My fellow Gen-Xers will get this, back in 1988 the song Push It by Salt-N-Pepa took the country by storm. It was everywhere. It was HUGE! And by 1990 Salt-N-Pepper were pop culture Queens. So…
During my senior year of college, I wanted to make a rap record. I was working in a studio in New York, but my classes were getting in the way of my dreams.
There was one particular class on Fridays that prevented me from taking a three-day weekend to record. This class, called Pop Culture in America, was taught by a hippie professor who sported a "flavor saver" under his chin and spoke in a groovy manner.
I had to do something. I really wanted to record this album. So…
I approached the professor after the second class and said, "I have an opportunity that no one else in this class has as it relates to pop culture. I'm making a record, but I can only record in New York on Fridays. So, I was wondering, if I bring in Salt-N-Pepa to talk to the class, could I skip all of the classes? After all, they're the ones who told us to 'Push It' and that we 'Shoop' if we wanna."
"You're going to bring Salt-N-Pepa to my classroom?"
"That's the plan. They'll be here to talk about how they 'Got the Groove' and became 'Expression' themselves through their music."
"Far out," he said. "If you do that, you don't have to attend another class and you'll get an A."
Because of that, I stopped attending the class altogether. Every Thursday I'd leave campus, head to New York and record all day Friday and Saturday. It was perfect.
Eventually I worked up the courage to ask Salt-N-Pepper to come down to American University. Our relationship had grown over the last couple of months because we recorded at the same studio. They said yes, they’d love to help me out.
As the final week approached, I had Salt-N-Pepa scheduled to visit. However, just three days before the big event, they canceled due to a conflicting show. I was in a panic – I hadn't been to class, and the professor had been teasing a surprise guest to the class all semester. I was in trouble.
I reached out to my friend DJ Kool from DC, who had some hits of his own at the time. Although his iconic track Let Me Clear My Throat wasn't out yet, he had other popular records. I asked the professor if I could bring this "street kid from DC" instead of Salt-N-Pepa, and he agreed.
In the end, DJ Kool came to the class, and knocked it out of the park. But the professor gave me a B+.
Sometimes a little bit of bartering and creative problem-solving can go a long way in achieving your goals – even if it means trading Salt-N-Pepa for a B-plus.
I guess you could say I had to 'Do You' and 'Shake Your Thang' to make it happen!
