The infamous dis (or response) records craze of the 1980s blew up the careers of several female MCs. For example, it was a response record that launched the careers of rap's longest-enduring female act, Salt-N-Pepa. Cheryl James and Sandy Denton met at Queensborough College; both also worked at a Sears department store, where they met Herby "Luv Bug" Azor. Still a student himself, Azor was making a record for a school project, so his new friends recorded "The Showstopper (Is Stupid Fresh)," an answer to Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's "The Show."

Azor took the song to a small label, Pop Art, which signed the group under the name Super Nature. Later Azor me Pamela Greene, and brought her on as DJ Spinderella. After changing their name to Salt-N-Pepa, their 1986 debut album, Hot Cool & Vicious, went double platinum after two years, making the group the first female act to achieve the honor. After the first album, Greene left the group, and Dee Dee Roper took her place as Spinderella.

In 1987, S-N-P released "Push It," which went gold, as did their albums,
"A Salt with a Deadly Pepa" and "Black's Magic." Their 1993 release, "Very Necessary" has sold over 5 million to date, buoyed by the smash singles "Whatta Man," featuring En Vogue, and "Shoop."

The Show - Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick

Showstoppa feat. Salt-N-Pepa