10 Things You Didn’t Know about Sandra Denton
Best known for being 1/3 of the group Salt-N-Pepa (we can’t forget about Spinderella), Sandra Denton, BKA Pepa, is a legend in the rap game. From the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, Salt-N-Pepa was one of the biggest names in hip-hop and they helped put female rappers on the map. They are responsible for classic songs such as “Push It” and “Let’s Talk About Sex”. In 1995, the group even won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. These days, however, she is also known for being a reality TV star. Since 2016, she has been a cast member on the show Growing Up Hip Hop which also features her daughter, son, niece, and soon-to-be son-in-law. Continue reading to learn 10 things you didn’t know about Sandra Denton.
1. She’s Jamaican
New York is the place that’s most commonly associated with Pepa, so many people will be surprised to know that it’s not where she’s originally from. She was actually born in Jamaica. Her family relocated to New York City when she was three years old, but she didn’t move until a few years later.
2. She’s Done Some Acting
Being on reality TV isn’t the only time Pepa has been in front of the camera. She’s also done a good bit of acting over the years. According to her IMDB page, she has 35 acting credits – mostly for films. Some of the movies she’s been in include Joe’s Apartment, The Perfect Holiday, and Sharknado 2: The Second One.
3. She Was Planning On Becoming A Nurse
Even though Pepa fell in love with music at an early age, a career in music wasn’t always something that she was aiming for. Instead, after high school, she decided to enroll at Queensborough Community College and study to become a nurse. It’s unclear how far she got in the program before deciding to leave.
4. She’s An Author
Music is the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they think about Pepa, but that’s not the only thing she’s done over the years. In 2008, she released a memoir called Let’s Talk About Pep. The book detailed many of the ups and downs she went through over the years including sexual assault and domestic violence.
5. She Used To Work With Martin Lawrence Before Either Of Them Were Famous
For the world to be as big as it is, it’s crazy how so many people are connected. During an interview with River Front Times, Pepa revealed that she and Salt knew Martin Lawrence and Kid ‘n Play before any of them were famous. She said they “worked together at Sears in Queens doing telemarketing. It’s so crazy, because we all sat next to each other and Martin would say, “Whoever gets their break first has to put the other one on.” We got our break first, so he used to open up for us with his comedy.”
6. She’s An Entrepreneur
There’s no denying the fact that Pepa is a very creative person, but she’s also all about her business. She has been involved in several business ventures over the years including owning a clothing store in Georgia during the 1990s. We don’t know what plans Pepa has for her next endeavor, but we’re sure she has something cooking.
7. She Isn’t Afraid To Share Her Political Views
There are lots of people in the public eye who try to avoid politics as much as possible. While Pepa isn’t someone who likes to get too political, she also has no problem letting the world know what side she’s on. During the 2020 election, she made it very clear that she supports Joe Biden.
8. She’s A Fan Of Rock Music
Just because Pepa is a rapper doesn’t mean that rap music is the only thing she listens to. When she was a teenager, she was sent to live in Utah with her older sister after a fire at her family’s home in New York. While living in Utah, she started listening to lots of rock music and it played a role in who she became as an artist.
9. Her Music Is On The Soundtracks For Both Space Jam Movies
Over the course of her career, Pepa has done lots of things that have since been considered legendary. Now, there’s another one she can add to the list. Music by Salt-N-Pepa was featured in the original Space Jam movie and in the recent sequel, Space Jam: A New Legacy.
10. Likes To Travel
Pepa has already been the kind of person who likes to live life to the fullest and make as many memories as possible. Traveling has given her the perfect way to do that. Not only has she performed in countries all over the world, but she’s also done a lot of traveling outside of work.
