Hot Rod! The Rowdy One

During the 80’s and early 90s, there was a genre of rappers known as “Happy Rappers”. Their lyrics weren’t about guns and drugs, but about having fun. Partying and hanging out with friends were the topics corporate America could make a profit from, radio could play on the daytime drive and parents could have their children listen to. One of the movements at the forefront of the “Happy Rappers” brigade was Next Plateau Entertainment led by Herby “Luv” Bug.

After Herby gave us Kid ‘n Play, he continued his magic of forming duos with the creation of Salt N Pepa. SNP (Salt-n-Pepa) had much success when they released “The Showstopper.” Greater success came when they dropped their first album, Hot, Cool and Vicious in 1986 and A Salt With a Deadly Pepa in 1988. However, it wasn’t until the 1990 release of Blacks’ Magic that Salt-n-Pepa not only solidified themselves as sex symbols like Marilyn Monroe, but proponents of feminine self-confidence like Gloria Steinem and made you aware of your heritage like Public Enemy, while doing it over hype beats with dope lyrics.

The first track from the album was “Expression” in which the group urged people to do just that; express themselves and not let anyone hold them back. While the vibe was geared mostly towards women, the lyrics were universal no matter the gender. That song was followed up with the single “Do You Want Me” which showcased the group’s maturity in terms of love and relationships. From there, the group went straight into “Let’s Talk about Sex” which took a frank and honest look at sex in the wake of the rising AIDS epidemic. The success from Let’s Talk About Sex prompted MTV to make an AIDS awareness commercial titled Let’s Talk About AIDS with help from the group. “Independent” was one of the final singles from the album and once again, the duo was as straight forward with discussion about personal responsibility as they were with all of their other songs on the album. They let the world know that they could hold their own without the help of a man. There was plenty of “bra burning” as feminists everywhere rejoiced when this song was played.

Blacks’ Magic was also a coming out party for the duo as well. By 1990, the group was older and Pepa was the first member of the group to become a mother.  There was a sense of maturity in their lyrics with songs like “Negro Wit’ an Ego” where they dispelled the myths of their race and their collaboration with Kid n’ Play titled “I Don’t Know” where a couple decides it’s best to go their separate ways. With R&B hooks and heavy bass dropping beats that became the norm in the late 90’s and early 2000’s in rap songs, Blacks’ Magic was ahead of its time and was also the soundtrack of the woman of the 90’s.

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