge will reportedly talk to state officials about assigning Prodigy to a prison where he would be able to get easy access to medical treatment for sickle cell anemia, which is an incurable blood disorder that can lead to stroke and organ damage. Earlier this month, Prodigy announced plans to issue his second solo album while behind bars. H.N.I.C. Part 2 is due in March. ...

Radiohead will tour North America soon — we just don't know when. All we do know is where. The band's publicist released a list of the cities Radiohead will hit on their tour, but they've yet to issue the stretch's dates or any venue information. The trek will make stops in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Seattle, Philadelphia and San Francisco, among other cities. ... Christina Aguilera will release "Back to Basics - Live and Down Under," a 90-minute DVD chronicling her world tour's stops in Sydney, Australia, in July. The February 5 effort will feature 18 live cuts, including "Ain't No Other Man," "Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" and, of course, "What a Girl Wants." The DVD will also boast interviews with Christina's dancers, husband Jordan Bratman and Christina herself. ...

Justin Timberlake, Johnny Depp and Katherine Heigl came away with People's Choice Awards on Tuesday in a pre-taped program hosted by Queen Latifah. JT nabbed three trophies, while Jack Sparrow earned the Favorite Male Movie Star prize and the "Grey's Anatomy" actress landed the Favorite Female TV Star honor. As for the show itself, it absolutely tanked — 5.3 million fewer viewers tuned in this year than last. ... T-Pain, former Pretty Ricky singer Pleasure, Jazze Pha and Mannie Fresh have lent their skills to Dem Franchize Boyz's second effort, Da Point of No Return. The disc drops March 25 and is preceded by its first single, the wackily titled "Talkin' Out Da Side of Ya Neck!" ...

Kanye West posted a still image of the next video from Graduation, "Flashing Lights," on his blog Tuesday. In the post, 'Ye didn't give many details about the video, though he did write that he recently returned from Denmark, where he met with the director, whom he didn't name. ... Chicago MCs Lupe Fiasco and Rhymefest debated the merits of Democratic presidential hopeful Illinois Senator Barack Obama online recently. In an interview with SOHH.com, Fiasco expressed his dismay over the voting system and revealed that he wasn't going to vote in the upcoming election. If he did, however, he said he would punch his ballet for New York Senator Hillary Clinton. "Obama doesn't really impress me like that," Lupe said. 'Fest countered that his colleague was being irresponsible with his comments. He posted on his MySpace blog that the skateboarding rapper should be a bit more informed when speaking publicly about elections. "Please, do not let your arrogance be the fuel for your ignorance," Rhymefest wrote. ...

Silverstein — who count only vegetarians among their ranks — have been named Best Animal-Friendly Band in peta2's second annual Libby Awards. Scary Kids Scaring Kids, who have previously teamed with peta2; Rise Against; record labels Victory and Epitaph; and the Vans Warped Tour were also recognized for their various furry efforts. ... A pair of Pantera fans are trying to get a life-size statue commemorating late guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott erected in Texas. The Dime Statue in Dallas Foundation has already pulled in more than a grand for the project — go here for more info. ...

PJ Harvey just put out a new studio LP, White Chalk, in October, but that's not stopping the chanteuse from slapping together another one for release this year. She is reconvening with English multi-instrumentalist and songwriter John Parish for a yet-untitled effort that will be the follow-up to their joint 1996 disc, Dance Hall at Louse Point. Harvey has also sketched out five performances in Australia and New Zealand in February, as well as a March 9 show in Rome. ... Broken Social Scene have broken out their plans for a globe-trotting trek that will take them from New Zealand to Australia, Japan, Singapore and, finally, England. In the latter country, the crafty Canucks will play May 16 at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival that is being curated by Explosions in the Sky. ...

Yellowcard have been enlisted to perform for U.S. soldiers stationed in the Persian Gulf. The rockers' first-ever tour with the United Service Organizations also sees them signing autographs and hanging out with the troops. "This tour isn't just a treat for them but also for us," frontman Ryan Key said in a press release. ... Less Than Jake want to make sure you haven't forgotten about some of their early releases. The ska-punk band — which has full control and ownership of its back catalog — has formed its own label, Sleep It Off, and plans to re-release a bunch of titles March 18: two albums (1995's Pezcore and 1996's Losers, Kings, and Things We Don't Understand), a rarities comp (2002's Goodbye White & Blue) and a DVD (2004's "The People's History of Less Than Jake"). ... Punk band Anti-Flag have set an April 1 release date for their next album, The Bright Lights of America. The album was helmed by producer Tony Visconti (T. Rex, David Bowie), and it marks Visconti's first foray into punk production. ...

Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones concert flick finally has a name and new release date. "Shine a Light," which had previously been due in late August, will now roll into theaters April 4. ... Forty years ago, Johnny Cash made music history at Folsom Prison. Now, an upcoming tribute hailing the late icon has received the death penalty. Less than 48 hours after promoters announced plans to honor the Man in Black's legacy with a concert marking his Folsom anniversary, the show has been scrapped. Citing security and recording-rights concerns, officials at the California prison shot down the idea Monday night. The event had planned to feature several members of the backing band from 1968's At Folsom Prison, regarded by some as the greatest live album ever recorded.

• Jessica Sierra
• Amy Winehouse
• Avril Lavigne
• The Rubinoos
• Ashley Tisdale

Pretty Ricky's Marcus Cooper
Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images

It looks like things between Baby Blue, Spectacular, Slick 'Em and Pleasure aren't that pretty after all.

Less than a week after the remaining members of Pretty Ricky declared their relationship with Pleasure was cordial, MTV News has obtained a federal complaint filed on behalf of the departed singer by his attorneys Robert Meloni and Steve Schwartz.

In the complaint, Pleasure (real name: Marcus Cooper), alleges a number of wrongdoings against Joseph "Blue" Smith — Baby Blue and Spectacular's dad and the head of Bluestar Entertainment, the company Pretty Ricky is signed to in a deal with Atlantic Records. The group's management and booking company, International Artist Agency, is also named in the suit.

According to Pleasure, Smith deceived the singer by first acting as a surrogate father to him and also serving in roles that were conflicts of interest for Pleasure and the group, including acting as a personal manager, business manager, booking agent, record exec and music publisher. The suit alleges that Smith "exploited conflict of interests in the competing roles he occupied in Cooper's life."

International Artist Agency, headed by Stephen Brush, is alleged to have abetted a number of Smith's practices, according to the complaint.

Pleasure, according to the information filed earlier this week, is seeking a release from his contract with Bluestar and back pay owed to him. The suit claims that the former Pretty Ricky star has not been properly compensated for his contributions to the group, whose two albums have both been certified gold, pushing more than 500, 000 copies each.

The suit also alleges that Smith used physical intimidation. According to the complaint, when Pleasure began to distance himself from the group and sought out the friendship of others, in one instance, Smith attacked a friend of the singer's as a means of coercion.

Pleasure first raised eyebrows earlier this year on the red carpet at the BET Hip Hop Awards, when he announced he was leaving the successful act. The group's only singer told the media he would be pursuing a solo career instead.

According to Meloni, one of Pleasure's attorneys, a formal notification stating the singer's withdrawal from the group was sent to Bluestar and Atlantic Records in August, prior to the public announcement.

Meloni explained to MTV News that Pleasure's complaint was first drawn up as a draft and sent to the offices of Bluestar as a notice. Meloni said the action was done in hopes of avoiding litigation. According to a press release sent Monday, however, Bluestar has filed a lawsuit of its own against Pleasure for breach of contract.

In an interview with MTV News last week, Baby Blue confirmed that Pleasure was still under contract with Bluestar and that both parties were negotiating terms for the release of Pleasure's solo album.

Those plans seem to be on hold for now in the wake of Pleasure's lawsuit.

A representative for International Artist Agency was unavailable for comment as of press time.

• Pretty Ricky

Pretty Ricky
Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images

NEW YORK — For R&B outfit Pretty Ricky, the past 12 months have been more cause for celebration than concern.

Sure, group member Pleasure parted ways with the fellas — and rather publicly, breaking the news on the BET Hip Hop Awards red carpet. But 2007 marked the first time that the Miami crooners landed atop the Billboard albums chart when their sophomore set, Late Night Special, debuted at #1, selling more than 132,000 copies during its first week.

Now the fellas are focused on making sure they experience similar success in 2008, while also bringing some new blood into the group. They were quick to point out that the group hadn't broken up, nor was there any friction between their brother Pleasure and the rest of the guys. The idea for Pleasure to leave was discussed prior to the seemingly out-of-the-blue announcement, said Baby Blue, PR's most vocal member.

"Pleasure, you know, he's not in the group anymore," Baby Blue told MTV News. "But he wants to do a solo album, and he's still signed to our label [Atlantic Records' Bluestar Entertainment]. So we just negotiating and trying to figure out which directions we want to go in, whether we want to do the solo album or not.

"There wasn't any creative difference," he added. "Because we're a family. Growing up, you get older and want to see what else is out there. It doesn't mean you're leaving your family; it's just exploring other opportunities. We gonna be there and support him 110 percent."

In the meantime, Baby Blue, Spectacular and Slick 'Em have hit the Web in search of a fourth member, specifically a singer they can bring into the fold. The three remaining members are rappers first and singers second. They want to have an album turned in to Atlantic by February.

"We want to stay true to the sound," Baby Blue explained. "We're a hip-hop and R&B group. The three of us rap, and the fourth member has to be a singer just to keep the music consistent."

If the downsized trio's plans come to life, their search for a replacement will hit the small screen via a reality series. The group is pitching the plot to several networks. According to Baby Blue, the focus will be on the fit of a new member more than anything.

"It's more about [whether a new member can] be another brother and just cope with all our family issues or whatever," Baby Blue said. "And they got to be a woman magnet. They got to know how to deal with these ladies, 'cause that's one thing we got to do. That's why the music is all about women, because Pretty Ricky loves the ladies and the ladies love Pretty Ricky."

• Pretty Ricky

Chris Brown, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, More At 2008 BET Awards

• Rihanna
• Alicia Keys
• Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)
• Flo Rida
• DJ Khaled

Beyoncé, 50 Cent, Jennifer Hudson, More At The 2007 BET Awards

• Michelle Williams
• Beyoncé
• Kelly Rowland
• Jennifer Hudson
• 50 Cent

The Week In Pictures For February 2, 2007

• Fall Out Boy
• Bow Wow
• Ciara
• The Police
• Pretty Ricky

Rod Coleman, Pretty Ricky, Juelz Santana

• Pretty Ricky
• Juelz Santana

Bow Wow, Omarion, Marques Houston, More On The 2005 Scream IV Tour

• Omarion
• Bow Wow
• Pretty Ricky
• Marques Houston

Lindsay, Paris, Hilary, Chingy And More At The 2005 American Music Awards

• Lindsay Lohan
• Hilary Duff
• Chingy
• Pharrell Williams
• Bow Wow