Salt 'n' Pepa's here and we're in effect! Indeed! The first ladies of hip-hop, Salt 'n' Pepa, are a group that I have always adored. Fresh and funky, the ladies knew how to release great tunes, so it is with great excitement that this week we celebrate their career with a Top 5 list of their best songs.
Winners of five Grammy awards, the ladies were signed and releasing hits long before the major record labels thought that hip-hop could sell records. Always unafraid to speak their minds, through the 80s and 90s, the ladies produced some kick arse tracks that so many of us love to revisit often. They were pioneers of their genre, and such a big inspiration for future ladies in hip-hop,
It was exciting to go back and listen to their back catalogue and choose their best 5 tracks. As always, I had to miss some tracks I really do love. Their single from their greatest hits album, "The Brick Song vs Gitty Up" is an awesome one, as is "None of Your Business" from the brilliant "Very Necessary" album. The one track though that I am seriously bummed about excluding is, "You Showed Me" - what an amazing song this is.
So what are your favourite Salt 'n' Pepa tunes? Tell me in the comments section below. But for now, here's my countdown of my Top 5 Salt 'n' Pepa tunes.
5 - Shoop
This track really does make you smile, and guaranteed so many of us know every single word of this song. The ladies show how good they are with verses, "Wanna thank your mother for a butt like that", and then the chorus is so damn simple but catchy. I always loved the idea that these ladies took control of their sexuality and weren't afraid to turn the tables and make men the object of their naughty affections. Such a funky, funky track.
4 - Do You Want Me?
This is such a great track, and one I play a lot. The beat is so joyous and wonderful, and a very different feel for the girls - not being as hard as some of their other tracks. Lyrically it's great, dealing with a lady who doesn't want to rush into sex in a new relationship. The chorus is seriously catchy and the ladies verses are great. My favourite part is the guy with his clearly frustrated verses. Clever stuff.
3 - Push It
Iconic may be an understatement. When I was in early high school and heard this song for the first time, it was like nothing I had heard before and I loved it. Rap was so new to this fat white kid from Australia and it was a revelation. Like "Shoop", we all know the lyrics and just have to recite them loudly whenever this song comes on, and for a song from 1987/8, it comes on a lot! The ladies are rap royalty and this song proves it.
2 - Whatta Man (featuring En Vogue)
This may be a cover of a classic 60s soul track, but most people hear the name and think of this amazing Salt 'n' Pepa track that features the wondrous En Vogue - and what a perfect pairing they were. I loved both groups independently, so when they teamed up, my head almost exploded! En Vogue sound SO good on the chorus and the verses from Salt 'n' Pepa are perfection. Using the right level of pop culture references, this song has aged so very well and is still as good today as it was back in 1995. A brilliant tune.
1 - Let's Talk About Sex
How I love this song! I have always been a fan of songs with great messages that also happen to be good tunes, and this fits that description perfectly. Talking about sex, condoms and AIDS in a time it was needed, especially when it was still so very taboo; was an impressive undertaking. Plus the song was amazing, the beat, provided by a sample from the great song, "I'll Take You There", is great to dance to. You can see so many future songs were influenced by "Let's Talk About Sex", including TLC's "Waterfalls". This is a brilliant tune, a song I played solid for months, and there could be no other tune at number one on my list of Salt 'n' Pepa tunes.
Remember to tell us your favourite Salt 'n' Pepa tunes in the comments section below.
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