On Oct. 12, 1993, Salt-N-Pepa released their fourth studio album, Very Necessary. The project solidified what Salt-N-Pepa had been doing for years — delivering their brand of feminism in a male-dominated industry.

Salt, Pepa, Spinderella, and Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor wrote and produced the album, which featured radio favorites like "Shoop," "Whatta Man" featuring En Vogue, and "None of Your Business." Though they'd experienced major success previously, the album marked another level of accomplishment for the group, selling over seven million copies worldwide (five in the U.S.), and peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200. With Very Necessary, they became the first female rap act (solo or group) to have a multi-platinum selling album.

The album came during a shift in Hip-Hop when the music was getting grittier and more misogynistic, and Very Necessary was propped up as an answer to the direction the industry seemed to be swinging in, a mega-successful pop rap album that showcased another side of the genre, one where women were empowered in all facets for their lives.

In an interview with Arsenio Hall, Salt talked about the idea that the group's massive success was linked to their physical appearance. "I’ve heard people say we’ve gotten over on our looks," Salt said. "First of all, I ain’t know I look that good. To get over for six years on your looks? We’ve been around for awhile and if it’s just looks, then that’s messed up.”

A career-marker for the hugely successful group, Very Necessary ended up being just that.