Today we’d like to introduce you to Pretty Rico Bandz.
Hi Pretty Rico, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I come from a musical family — everyone sings or plays instruments — so as the youngest of four, it was only natural for me to fall in love with entertainment. The moment I truly knew this was my calling was during a youth night event: I recreated a Deitrick Haddon track and dressed up as Usher from the 8701 album. Feeling the rush from the crowd and the energy from the stage — I knew I was home.
My first major stage experience was with a boy band called 441 at the Lake Eola stage in Orlando. From there, I started working with Disney, but really started gaining recognition with the boy band 3AM, doing high school tours and homecomings all over the city. I stayed busy with Disney projects too, eventually joining the Disney Channel Rock Show.
After Disney, there was a real-world pause — I worked at Subway for a bit before taking a leap of faith and moving to Atlanta. Through Nelly, I met Yung Joc, who became my manager, and that led to me becoming the voice of the intro for “Yung Joc’s Streetz Morning Takeover” radio show.
That momentum opened doors for acting opportunities — I portrayed Diddy in both “All Eyez on Me” and “Snapped: Notorious (Season 21, Episode 6, “Tupac Shakur”)”, landed roles in several Tubi films alongside Dennis White, and made appearances on shows like FOX’s “The Resident” and “City of War”, which was co-produced by Kodak Black.
At the same time, I kept building my music career — performing with and writing for major artists like R. Kelly, Pretty Ricky, Jagged Edge, and Sammie. I co-wrote Pretty Ricky’s record “Puddle,” and had the chance to work alongside legends like Teddy Riley, Sean Garrett, and Stevie J.
Since returning to Orlando, I’ve been performing with groups like Fish n Grits and Evolution Motown by Victory Productions, all while continuing my solo career as Pretty Rico Bandz. I dropped my latest album “A New Jack Thang” this past January, and I’m excited to be releasing a brand-new album this June, just in time for the summer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely been a long road, filled with a lot of lessons. Moving to Atlanta brought a new set of challenges — especially being an R&B artist. At that time, Atlanta was full of talent, but it was hard finding real stages ready for R&B singers who wanted to perform and showcase original music. A lot of the opportunities were geared toward rap or pop, so trying to break through as an R&B artist there wasn’t easy.
Coming back to Orlando, the challenges are different but just as real. There’s a strong live music scene, but a lot of the love and support tends to go to cover bands. Original R&B artists — the ones creating and performing their own music — don’t always get the same respect or visibility. It can be tough because while Orlando has some great stages and venues, they’re not always accessible to R&B artists pushing original material. You really have to fight to create those moments for yourself.
Even with all that, I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. It’s made me hungrier, more creative, and it’s fueled my passion to keep building my own lane and shining a light on real R&B music.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a singer, producer, songwriter, actor, and screenwriter — I specialize in all forms of entertainment. I’m known for my role as Diddy in All Eyez on Me and Oxygen’s Snapped: Notorious (Tupac Shakur), as well as my music career under the name Pretty Rico Bandz.
What I’m most proud of is the opportunity I had to portray Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. That role was a huge milestone in my career, and it really tested my versatility and my commitment to the craft.
What sets me apart is my tenacity and versatility. Whether it’s acting, writing, producing, or performing, I’m always adapting and pushing myself to evolve. I believe that constant growth and not limiting myself to one lane is what really makes me stand out.
How do you think about happiness?
The stage is where I feel the most alive. Everything could be going wrong in life, but the moment I step foot on that stage, it all disappears. There’s something so genuine about the love people give when I’m performing — it’s a feeling that resonates deeply with me. That energy from the crowd helps heal me, even if it’s just for a moment. It’s that connection, that exchange of energy, that makes everything worth it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @prettyricobandz
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/prettyricobandz
- Twitter: @prettyricobandz
- Youtube: @prettyricobandz
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/prettyricobandz
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/pretty-rico-bandz/1520337484
