Hot, Cool, & Vicious is the 1986 debut album by American rap group Salt-n-Pepa. Released by Next Plateau Records on December 8, 1986, it was one of the first albums to be released by an all-female rap group. It featured the iconic song “Push It” which is still being played on the radio, in the clubs and even in commercials. One third of the group, Sandra “Pepa” Denton shares how her life actually is hot, cool and vicious too.
On Being Cool
“We had fashion errors that became hits,” explains Denton. “We were bold with our colors and tights and being very sexy and the assymmetrical hairstyle. That was an accident that happened — my hair got shaved off on one side. I got a bad perm and had to shave it off on one side. And that became a big hit to this day, with a lot of people — Rihanna,Cassie, etc.. People always say that’s the Salt-N-Pepa look.” Now, that was cool and still cool today.
On Being Hot:
No matter which red carpet you see her on, Pepa is looking incredible nowadays. She lost the extra pounds she gained after the height of her fame and her skin is flawless. She describes how she keeps it all looking hot. “I’m on a diet now, but I love vanilla ice cream, hot fudge with the nuts on top. That’s my downfall. I’m trying to create a “Push It” workout line. So I’ve been training. And I’m trying to fit the part, not just do it because I can. I’ve changed my eating habits. It’s hard but I feel better, lighter, more energy. I’ve seen the results, but dieting is hard and working out is hard. I envy the people who love it.”
On Being Vicious:
Love 93.1 WZAK? Get more! Join the 93.1 WZAK Newsletter
We care about your data. See our privacy policy.
Her deepest scars came from a decade-long romance with a man she only refers to as “Brad” to protect the guilty.
During one of their apocalyptic fights, she writes, “I had the hot iron in my hand and he had a handful of my hair. He grabbed the hand with the iron in it and was pushing [it] toward my face. … He ended up pressing that hot iron against my other arm. I heard my flesh sizzling, and the smell was sickening. I started screaming…
…from the pain. He dropped the iron and I turned to run, and his nail swiped across my eyeball and shredded my cornea.” The incident left her with deep scars and an eye patch.
The couple had another brawl at actor Omar Epps’ house, where, she says, “Brad” threw her through a glass coffee table and tried to push her down the stairs.
One night, when she was hanging out with rappers Kid ‘n Play and a few others, “Play tried to clown me at the table,” she told. “… Everyone started laughing. I got up and grabbed him by his collar and dragged him down the whole length of the table, knocking everybody’s food and drink onto the floor. Play never made fun of me again.”
That’s a little “spice” for you.
The hip-hop legend now is a mother, entrepreneur and trying to push the limits of her dreams. Way to go Pep!
For more articles on your favorite celebrity, click here.
