Salt-N-Pepa's 'Push It' is a fan favorite around the world, but DJ Spinderella recalls how the 'Let's Talk About Sex' crew almost got arrested for performing the Billboard Hot 20 hit 100 at certain venues.
Spinderella recently joined Drink Champs for an episode, during which he claimed that venue executives threatened to arrest Salt-N-Pepa if they performed “Push It”, and this was because they perceived it to be sexually explicit lyrics.
“It wasn't a sex song,” he said. “We were literally talking about dancing on the dance floor. And people took that and took it from the other side, and it really worked for us.”
The former Salt-N-Pepa member continued: “When you're on stage and they tell you, 'If you play this song here, you might get arrested.' Well, there were times when that was almost the case. And somehow, we got to a point where we just had to convince everybody that it's not what you think it is. And this is the truth.”
Sandra “Pepa” Denton expressed similar sentiments when explaining the controversy surrounding “Push It” Page six in 2021. “We were saying 'push it,' they thought we were saying, 'Pussy, very good.' So the police were waiting for us,” he recalled in the publication.
It's not the first time an artist has had problems with venues when it comes to performing certain records. NWA experienced this with their brash protest anthem “F–k Tha Police” at their summer 1989 concert in Detroit and saw the Compton's crew captured.
“Push It” was released as part of Salt-N-Pepa's Hot, Cool & Vicious album in 1986. The track became a single in 1987 and reached No. 19 on the Hot 100 in '88. Hot, Cool & Vicious is the first female album to earn gold and platinum certifications from the RIAA.
Elsewhere in the interview, DJ Spinderella gave some context behind her split from the band in 2019, which was because she didn't feel respected. “You're just growing up. You just reach a point where things will not be tolerated. And respect must be mutual. And when the respect is mutual, we can move and do anything,” he added. “But when respect is not mutual, then what are you here for? The bag. That doesn't last because I can get a bag without it.”
Check out DJ Spinderella's Drink Champs episode below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/dj-spinderella-salt-n-pepa-warned-arrest-push-it-1235766800/
