Women in the music industry have long shared stories of how the industry has influenced their decisions, sometimes leading to extreme measures such as body modifications and even abortions. Recently, Cheryl James, aka Salt from the iconic rap group Salt-N-Pepa, spoke candidly about her own experiences in the industry, in an emotional interview with her groupmate.
In a sneak preview posted on YouTube, the duo sat down with popular TV talk show host Tamron Hall to discuss the challenges women face in the music industry, including motherhood. James revealed that she faced pressure from someone she chose not to name to have an abortion. She emphasized that women need to know that they are capable of handling both a career and motherhood if that’s what they choose. She also expressed how having her child ultimately changed her life for the better, saying, “Like, I needed that lil’ baby in my life, you know?” and that her child was the “best thing” she has done.
Salt-N-Pepa has broken barriers for women in hip-hop, with their 1986 debut album Hot, Cool, Vicious selling over a million copies and featuring their most popular single “Push It.” The song has become a pop culture phenomenon and is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. They also won a Grammy Award.
Their success has inspired women to enter the industry on their own terms. Tamron celebrated the duo’s achievements, noting that they have balanced a successful career with motherhood. They recently appeared at the 50th edition of the Grammy Awards to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, cementing their place as one of the founding faces of women in hip-hop.
