In the 1970’s Hip Hop became a huge fad starting in Bronx, New York and only grew bigger from there. You had MC’s such as Slick Rick, Melle Mel, LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim, Afrika Bambaataa and so many more. As great as it was hip hop was becoming a male dominated industry and the only role women played was the sexy piece of eye candy. That all changed when female MC’s such as Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Salt n Pepa and others came onto the scene and gave the rap game a much needed change.
Before all of the hype and four successful albums Salt, formally known as Cheryl James, and Pepa, Sandy Denton, were working at Sears. Then Herby “Luv Bug” Azor, Salts boyfriend at the time and later manager, gave the girls that jump to stardom. The first record out was Showstopper, an answer to Dougie E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s The Show. This record was also how the duo received the name Salt n Pepa.
“Right now I’m gonna show you how it’s suppose to be
Cuz we, the Salt and Pepa MC’s”
Hot, Cool & Vicious was the duo’s first major album with 3 singles that made some noise throughout the music mainstream. Then Push it, a remix to Tramp, hit the radio waves and Salt n Pepa was being heard everywhere. The joint even became one of the first rap records to be nominated for a Grammy.
Before all of the hype and four successful albums Salt, formally known as Cheryl James, and Pepa, Sandy Denton, were working at Sears. Then Herby “Luv Bug” Azor, Salts boyfriend at the time and later manager, gave the girls that jump to stardom. The first record out was Showstopper, an answer to Dougie E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s The Show. This record was also how the duo received the name Salt n Pepa.
“Right now I’m gonna show you how it’s suppose to be
Cuz we, the Salt and Pepa MC’s”
Hot, Cool & Vicious was the duo’s first major album with 3 singles that made some noise throughout the music mainstream. Then Push it, a remix to Tramp, hit the radio waves and Salt n Pepa was being heard everywhere. The joint even became one of the first rap records to be nominated for a Grammy.
Salt n Pepa later added DJ Spinderalla to the group and the three women became a stronger force within the Hip Hop game. They were sexy and strong and didn’t fall into the stereo of women just being sexual objects. Pepa says in an interview with Arsenio Hall, “You don’t have to look hard to come across hard.” These women spit fire in every verse gaining the respect of men in and outside the Hip Hop industry.
So over the Years the three began to release hit after hit leading up to their 4th album Very Necessary in 1993 where the hit “Whatta Man” feat. En Vogue bumped through the speakers of millions as it became a top chart hit. The path of Salt n Pepa will forever be imprinted in throughout Hip Hop; allowing other female rappers to step in the same steps and beyond.
