HERE’S What Happened to Hurby Azor of ‘Salt-N-Pepa’ (2023 Update)

If you know the slightest about the American Hip-Hop scene of the 1980s, chances are that you know about the group, “Salt-N-Pepa (sometimes stylised as Salt ‘N’ Pepa).”  

This group (duo) was formed in New York City in 1985. The group comprised Salt (Born, Cheryl James), Pepa (Born, Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper). 

The duo’s debut album was titled, Hot, Cool & Vicious (released in 1986) sold more than 1 million copies in only the US. This officially made them the first female rap duo/group/act to achieve gold and platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Now, this is where the Haitian musician and Hip-Hop producer in the person of Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor comes in. 

Apart from producing and also being the third member of the iconic “Salt-N-Pepa,” Hurby also produced amazing acts like Kid n Play, Sweet Tee, Dana Dane, Antoinette, and Kwame. Unarguably, Hurby is a legend in the Hip-Hop world.

However, people have been wondering what happened to this legendary and talented act.

This is because of his seemingly sudden hiatus or disappearance from the Hip-Hop scene. In this article, we will discuss in-depth what happened to Hurby and where he retired or went to. 

Actually, the truth remains that Hurby is still pretty much active in both the Hip-Hop and the music scene.

Although in a somewhat unfamiliar capacity—not exactly like the legendary hip-hop producer we have come to know him for. 

Hurby is busy composing new scores for different projects and also scouting/grooming new talents. Hurby is also the co-producer of the autobiographical movie “Salt-N-Pepa.”

Who Really is Hurby Azor?

Hurby Azor was born in Port-de-Paix, Haiti, on September 26, 1964. He comes from a Haitian background but was brought up in New York. Though not much is known about his parents, he has only one sibling named Steve Azor. 

Hurby Azor is a musician and music producer who has been making music since 1982. However, before that, he started as a dancer but quit to venture into music. He plays new jack swing and hip hop, among other kinds of music.

During his music career, he also went by the names Luv Bug and Fingerprints.

Hurby Azor is not someone hip-hop fans should forget, at least. He is well-known for working with the hip-hop and pop groups Salt-n-Pepa, The Invincible and Kid ‘n Play.

Azor wrote and played keyboards and backup vocals in Salt-N-music Pepa’s video for Push It. He also wrote the Let’s Talk About Sex song and others for the group.

In 1985, Salt n’ Pepa made him more well-known; he went on to work with many other musicians.

Hurby went on to make other hit songs like Dana Dane. He helped write and produce Snow’s single Anything for You, which was Jamaica’s best-selling song of 1995.

Hurby Azor has worked in the music industry as a producer, a songwriter, an executive, and a consultant. He has advised record labels on how to find new talent and how to market them.

He has won a number of awards and honours for his work in the music industry, including a Grammy Award in 1995 for his work on the album Very Necessary by Salt-N-Pepa.

Here are some of the songs and artists he has worked with over the years:

SONG	ARTIST	YEAR OF RELEASE
Push It	Salt N Pepa	1987
Shake Your Thang	Salt N Pepa	1988
Twist and Shout	Salt N Pepa featuring Go-Go	1988
Do You Want Me	Salt N Pepa	1991
Jump	Kriss Kross	1992
Come Baby Come	K7	1988
Sex You Up	Color Me Bad	1991
Da Dip	Freak Nasty	1996

What Happened to Hurby; Why Did He Disappear?

The Haitian musician and producer is known for discovering the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa. He met Salt-N-Pepa when he was in Manhattan going to the Center of Media Arts. By then, they were called Super Nature and had already made an album in response to Slick.

Salt-N-Pepa stopped working with Azor in the early 1990s and started working with other producers. 

People have different ideas about why Hurby Azor left Salt-N-Pepa, and the exact reasons still need clarification.

But most people think Azor left the group because he had creative differences and disagreements with Salt-N-Pepa about where their music was going and who was in charge of their career.

Azor was a big part of Salt-N-Pepa’s success because he discovered them and put them on his label.

He also produced their early hits and managed their career. But as the group got more popular, they wanted to be more in charge of their decisions about their music and careers. 

This caused problems between Azor and the group, and in the end, Azor quit his job as their manager and producer.

Hurby is alleged to have dated James, a member of Salt-N-Pepa, around the same time the group was gaining massive attention in the music industry.

However, it is alleged that he cheated during the relationship and ended it in 1989. It is said that a child was conceived, and not much is known about the child and the other woman.

Also, not much is known about his dating life. The cheating scandal has allegedly been linked to being one of the reasons why Azor made an unexpected break out with the Salt-N-Pepa group.

However, the authenticity of this claim has not yet been established as neither of the parties involved has come out openly to talk about it.

Even though they have different styles and sometimes disagree, Azor and Salt-N-Pepa recognize how important the other was to their success and have maintained a friendly relationship over the years.

Hurby Azor – What Happened After Salt-N-Pepa?

After Salt-N-Pepa stopped working with Hurby Azor and started working with other producers, he kept working in the music business, mostly as a producer and a songwriter.

He has worked with a wide range of artists from different genres. After working with Salt-N-Pepa, Hurby Azor did not completely retire from the music scene, he was still very much active. 

Hurby went on to make music for artists like Kid ‘n Play, Rob Base, DJ Rock, and K7, among other renowned musicians. 

He also started his own record label, Luke Records, and worked as a songwriter and music executive. Hurby Azor has also worked in film and TV as a music supervisor and producer for a number of different film projects.

Azor had set up Idol Makers Management and Idol Makers Films when he left Salt-N-Pepa. So that he could focus on video projects for the artists he was managing at the time. Indeed, he delved into other projects that were not directly music but still related to music. 

Hurby Azor Net Worth

Most of Hurby Azor’s money comes from his record producer and songwriter work. He is best known for his work with Salt-N-Pep, a renowned hip-hop group.

Aside from his work with Salt-N-Pepa, Azor has also worked with Kid ‘n Play and Kurtis Blow in the capacities of record producer and songwriter. Hurby also made music for movies and TV shows while working in the film and TV industries.

Azor’s wealth has also come from the businesses he established while still actively being a musician. He helped start the record label Next Plateau Entertainment and has helped build and run some other companies in the music and entertainment industry.

Overall, Hurby Azor’s net worth comes from his successful work as a record producer, songwriter, business owner, and participant in several businesses. His net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2022.

Where Is Hurby Azor and What Is He Up To?

Hurby Azor still works in the music business, mostly as a music producer and songwriter.

Even though he may not be as well-known or in the public eye as he was in the early days of hip-hop, he has continued to work on different projects and collaborate with different artists over the years.

Hurby Azor has also done philanthropic work in the past few years, helping with causes and groups related to education, health, and social justice. 

He has, for example, worked with the Hip Hop Public Health organization, which teaches about health and wellness through music and other media.

He has also been involved in efforts to help youth get an education and become more independent.

Some of his notable recent projects include producing music for television and film, such as the soundtracks for the films Gang of Roses and Soul Men, as well as producing music for various artists.

Conclusion

Hurby Azor is better known as a music producer and songwriter than a singer. He may have sung on some songs or projects, but his main job in the music industry has been to work behind the scenes on things like producing and writing songs.

Azor may have stopped singing or performing so that he could focus on his work as a producer and songwriter. Or, he may have just never wanted to be a solo singer and would have rather worked behind the scenes. 

It’s hard to say why he might have stopped singing or performing without knowing more about his career goals and interests.

Hurby is busy writing new music for various projects and looking for new talent. Hurby also helped make the movie Salt-N-Pepa based on the group’s life.