Hot, Cool & Vicious received little attention until a San Francisco DJ named Cameron Paul created a remix of "Push It" (The b-side to "Tramp"). Mr. Paul's remix of "Push It", rereleased as a single, quickly became a national hit and was nominated for a Grammy, pushing both the single and LP to Platinum album status.
They released A Salt With a Deadly Pepa, which was only a minor hit, though it featured "Shake Your Thang". Their third original LP, Blacks Magic, which received generally positive reviews and expanded Salt-N-Pepa's fanbase among hip hop fans using more R&B. It included "Let's Talk About Sex", one of their biggest songs.
Salt-N-Pepa left Next Plateau and the influence of Azor released "Very Necessary", a largely self-produced album in 1993 (see 1993 in music), and it performed very well on the charts, buoyed by "Shoop" and "Whatta Man" (with En Vogue). In 1994, they appeared in the motion picture "Who's The Man?".
The less commercially successful single "None of Your Business," won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 1995. Since Very Necessary, both Salt and Pepa have focused primarily on their acting careers. They released their final album "Brand New" in 1997.
Despite their girl group beginnings, Salt-N-Pepa insist that they wrote many of the lyrics on their first album, and by Blacks Magic they displayed a sex positive, and responsible, feminism, and are often seen as innovators or role models.
In March 1999, Salt-N-Pepa embarked on their final live tour. Pepa (Sandy Denton) married Treach of Naughty By Nature on July 27, 1999. Salt-N-Pepa's greatest-hits album, entitled Salt-N-Pepa: The Best Of was released on January 25, 2000. Treach and Pepa were divorced on July 31, 2001. The group officially disbanded in 2002. Upon disbanding, Salt (Cheryl James) claimed she had become a born-again Christian, and would no longer be involved in hip-hop. However, all that changed when Cheryl announced that she would be releasing her first solo cd "Salt of the Earth" which later changed to "Salt Unrapped".
Cheryl James and Sandy Denton appeared on VH1's Hip Hop Honors in November 2004 without Spinderella. They did not perform.
In March 2005, it was announced that Sandy Denton would join Jose Canseco, Bronson Pinchot, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, Caprice Bourret, Janice Dickinson, and Carey Hart on the 5th season of the VH1 series The Surreal Life.
Salt-N-Pepa reunited on September 22, 2005, and gave their first performance in six years. They sang Whatta Man, along with En Vogue, as a part of VH1's Hip Hop Honors program.
Expression
Salt-N-Pepa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is all about expression
You only live once, and you're not coming back
So express yourself, yeah
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Now Joe wanna be like Bob
Bob got it goin' on with no job
And everything Rob got he got from Robin
And everything she got she got ho-hoppin'
My girl Jilly wanna be like Jackie
Fat rope chains and I think that's wacky
Tom and Dick wanna be like Harry
Little do they know he's bitin' off Barry
Stan was a scam, but Vinnie's legit
Mercedes coupe hometroop with no kit
A businessman with a beeper for a reason
Not like Tim because it's in this season
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Hey Pep, you up next
Yes, I'm Pep and there ain't nobody
Like my body, yes, I'm somebody
No, I'm sorry, I'm-a rock this Mardis Gras
Until the party ends, friends
Yes, I'm blessed, and I know who I am
I express myself on every jam
I'm not a man, but I'm in command
Hot damn, I got an all-girl band
And I wear the gear, yeah, I want to wear it, too
I don't care, dear, go ahead and stare (ooh)
Afraid to be you, livin' in fear boo
Expression is rare, I dare you
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Yo, excuse us while we rap
Go ahead, girls, express yourself!
My party, your party, anytime drop in
Cold hip-hop is always rockin'
Don't you like it when the music drop
Jump, spread out, and stop?
Now bring in the go-go (uh-oh)
Look at how my butt go rock from left to the right
You wanna step to me, groove me
I know you wanna do me
Come on now, fellas, don't fight
At my door they're bum-rushin', they hear the percussion
Sound of my go-go band
I've long ago learned my
Lesson it's all about expression with the real
Salt and Pepa please stand, and
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself and let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
And come on and work that body
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
The song "Expression" by Salt-N-Pepa is a call to action for individuals to embrace their individuality and to express themselves freely, without conforming to societal expectations or pressures. The chorus emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not allowing anyone to dictate what one can or cannot do. The verses provide specific examples of people who are trying to imitate others, and the lyrics suggest that this is a futile effort that only leads to disappointment and lack of fulfillment. Instead, the song encourages listeners to embrace their own unique personalities, abilities, and interests, and to celebrate their individuality through creative expression, especially through music and dance.
Overall, "Expression" is a song about empowerment, self-confidence, and living life on one's own terms. It encourages listeners to break free from conformity and societal norms, and to embrace their own personal style and individuality. This message is especially relevant in today's world, where people often feel pressured to fit in and conform to social norms, and where creativity and individuality are often stifled.
Line by Line Meaning
You know life
Is all about expression
Life is about expressing oneself.
You only live once, and you're not coming back
So express yourself, yeah
You have one life, and it's important to express yourself now.
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Be yourself and no one else.
And let me be me
Don't try to change me, let me be myself.
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Do not limit me or hold me back.
Come on and work your body
Let loose, have fun, and enjoy yourself.
Now Joe wanna be like Bob
Bob got it goin' on with no job
And everything Rob got he got from Robin
And everything she got she got ho-hoppin'
There are people who want to be like others who appear successful, but they don't know the full story and what they had to do to get there.
My girl Jilly wanna be like Jackie
Fat rope chains and I think that's wacky
Tom and Dick wanna be like Harry
Little do they know he's bitin' off Barry
There are people who want to be like someone else because of their appearance or belongings without realizing the truth.
Stan was a scam, but Vinnie's legit
Mercedes coupe hometroop with no kit
A businessman with a beeper for a reason
Not like Tim because it's in this season
Some people may be fake, but there are others who are genuine and successful and don't follow trends.
Yes, I'm Pep and there ain't nobody
Like my body, yes, I'm somebody
No, I'm sorry, I'm-a rock this Mardis Gras
Until the party ends, friends
Pepa is confident in herself and won't let anyone bring her down. She will enjoy the moment and have fun.
Yes, I'm blessed, and I know who I am
I express myself on every jam
I'm not a man, but I'm in command
Hot damn, I got an all-girl band
Pepa is grateful for what she has and knows herself well. She expresses herself through her music and doesn't let gender roles hold her back.
And I wear the gear, yeah, I want to wear it, too
I don't care, dear, go ahead and stare (ooh)
Afraid to be you, livin' in fear boo
Expression is rare, I dare you
Pepa wears what she wants and doesn't care what others think. She encourages others to be themselves and not be afraid to express who they truly are.
Yo, excuse us while we rap
Go ahead, girls, express yourself!
Salt-N-Pepa want to inspire others to express themselves and be confident in who they are.
My party, your party, anytime drop in
Cold hip-hop is always rockin'
Don't you like it when the music drop
Jump, spread out, and stop?
The party is open to everyone, and the music is always lively. They want everyone to enjoy themselves and dance.
Now bring in the go-go (uh-oh)
Look at how my butt go rock from left to the right
You wanna step to me, groove me
I know you wanna do me
They want to bring in the go-go music and show off their dance moves. They want others to dance with them and have fun.
Come on now, fellas, don't fight
At my door they're bum-rushin', they hear the percussion
Sound of my go-go band
I've long ago learned my
Lesson it's all about expression with the real
Salt and Pepa please stand, and
They don't want anyone to fight and ruin the party. They want people to come together and enjoy the music. Salt-N-Pepa are not fake, and they express their true selves through their music.
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
You have to be yourself and not let anyone tell you how to be.
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Do not try to control me or limit me.
Express yourself
Be confident in yourself and express your true self.
Express yourself
Do not hide who you are, let it out and express yourself.
Express yourself
Be unique and let your voice be heard by expressing yourself.
Express yourself
Show who you truly are through your words, actions, and lifestyle.
Express yourself
Be confident in yourself and express your individuality.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHERYL "SALT" JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Beautybizz28
This song is dedicated to my childhood friend Janelle a white girl from a small town in Canada! I was the only black kid at my elementary school. We used to pretend we were Salt N Pepa😂 Anywhere in the world you are Janelle this ones for you always!! Thanks for making this lil Jamaican girl feel less lonely in a new country💗
@Queenalika85
💖
@Housee01
Wat does it matter that she is white.
@forcedtohaveahandle
@Olof Olofersond Read her second sentence
@Housee01
@꧁꧂ the main idea about Janelle is that she is a friend. Take black and white out of the sentence and NOTHING changes because the author's race and Janelles race dont matter.
@sashabertold3731
Just cute!!!
@cantstoptheflow
I would play this song on cassette tape over and over again!!!! I loved this song!!!! This still is a GREAT record!!!!!!
@KailaniASMR
cantstoptheflow 🌟👑❤️ i pressed that rewind button so many times 😂
@Sukiipod
Rewind was pressed here too lol ….
@jleron22
The most influential female hip hop duo of all time, hands down...Sorry kids, it's not the City Girls