Lifetime has found its cast for its authorized Salt-N-Pepa biopic limited series.
The main cast of the untitled series will include G.G. Townson as Cheryl "Salt" James and Laila Odom as Sandra "Pepa" Denton. Monique Paul will play the group's DJ, Deidra Roper aka DJ Spinderella. Other cast members include Jermel Howard as rapper Treach, who married Pepa in 1999. The two divorced in 2001. Cleveland Berto will play music producer Hurby Azor.
The biopic will chronicle the group's rise in the hip hop industry as part of a revolution that challenged how women rappers were seen in the industry. The series will also look at their friendship and how the relationship was put to the test by their careers.
Here's the official description: The miniseries Salt-N-Pepa follows the story of Queensborough Community College students Cheryl "Salt" James and Sandra "Pepa" Denton as they fall into the world of rap and hip hop, after recording for a song for their friend Hurby Azor. Salt-N-Pepa made a huge impact in hip hop by being one of the first all-female rap groups, changing the look of hip hop and unafraid to talk about sex and share their thoughts on men. Salt-N-Pepa became the first female rap act to go platinum and experienced ground-breaking success with multiple awards, including a Grammy, paving the way for all female rappers to follow. The miniseries will also feature their greatest hits like Let's Talk About Sex, What a Man, Shoop and Push It, among others.
The project produced by Sony Pictures Television and directed by Mario Van Peebles. Abdul Williams (The Bobby Brown Story, The New Edition Story) is the scriptwriter. Robert Teitel from Slate Street Productions is an executive producer. The biopic is also executive produced by Cheryl James, Sandra Denton, Shakim Compere, Queen Latifah and is co-executive produced by James "Jimmy" Maynes and Hurby Azor.
The series will air on Lifetime in 2020.
