JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – R&B star Pleasure P, a member of the group Pretty Ricky, recently made his way back to Jacksonville for a show in May, a city he has visited numerous times over the years.
“Man, first time I performed here was probably 2005 — and and I think we performed at this the same place,” said Marcus Ramone Cooper Sr, better known by his stage name. “I’ve been in so many times since. So, congratulations to me on that. You know, shouting out myself, but we’re 20 years in, baby, 20 years.”
Each time he visits, Pleasure P makes sure to stop at a favorite local spot: Potter’s House Soul Food Bistro.
“Man, the pork chops, fried chicken,” he said, listing his go-to dishes.
But for the Miami native, it’s not just the food that keeps bringing him back — it’s the people.
“Y’all be waiting to see us. We be waiting to see y’all, too,” he said.
When asked what draws him to the city time and again, he spoke of the city’s special place in his heart.
“Man, I got so much love here. I’m a Florida boy. Well, obviously, I’m from Miami, but you know how we do. If the Jaguars don’t win, everybody goes for the Dolphins. That’s just what we do in Florida. I got a lot of friends and good people from Duval,” he said.
Fans won’t have to wait long for another chance to see him perform live after his performance on May 31 at Daily’s Place.
“We got the new Pretty Ricky album that’s about to drop. We’re going on tour. We’re gonna announce it pretty soon. And of course, you know, I’m a songwriter too. So I write a lot of songs behind the scenes,” he said.
Pleasure P expressed his gratitude for the younger generation still listening to his music.
“It’s a blessing because they sample a lot of my stuff, too. Tory Lanez, free Tory, he sampled a lot of my things, and so many more,” he said.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Pleasure P shared that music and success weren’t always guaranteed.
“I show young people that you could actually do something with your life and make a change. I was incarcerated when I was a teenager, and I wrote a lot of those songs while I was down. It’s just like, you know, you can do it. I haven’t ever been in trouble since I was, like 13 years ago. Yeah, got my life together,” he shared.
He also mentioned a new philanthropic endeavor.
“I have a nonprofit that I’m just now getting my arms around, and we got a lot of work to do still,” he said.
As the interview wrapped up, he encouraged fans to come out for his upcoming tour.
“Like I said, the tour is gonna be in the city. Y’all pull up on me, and it’s gonna be a wonderful time. We’re gonna do what we do well here in Duval,” he said.