Pleasure P Aims to Please

Pleasure P's album came out a few weeks ago, and here's my take on it.

Those expecting former Pretty Ricky member Pleasure P's debut album to be drenched in riveting sexual explicitness and gyrating beats will discover something of a different flavor. In 2007, he announced his departure from the group and unlike artists who release music that is the reincarnation of the very sound that garnered their former group's success, Pleasure P is more calculated. Poised to distinguish himself post-teen R&B group fame he's here to introduce the real Marcus Cooper with a blueprint that has few traces of his Pretty Ricky days.

Introduction of Marcus Cooper is a solidly mature album as was foreshadowed when lead single, “Did You Wrong”, showed a young man sincerely singing to the woman he's had a rocky relationship with and wasn't of the borderline raunchy one-night stand caliber of some songs of today. Following the positive reception of his first single was the unapologetic, “Boyfriend #2, where he appears to have no qualms with serving as a “boyfriend on the side”; the single climbed up music charts and as of now, is his highest ranking single. Pleasure P showcases his mastery of the slow jam with songs like, “Let Me” and “Under”, but doesn't skimp on the sexual-themed or up-tempo songs like “Birthday Suit” and “Fire Lovin” – which is much expected by someone with a moniker like Pleasure P and who proclaims to be the “new bad boy of R&B”.

In an industry where featuring an overwhelming roster of artists on albums seems almost like a prerequisite for new artists (and sometimes, veterans) Introduction of Marcus Cooper's only collaborations are “I'm a Beast” featuring Yung Joc and a bonus track remix of “Boyfriend #2” with Flo Rida - after that, it's all ears on Pleasure P. A few of the men behind the scenes are the late Static Major who he attributes for giving him musical inspiration, Adonis, Cool and Dre, Rico Love and R&B singers Tank and Keith Sweat. The harmonious union between Pleasure P's voice and the production leaves little room for mismatched melodies and vocals on the album.

Introduction to Marcus Cooper makes a good first impression and officially catapults him into the ring with some favorite newer R&B heavyweights. With an album that possesses charisma and lures you in until the next strong delivery, Pleasure P pleases his first time around.