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A Salt-N-Pepa Hip-Hop Feminism Syllabus
Ahead of Lifetime’s biopic on the legendary rap group, we pulled this list together. Dig in.
Black women’s effects on hip-hop dates back to its inception more than 50 years ago. Founding father Kool Herc had help from his sister when he threw his epic block parties. Sylvia Robinson established a viable business model with Sugar Hill Records. Sha-Rock, Sparky D, and Roxanne Shanté were also in the mix, setting examples for future generations of women who wanted to rock the mic. The Sequence was an early example of what a group of rhyme-slanging women could do on a national level.
Our influence on the genre cannot be discussed without the legendary Salt-N-Pepa, who now have a Lifetime biopic to illustrate their legacy. Salt-N-Pepa, premiering January 23, chronicles Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra Muriel “Spinderella” Roper’s journey from humble beginnings in Queens, New York, to becoming hip-hop icons.
Salt-N-Pepa is the first female rap crew to go gold and platinum and achieve mainstream success. Spinderella joined Salt-N-Pepa in 1987, replacing the first DJ for the group, Latoya Hanson, who appears on the cover of their 1986 debut album Hot, Cool & Vicious. Self-described as “bringing, fun, fashion, and femininity,” the group introduced the world to hip-hop feminism, a term that was later defined by Joan Morgan in her 1999 book, When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost.
When Salt-N-Pepa arrived on the scene, they challenged the men with “The Showstopper” — a diss track aimed at Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s “The Show.” It was playful, cheeky, and bold. They showed us women could hang with the men on the mic and look fierce while doing it. Their single, “Push It” set the stage for their fearlessness through a catchy hook and sexy bravado. With the single, they created a new dance, set new fashion trends, and broke the proverbial glass ceiling. They immortalized oversized coats over spandex and lopsided, cropped bobs. They talked about sex…
