#VitalFactz: Happy Birthday - Cheryl "Salt" James

Happy Birthday @DaOnlySalt Cheryl "Salt" James. Born March 28, 1966. James, who is originally from Brooklyn, New York is one-third of the female hip Hop duo Salt-N-Pepa. James enrolled in a nursing course at Queensborough Community College, where she met Queens native Sandra "Pepa" Denton. Together they formed a duo by the name of Super Nature, then later renamed to Salt-N-Pepa. James' then boyfriend Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor became their manager, then later their main producer. In 1985 they signed to Next Plateau Entertainment. In December of 1986 they released their debut studio album Hot, Cool & Vicious. This album was Certified Platinum off the strength of the hits Tramp & Push It, thus making Salt-N-Pepa the first female Rap Act to reach Platinum Status. In 1986 they released their 2nd album A Salt with a Deadly Pepa, which included the hits Shake Your Thang as well as Get Up Everybody (Get Up) & Twist & Shout. This album reached Gold Status, thus making the duo (with the addition of DJ Spinderella) the first female rap act to get a Gold Plaque as well. In 1990 the trio returned to Platinum Status with the release of their 3rd album Black's Magic This featured the Platinum selling hit Expression as well as Do You Want Me & The Gold Selling Let's Talk About Sex. In 1993 the duo would release what would turn out to be their most successful album to date. Their fourth studio Album Very Necessary sold over 5 million copies in the US & included Gold Selling hit Shoop as well as the Platinum hit Whatta Man. This would be the group's final album on the label that was their home from 1985 as well as the final album produced by Hurby Luv Bug. In 1997 they signed to Red Ant Entertainment & released their final album to date Brand New. Despite having very little promotion for the album, it manged to reach Gold Status. The group disbanded in 2002 but reunited in 2005 & have remained together ever since.