Salt-N-Pepa

Salt-N-Pepa (sometimes stylized as Salt 'N' Pepa) is an American hip hop group formed in New York City in 1985, that is composed of Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper). Their debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986), sold more than 1 million copies in the US, making them the first female rap act to receive both a gold and platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Its lead single, "Push It", which was released in 1987 as the B-side to their single "Tramp", peaked within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Salt-N-Pepa's second album, A Salt with a Deadly Pepa (1988), was certified gold by the RIAA. The trio's third album, Blacks' Magic (1990), featured the singles "Expression" and "Let's Talk About Sex". Their fourth album, Very Necessary (1993), sold more than 5 million copies domestically (7 million worldwide), and remained the highest-selling rap album by a female act (solo or group) until 1998. The album included the hit singles "Shoop" and "Whatta Man" with En Vogue. They won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their song "None of Your Business", making them one of the first female rap acts to win a Grammy Award, along with Queen Latifah, who won later during the same ceremony. In 2021, they won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Salt-N-Pepa were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025 for Musical Influence.
Salt-N-Pepa have sold more than 15 million records worldwide, making them one of the best selling rap acts of all time. Their success in rap and hip hop culture has earned them the honorific title "The First Ladies of Rap".