Salt-N-Pepa could learn a thing or two from other stars on how to get the most out of longevity.
From Madonna, they could learn the art of reinventing themselves with a dash of controversy — thereby setting off trends that thousands of young girls will imitate. From Will Smith, they could learn the art of how to create a sensation onscreen and watch the dollars flow in on record sales. Or from the Rolling Stones, they could learn the art of how to put on unforgettable, mind-blowing shows that will make you quickly forget that their last great album was long, long ago.
Not that Salt-N-Pepa is a novelty act, because its ascendance in the music industry 13 years ago set the stage for many great female rappers that followed. But its performance at the House of Blues on Thursday lacked the commanding presence of a veteran rap group. With lethargic deliveries, cliched catch phrases, ho-hum choregraphed moves, and wearing lemon-colored, TLC-inspired outfits, the trio could have been just about any up-and-coming rap act.
Comprised of Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandy “Pepa” Denton and deejay Deidre “Spinderella” Roper, the group banked on the popularity of songs such as “Push It,” “Shake Your Thang” and “Whatta Man” to carry the show. What was desperately missing, however, was the passion and hunger that made those songs hits in the first place. Instead, as they nonchalantly sailed through a rapid-fire medley of more recent hits, it appeared as though they were resting on their laurels.
In addition, it seemed as though they were searching — through other artists’ interpretations — for their musical identity. Do they want to be video vixens (not in the spirit of raunchy Lil’ Kim, but maybe on the terms of the sexy sirens of En Vogue)? Do they want to be cute and cool (a la the female rap trio TLC)? Or do they want to be inspiring and spiritual (like Lauryn Hill and Kirk Franklin)?
True, all of these attributes combined would make an awesome act, and at one point in its life Salt-N-Pepa came pretty close. But for the first half of the show only a sprinkling was evident.
The highlight of the night came when Salt-N-Pepa left the stage to give room for Spinderella to show her skills on the turntables. Tossing back her coiled tresses and pushing up her sleeves, Spinderella moved in on the records as though she had been waiting for her moment to shine all along. She deftly scratched in the old-school, New York style, working in a track that brazenly proclaimed just how “bad” she is. And after setting her stage, she proceeded to mix in head-nodding, hooky hits from the likes of Busta Rhymes, L.L. Cool J. and Method Man.
Her solo performance must have inspired Salt-N-Pepa to step up its energy, because the next few songs took on a whole new attitude. But 15 bright minutes in an hourlong show is just too little too late. The sparks ignited on “Hot, Cool & Vicious” and “A Salt with a Deadly Pepa,” the groundbreaking LPs that put the trio on the map, apparently fizzed out a long time ago.
