James starred in The Salt-N-Pepa Show, a reality TV series focusing on reforming the group; which aired on the VH1 network in 2008.

[citation needed] After forming a friendship with Denton, James' then-boyfriend and co-worker Hurby Azor approached the pair and asked them to record a rap for a class project.

With Azor as their manager, James and Denton then formed the group[10] "Super Nature" (which was eventually changed to "Salt N' Pepa") and were joined by Latoya Hanson, who was replaced by Deidra Roper in 1987.

They released five studio albums: Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986), A Salt with a Deadly Pepa (1988), Blacks' Magic (1990), Very Necessary (1993), and Brand New (1997).

In an interview James stated she considers herself a feminist "in a way", emphasizing the need for women to avoid complete emotional and financial dependence on men.