Salt-N-Pepa, a New York City-based hip hop group formed in 1985, made history as the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status with their debut album, "Hot, Cool & Vicious." The album, released in 1986, sold over a million copies and featured the hit single "Push It," which initially served as the B-side to their single "Tramp" before climbing the charts to reach the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987.
1984: The Genesis of "The Showstopper"
The song "The Showstopper" was created in 1984 as a class project by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor, featuring vocals from Cheryl James and Sandra Denton, who would later become Salt-N-Pepa.
September 1985: Signing with Next Plateau Records
Salt-N-Pepa signed with Next Plateau Records in September 1985, marking a significant step in their professional journey.
1985: Salt-N-Pepa forms in New York City
The group Salt-N-Pepa was formed in New York City in 1985.
December 1986: Debut Album and Lineup Changes
December 1986 saw the release of Salt-N-Pepa's debut album, "Hot, Cool & Vicious." The group also experienced lineup changes during this time, with Deidra Roper, known as Spinderella, joining as the DJ.
1986: Release of Debut Album "Hot, Cool & Vicious"
Salt-N-Pepa released their debut album, "Hot, Cool & Vicious," in 1986, marking a significant milestone in their career.
1987: DJ Spinderella Joins Salt-N-Pepa
DJ Spinderella became Salt-N-Pepa's DJ in 1987.
1987: Arrival of Spinderella
Deidra Roper, known as Spinderella, joined Salt-N-Pepa as the DJ in early 1987, solidifying the group's lineup.
1987: "Push It" Peaks on Billboard Charts
The single "Push It" by Salt-N-Pepa, originally the B-side to "Tramp," climbed the Billboard Hot 100 charts, peaking within the top 20 in 1987.
July 26, 1988: Release of "A Salt with a Deadly Pepa"
Salt-N-Pepa released their second album, "A Salt with a Deadly Pepa," on July 26, 1988, featuring the hit "Shake Your Thang."
1988: "A Salt with a Deadly Pepa" Certified Gold
Salt-N-Pepa's second album, "A Salt with a Deadly Pepa," was certified gold by the RIAA in 1988.
March 19, 1990: "Blacks' Magic" Released, Personal Milestones, and Production Shifts
Salt-N-Pepa's third album, "Blacks' Magic," was released on March 19, 1990. This period marked personal milestones for the group, including Pepa becoming a mother. The album also saw a shift in production, with the group collaborating with various producers.
1990: Release of "Black's Magic" Album
Salt-N-Pepa's third album, "Black's Magic," featuring the singles "Expression" and "Let's Talk About Sex," was released in 1990.
1992: Appearance in the Film "Stay Tuned"
Salt-N-Pepa made an appearance in the film "Stay Tuned" in 1992, performing the song "Start Me Up."
1992: "Expression" Charts in the UK
The Salt-N-Pepa single "Expression" achieved chart success in the UK in 1992, reaching number 23.
October 12, 1993: Release of "Very Necessary"
Salt-N-Pepa released their fourth studio album, "Very Necessary," on October 12, 1993.
1993: Record-Breaking Success with "Very Necessary"
"Very Necessary," Salt-N-Pepa's fourth album, was released in 1993 and achieved remarkable success, selling over 7 million copies worldwide and becoming the highest-selling rap album by a female act at the time.
1994: Co-Headline "The Very Necessary 12 Play Tour"
Salt-N-Pepa embarked on "The Very Necessary 12 Play Tour" in 1994, co-headlining with R. Kelly.
1995: Historic Grammy Win for "None of Your Business"
Salt-N-Pepa created history in 1995 by winning a Grammy Award for their song "None of Your Business," becoming the first female rap act to achieve this honor.
1995: Grammy Award Win for "None of Your Business"
Salt-N-Pepa made history in 1995 by winning the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their song "None of Your Business."
1996: Pepa's Film Appearance and Relationship
Pepa of Salt-N-Pepa co-starred in the film "Joe's Apartment" in 1996. During this time, she was also romantically involved with Treach from the rap group Naughty By Nature.
October 21, 1997: Brand New Album Release
On October 21, 1997, Salt-N-Pepa released their album "Brand New," their first album after separating from their former producer, Azor.
March 1999: Salt-N-Pepa Embarks on Tour
Salt-N-Pepa began a tour in March 1999.
January 25, 2000: The Best of Salt-N-Pepa Release
Salt-N-Pepa released their greatest hits album, "The Best of Salt-N-Pepa", in Europe on January 25, 2000.
July 31, 2001: Pepa and Treach's Divorce
Pepa and Treach of Naughty by Nature divorced on July 31, 2001, after two years of marriage.
2002: Salt-N-Pepa Disbands
Salt-N-Pepa officially disbanded in 2002 after Salt decided to leave the music industry.
September 2005: Salt and Pepa Appear on VH1's Hip Hop Honors
Salt and Pepa made an appearance on VH1's Hip Hop Honors in September 2005.
October 14, 2007: The Salt-N-Pepa Show Premieres
"The Salt-N-Pepa Show", a reality series following Pepa and Salt, debuted on VH1 on October 14, 2007.
2007: Salt-N-Pepa Reunites
Salt-N-Pepa reunited in 2007 after a five-year disbandment.
2008: Pepa Releases Autobiography and Stars in Reality Series
Pepa released her autobiography, "Let's Talk About Pep", and starred in the accompanying VH1 reality series, "Let's Talk About Pep", in 2008.
2008: Spinderella's Daughter Appears on MTV
Spinderella's daughter, whose father is former NBA player Kenny Anderson, appeared on MTV's "My Super Sweet Sixteen" in 2008.
May 9, 2009: Ladies of the 80s Concert
Salt-N-Pepa performed at the Ladies of the 80s concert in Honolulu on May 9, 2009.
February 2010: Performance at Good Vibrations Festival
Salt-N-Pepa performed at the Good Vibrations Festival in Australia in February 2010.
August 29, 2010: Performance at South West Four Festival
Salt-N-Pepa performed at the South West Four Festival in Clapham Common, London on August 29, 2010.
October 12, 2010: I Am Hip Hop Award
Salt-N-Pepa received the I Am Hip Hop Award at the BET Hip Hop Awards on October 12, 2010.
February 4, 2011: Salt-N-Pepa's Legends of Hip Hop Tour Begins
Salt-N-Pepa's Legends of Hip Hop Tour, featuring other hip hop acts, commenced on February 4, 2011.
November 21, 2011: Appearance on The X Factor Australia
Salt-N-Pepa performed "Push It" on The X Factor Australia with contestant Johnny Ruffo on November 21, 2011.
July 30, 2012: Performance at Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series
Salt-N-Pepa opened for Public Enemy at the Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series in Brooklyn, New York on July 30, 2012.
November 2014: Geico Insurance Commercial
Salt-N-Pepa appeared in a Geico insurance commercial, performing "Push It", in November 2014.
December 18, 2015: Performance on The Wendy Williams Show
Salt-N-Pepa performed "Push It" on The Wendy Williams Show on December 18, 2015.
February 12, 2016: "Shoop" Featured in Deadpool
Salt-N-Pepa's song "Shoop" was included in the Marvel movie "Deadpool", released on February 12, 2016.
July 21, 2016: Performance at Westerner Days
Salt-N-Pepa performed at Westerner Days in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada on July 21, 2016.
2017: I Love the 90's Tour
Salt-N-Pepa participated in the I Love the 90's tour throughout 2017 and 2018.
October 16, 2018: Appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Salt-N-Pepa, with Kid N Play, appeared on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" on October 16, 2018.
March 2019: Salt-N-Pepa Lifetime Biopic Announced
Lifetime announced a biographical miniseries about Salt-N-Pepa, with Queen Latifah, Salt, and Pepa as executive producers, in March 2019.
May 2, 2019: Mixtape Tour Begins; DJ Spinderella's Departure Announced
The Mixtape Tour, featuring Salt-N-Pepa, began on May 2, 2019. DJ Spinderella announced her departure from the group in January of that year.
January 23, 2021: Lifetime biopic release
On January 23, 2021, Lifetime premiered a biopic about Salt-N-Pepa, directed by Mario Van Peebles. The film starred GG Townson as Salt, Laila Odom as Pepa, and Monique Jasmine Paul as DJ Spinderella, with Salt and Pepa themselves serving as executive producers. A "Special Edition" of the film was also released on this date.
2021: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2021, Salt-N-Pepa received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to their enduring impact on the music industry.
November 4, 2022: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
On November 4, 2022, Salt-N-Pepa, including DJ Spinderella, reunited to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located near the Amoeba Music store on Hollywood Boulevard.