Push It – Salt-N-Pepa | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#19) & R&B (#28); 1988
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton first hit the charts as Super Nature with The Show Stoppa, an answer song to Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew’s The Show (#4 R&B; 1985).
Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor co-wrote Show Stoppa with the girls, and when the song succeeded, took over as their manager. The release of Hot, Cool & Vicious found them billed as Salt-N-Pepa, with DJ Pamela Green in a featured role.
The second single from HC&V, a remake of Otis & Carla’s smash Tramp, was backed with another track from the album, Push It. Radio deejay Cameron Paul remixed Push It, listeners responded positively, and soon Push It was a single itself.
With success came accolades and the industry mavens nominated them for a Best Rap Performance Grammy. The fans voted with their dollars, pushing Hot, Cool & Vicious to platinum sales territory.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Hurby Azor
Lyrics Written by:
- Hurby Azor
- Ray Davies
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).