Salt N Pepa: pioneers and legends of hip hop
Trend-setting champions come to mind when we think of the infamous dynamic duo, top-notch entertainers “SALT N PEPA.” Cheryl (Salt) James, a Brooklyn native and Sandi (Pepa) Denton from Queens via Kingston Jamaica, are the world’s first female hip hop legends. It was the year 1986 before Rap became a genre and although the game was still all male, the group we know today as Salt N Pepa changed their name from Super Nature and signed to independent Next Plateau Records. They released their first song Hot, Cool and Vicious – produced by Randy Hurby “the luv bug” Azor; breaking the glass ceiling in Hip Hop forever. Shortly after, in 1987, they would release the hit single from their album “Push It” selling more than a million copies. Their groundbreaking success topped the charts, earning them their first Grammy nomination and launching the group to the international popularity they have today.
Sitting in Cheryl’s beautiful home, having tea, I asked her if she ever dreamed of the group being so successful from the start. She told me how she and Sandi met in nursing school and how they had always loved music. How they were “working hard” even in those days, busy going to school and working for Sears as telephone representatives. “We were always looking for the next big thing. So I guess you could say, yeah, because we always knew we were going to be successful.” Oddly enough, and as fate would have it, while at Sears, the girls worked alongside the then, also unknown, Kid N Play and Martin Lawrence. They promised each other that whoever did it first would help others, and they did!
Pep stated, “We all became best friends and when we started touring, Martin Lawrence opened up for us by warming up the crowd. Watch him today.” As laughter filled the room, he continued to explain his relationship with the group’s founder. “I will always have that soft spot for Azor, because even though we had difficult times with each other, it is thanks to him that we were able to achieve a lifestyle that we would never have known otherwise.”
Azor was, at the time, a student at the media arts center and also Cheryl’s boyfriend. Azor asked Cheryl if she and her friend Sandi were willing to collaborate using their voices in a class project to produce an album. They said yes!
Cheryl said: “We agreed because I always wanted stardom and Sandi was always ready for it.” They gladly accepted the offer and the project was a success for Azor in class, earning an “A” and on the streets leading up to the radio. A series of new tunes was composed to meet the demand. The girls hired a new personal DJ, Dee Dee (Spinderella) Roper, and went on a tour that would change all of their lives forever.
We started talking about the reality show.
“Well, Cheryl was the initiator of that,” Sandi said. Referring to the reality show “Let’s talk about Pep”, which aired on VH-1. The show followed Sandi’s adventures in New York City with four girlfriends: Cheryl (Salt) James; the journalist Jacque Reid; Joumana Kidd, former model and ex-wife of basketball star Jason Kidd; and radio personality Kali Troy, also known as Kittie.
Sandi, who wasn’t a rookie when it came to reality TV, was the perfect person to lead the show. She said, “I was already doing reality shows,” referring to her roles in Surreal Life in 2005 and The Surreal Life: Fame Games in 2007.
Pep continues to stay up-to-date by keeping in touch with old school artists as well as new artists on the scene. She published her autobiography in 2008 also titled “Let’s Talk About Pep,” which gave the reader an insight into Sandi Denton and some of the fire she had to overcome. Some literally, while sharing the story in her book of how her lover, whom she refers to as “Brad”, abused her. During that abusive period in their relationship, Brad tried to burn Sandi’s face with an iron, but while struggling with her he failed and burned the skin on her arm. As he turned to run, he scratched his cornea and made him wear an eye patch. Sandi, feeling that she was making all the wrong decisions about finding a mate, led her to celibacy. The book’s introduction is written by Queen Latifah with an epilogue by Missy Elliott, two of her very dear friends.
So the idea of a reality show as a kind of jump-and-go of the book was a great idea. They would base it on New York and show quotes from reality in today’s society. Cheryl thought the show would also let her fans know what happened to Salt N Pepa, as the group abruptly left with neither of them speaking publicly about it. Sandi said, “It was also a way to finally find out what happened,” while laughing.
The group’s last concert was in 1999 and they were at their peak when Cheryl ended the partnership, much to Sandi’s surprise.
Cheryl says, “I would have done it differently afterwards.” However, he has no regrets about putting it aside because he truly believes that the hiatus saved his life. He talked about his bulimia days and the long nights that turned into months of depression. “On the outside it looks glamorous, but it’s not all that it seems to be at some point.” He reflected on other celebrities like Britney Spears and even Michael Jackson. “You go from feeling loved and having fun to just feeling like a comfort.” He didn’t know what to do, but he knew he needed to heal.
One night, while on a series of binges and purges, she had what she called a “spiritual awakening.” This awakening was the “cure” that he longed for and what he gives credit today for saving his life. Soon after, he joined a church in Brooklyn, New York called the Christian Cultural Center (CCC), where AR Bernard is the pastor. At CCC they taught her how to regain strength and renew her self-esteem. When he was strong enough, he reached out to Pep and tried to repair their relationship, but Pep did not respond. Cheryl was understanding and persistent and got the message across about the reality show. She explained to Pep that she wanted to do a reality show in hopes of developing and building their relationship again. Sandi started listening and the show was born. Although the show is no longer on the air, Sandi and Cheryl agree that the show achieved its goals.
When asked how they felt about being living legends, Sandy was quick to say, “It feels great knowing that our contributions are worth something of value to so many. We are the pioneers and it feels good; look at us 30 years later, we are still in the I play. “Cheryl thought about it a bit and said,” I feel very grateful, a little overwhelmed but definitely grateful.
I asked them how they feel about the tour so far and what their fans can expect to see when they approach them. Both women were encouraged and were delighted to be in such high demand even without a current record. They spoke of their atoned relationship.
Sandi says: “It seems that we are now on the same page and we have learned to communicate about everything.”
Cheryl said, “I’m glad we’re together again.”
They both expressed enthusiasm as they talked about the crowded concert halls, the atmosphere, and the love that is present everywhere. They said it’s funny sometimes because people come dressed in all the clothes they wore in the ’80s. Cheryl talked about the colorful wigs, the big rope chains, and how some of her fans show up in Salt N Pepa jackets and t-shirts.
She says, “It’s a lot of fun.” Although they are both parents now with two children each and Cheryl with a husband to consider; He goes on to say “This time it’s more relaxed, less pressure and every night is like a family reunion.”
The line-up isn’t the same every night, but they share the stage with fellow old-school rappers Curtis Blow (“The Breaks”); “Human Beatbox,” Doug E. Fresh (“Just Having Fun”); Big Daddy Kane (“Raw”); MC Lyte (“Ruff Neck”); and Kool Moe Dee (“How I like you now”); as well as Houdini (“Friends”), just to name a few. They continue to discuss how they feel that this concert is pure irony. Old-school rap was mostly male-dominated and is now back in the limelight due to early female rappers challenging the game and having commercial success. Once again, they reign as the producers of the tour: Salt N Pepa presents the Tour Legends of Hip Hop.
“That is awesome!” Cheryl says smiling, “All I can say is … look at God.”
They mentioned that Dee Dee (Spinderella) Roper is not with them on the tour, but he was a very intricate part of the group in the early days. He also appeared with them on VH-1’s Hip Hop Honors in November 2004, where the trio was honored. Salt, Pep, and Spin reunited the following year for the next Hip Hop Honors program. It was the trio’s first performance in six years, and it was their first performance of “Whatta Man” with En Vogue on stage. Spin recently ran their own radio spot on Dallas 94.5 K-SOUL every business day from 9 am to 2 pm.
Cheryl and Sandi still enjoy the attention and want their fans to know that they should expect new music, new TV shows, and new places in the future. Sandi says, “Let’s say you haven’t seen the latest and greatest of us yet.” One last question, our magazine is a networking magazine for trendsetters like you, so what advice would you give to people who passionately follow your visions and dreams?
Cheryl: “Two things come to mind: 1. You have to believe in yourself, because you will need to base your faith when the hard times come. 2. Take care of the business. Many people leave the business to others, but it is very important that know what’s going on because there are a lot of people who end up showing nothing at the end of the day. “
Sandi: “We are pioneers in music, hairstyles, clothes, etc. I would say that you are yourself, but discover what sets you apart from the rest. Stand out, stretch, stay original, but don’t be afraid to stand up and be noticed.”
The Hip Hop Legends Tour was a huge success. We are looking for more from Salt n Pepa in the future to find out more about these women you can visit.
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