Salt-N-Pepa

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop group from New York, formed in 1985, with Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (Sandra Denton) and DJ Spinderella. The two women met at the department store Sears and were studying nursing. Their colleague Hurby Azor, who was studying music production, wrote The Showstopper for them. After that they dropped out of their studies. Azor came up with the name Salt-N-Pepa from the lyrics of that song.

Music and breakthrough

The debut album Hot, Cool & Vicious from 1986 sold more than a million copies in the United States. They were the first female rap group to go both gold and platinum. The big success came when DJ Cameron Paul remixed the B-side Push It. After that followed A Salt with a Deadly Pepa in 1988, Blacks' Magic in 1990 with Expression and Let's Talk About Sex, and Very Necessary in 1993 with Shoop, which sold more than five million copies in the United States. Brand New appeared later, in 1997.

Influence

The group emerged at a time when hip hop was considered a passing fad. It made cheerful, danceable rap with lyrics about women, self-confidence and sex, and so offered a counterweight to sexist lyrics and videos. It sold more than fifteen million records and was given the title The First Ladies of Rap.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1986Hot, Cool & Vicious
• 1988A Salt With a Deadly Pepa
• 1990Blacks’ Magic
• 1990Salt‐N‐Pepa (soundtrack)
• 1993Very Necessary
• 1997Brand New

See also

• A Salt With a Deadly Pepa