From Queens to rap royalty, Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton have pushed it real good as a trailblazing duo that changed the game for women in hip-hop. In the golden age of the genre that they helped put on the music map, they became, quite simply, the First Ladies of Hip-Hop. Credited for bringing fun fashion and femininity to hip hop, their unique and authentic style made women pay attention. Everyone could relate to these round the way girls!
Before Salt met Pepa, they grew up in separate boroughs in New York City. Pepa — who was born in Jamaica lived in St. Alban, Queens, while Salt resided in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Once hip-hop started happening in the streets — from parks to block parties — they were hooked. Their musical bond began to take shape when the two met as students at Queensborough Community College in Bayside, Queens.
Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor had the idea for the group — first named Super Nature — to do “The Showstopper,” a diss track in response to Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew’s classic “The Show.” After the track dropped in 1985, influential DJ and producer Marley Marl played it on his “Rap Attack” radio show on WBLS. Soon after Deidra “Spinderella” Roper joined the ladies as their official DJ. Raised in Brooklyn, NY and only 16 at the time. Spinderella is considered the most celebrated and iconic female DJ in Hip-Hop.
