Search - Salt-N-Pepa :: Hot Cool & Vicious

Hot,, Cool, & Vicious debut album from the ladies.

Jenny J.J.I. | That Lives in Carolinas | 05/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I was young I use to write down all the words to my favorite songs on this album by rewinding the cassette playa numerous times till I got it down pack.



This is one of the first albums to be released by an all-female rap group, Hot, Cool & Vicious is paced by its opening track, "Push It," one of the first rap songs to hit number one on the dance singles charts. Considering how little Salt-n-Pepa actually rap on "Push It," which is all about its instrumental hook, they maintain a surprisingly strong presence over most of Hot, Cool & Vicious.



Written and produced by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor and recorded by the original Salt-N-Pepa line up -- Cheryl "Salt" James, Sandy "Pepa" Denton and Latoya "Spinderella" Hanson (later replaced by Deidre "Spinderella" Roper) -- HOT, COOL & VICIOUS made Salt-N-Pepa the first female rappers to earn a Grammy nomination.



No, they aren't technical virtuosos on the mic, but their fairly basic raps are carried off with brash confidence and enthusiasm. Some of the other key tracks borrow ideas from outside sources: the single "Tramp" is a rap remake of the Otis & Carla soul classic, and "The Show Stopper" is an answer record to Doug E. Fresh's "The Show." The duo's sass comes across very well on "My Mic Sounds Nice" and "I'll Take Your Man," and they're equally assertive on "Chick on the Side."



If I would have to choose my favorite party tracks would be "Chick on the Side," "My Mike Sounds Nice," "Tramp" and "Push It," which topped the pop charts in 1987.

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