SALT-N-PEPA

Original press kit biography

Salt & Pepa, pp. 3-4. Transcribed from the circa 1987 Idol Makers press kit. The wording reflects the time it was written.

Salt & Pepper are two of the world's most popular seasonings. They not only adorn almost every kitchen and restaurant table, but are essential ingredients in many of the worlds finest recipes and dishes.

When personified in the world of rap music, these two universally tasteful seasonings become, "SALT & PEPA"; two lovely and enchanting mistresses who add special flavor that has long been missing from the rap scene - the female point of view!

Who are these beautiful and provocative ladies, whose very first release "The Showstoppa", recorded under their original name, "SUPERNATURE", reached the top 20 on the Billboard charts?

They are Cheryl p.k.a. SALT a.k.a. Cher, an Aries from Brooklyn, now residing in Queens; and Sandy p.k.a. PEPA a.k.a. Sandy D, a Scorpio, was born in Kingston, Jamaica and also living in Queens.

Cheryl and Sandy had the good fortune of meeting one another while working at Sears-Roebuck. They found, to their amazement, that they both had many of the same interests: dancing, roller skating, and entertaining through rap. Cheryl and Sandy further discovered that while Cheryl was "rockin' the house" at block parties and park jams in her old Brooklyn neighborhood, Sandy was "dazzlin'" the B-Boys in Queens.

They immediately became friends and while passing the time away on the job, -- which at times was extremely boring, -- they would joke, laugh, sing and demonstrate their rapping abilities to one another.

Little did they realize that they were not the only rappers working at Sears. They soon met another employee, "Hurby Love Bug", who at one time was a member of a group called, "Quick Silver and the Super Lovers". Hurby was attending the Center for Media Arts and asked Cheryl and Sandy to help him with a project for his Audio Production class. The result was, "The Show Stoppa" the answer to Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's "The Show".

Their next release, "I'll Take Your Man", brought a change in name to, "SALT & PEPA" and a new label, NEXT PLATEAU.

The rest is history. SALT & PEPA became overnight sensations and are in demand across the country. They developed an act that is filled with fun, dance, and laughter - unlike most rap acts, which often seem angry and stagnant. SALT & PEPA have added a D.J. to the act, "Spinderella" (LaToya).

Judging by SALT & PEPA's swift rise to fame, popularity and demand, they are destined to become the main spices in the lives of music and rap lovers throughout the world. And what combination could be more perfect? Two ladies whose personalities are really quite unique SALT being the cool, calm, genteel lady and PEPA, her fiery and zestful counterpart; blending together in harmony with fresh new sounds to the delight of audiences everywhere.

Platinum records and a Grammy

Hot, Cool & Vicious became the first album by an all-female rap group to earn both gold and platinum certification in the United States. Their later Azor-era album Very Necessary was certified five-times platinum, and "None of Your Business" won the 1995 Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Recording Academy document those milestones.

Recognition across generations

Decades after their breakthrough, the Recording Academy gave Salt-N-Pepa a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. In 2025, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted them in its Musical Influence category, recognizing the lasting reach of their music and influence on women in rap.

Discography

Studio albums

Filmography