While I must say I love the cover art and leather on this album cover A SALT WITH A DEADLY PEPA is truly lacking a couple of things. Interestingly enough this album did spawn "Shake Your Thang" which was a success on R&B charts and urban radio and one of Salt N Pepa's greatest singles off all time as far as I'm concerned. Aside from that there isnt much more to this album. The single "Get Up Everybody" is Salt n Pepa doing their version of hardcore hip hop and is also a classic but "Twist and Shout" which in my opinion was ridiculous for them to even record wasnt the best creative decision for the ladies. Several traks like "Lets Get Paid" "Soul Power" and "Let da Rhythim Run" are pleasant for the lyrical playfullness and listening to the ladies finish off each others rhymes in Run DMC form but it gets old after awhile. Thank God they recorded "Shake Your Thang" cause if it wasnt for that single we probably wouldnt even remember this album.

When "Expressions" the lead off single from Blacks Magic begans the first thing you notice is the confident and husky voice off Salt as she proclaims. " You Know Life, Is All About Expression. You only live once and you're not coming back so express yourself yeah." That youthful female confidence is the backdrop and the spine of this entire album. On "Doper Than Dope" the ladies a lyrically playfull over a infectious breakbeat and hypnotic bassline. On "Swift" Salt takes the mic and goes solo and delivers one of the best breathy and hardcore lyrical performances found on any Salt N Pepa CD ever. "Start the Party" which should have been the second single is a fun and energetic track with a groovin bass line while "Lets Talk About Sex" finds the group at a creative peak with lyrical content and subject matter. The staple singers sample used is the bridge of the song is quite innovative as well. "I dont Know" which features Play fron Kid N Play and its sophisticated cissy sample is a highlight as the ladies engage in a battle of the sexes which is more of a conversation that turns into an argurment on wax instead of a rap. Then theres "Independent" featuring vocals by Sybil on which Salt n Pepa boldly remind the fellas "I wear the pants you wear the dress punk." Blacks Magic has so many great moments that there isnt really one bad track on the album. This album is a must have for Salt N Pepa lovers.

After a four year hiatus following smash LP Very Necessary,In 1997 raps premier ladies finally returned to the fickle world of hip hop with Brand New, a sleek and sexy album of R&B tinged hip hop tracks that tackle everything from domestic violence to men who cheat. Stand outs are "Knock Knock" on which the ladies give walking papers to the cheaters. Salt n pepas version on 70's soul. The male song chorus backdrops and guitar riffs are so buttery it could have been a complete R&B track. Lyrically best is "Friends" with Queen Latifah. Say Oooh is typical sexy but classy S-N-P. While not a total mis step Brand new is not a smash because it lacks a true lead off blockbuster single. "R U Ready" and "Gitty Up" just dont cut it after smash singles like "Whatta Man" and "Shoop." The ladies also seem to be mimicking rapper Foxy Brown a little too much. Was it really necessary for the three girls dubbed as the Queens from Queens to copy young chicks for whom they paved the way for. The ladies also seem to be dabbling in too many genres going from hip hop to rock and rock with guest star Cheryl Crow to Gospel with Kirk Franklin and Sounds of Blackness which in some respects seems to weaken the potency of the album.