Those of us of a certain age remember the 1991 hit “Let’s Talk About Sex” by legendary hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa. While the track definitely ruffled a few conservative feathers, despite its title, it wasn’t about sex, per se. Instead, at the root of the catchy bop was censorship and it was eventually remixed to address the AIDS epidemic, sparking a mainstream conversation on the importance of safe sex.
More than 30 years later, the song is still making its social mark with a new cover by multifaceted artist Braxton Cook and Jersey-born, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Maiya Blaney. As part of volume two of the Broken Glass series, Cook and Blaney keep the same energy and some of the original lyrics, while Braxton’s saxophone adds a more jazzy spin.
The Broken Glass compilation series brings together artists of all genres and genders to offer their take on songs from the ’90s that were originally performed by women. The brainchild of the Nettwerk Music Group as part of their Goodwerks social impact initiative, these projects are meant as a response to the current socio-political climate.
In a statement on Bandcamp, they note, “It is a continuation of the cultural legacy begun with Nettwerk's founding of Lilith Fair in the ’90s and launches a new mission that we intend to carry forward, supporting reproductive rights.” A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Keep Our Clinics campaign, the Abortion Care Network’s latest effort to protect access to care and support independent clinics across the country.
Listen to Braxton Cook and Maiya Blaney’s cover of Salt-n-Pepa’s “Let’s Talk About Sex” below, and be sure to support this important work via Bandcamp.
