Salt ‘N Pepa Seize Rock Corridor Induction Second To Name Out UMG
Cheryl “Salt” James turned a celebratory second into a robust assertion in opposition to company management within the music enterprise. The legendary Hip-Hop pioneer, alongside associate Sandra “Pepa” Denton, used their Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night time (November 8) to straight problem Common Music Group over their ongoing authorized battle for grasp recording possession.
The duo obtained the Musical Affect Award through the 2025 ceremony, marking a historic achievement as solely the second feminine Hip-Hop act ever inducted into the celebrated establishment. Nevertheless, as an alternative of focusing solely on their groundbreaking profession achievements, Salt delivered a pointed message that resonated all through the venue.
“Once we got here out, the business was completely different,” Salt mentioned. “We didn’t have streaming. We didn’t have social media. We had cassette tapes, turntables and goals. However even again then, we needed to battle to be heard to show our price. We’re in a battle proper now for our masters that rightfully belong to us. After 40 years, as we rejoice this second, followers can’t even stream our music. It’s been taken down from all streaming platforms, as a result of the business nonetheless doesn’t wish to play honest. Salt ’N Pepa have by no means been afraid of a battle.
“That is the Influencer award. We have now to maintain utilizing our affect till the business honors the creativity the best way the viewers does—with love, respect and equity. And that features streaming platforms, too. Hip-Hop gave us a voice and we’ll hold utilizing it.”
She continued, “Thanks to the followers, the DJs and the ladies who rhymed of their mirrors and the mighty good males who supported. I wish to apologize to the numerous followers who received in bother for chopping their hair like us and singing our lyrics. We love you. To all the blokes who had a crush on us and had our posters on the wall, you’re welcome. And to Pep and Spin, I like you girls for being collectively once more. It feels so good to make historical past.”
The assertion comes amid an escalating authorized battle that started when the duo filed termination rights notices in 2022, searching for to reclaim possession of their grasp recordings. Their lawsuit, filed earlier this yr, accuses Common Music Group of violating the Copyright Act by refusing to return management of their catalog regardless of their authorized proper to terminate the unique agreements.
In line with court docket paperwork, Salt-N-Pepa declare UMG has intentionally blocked entry to their unique grasp recordings, stopping them from correctly celebrating their Rock Corridor induction. The duo alleges the label has made their music unavailable on streaming platforms and refused to offer high-quality recordings for promotional functions surrounding their historic achievement.
The timing of their public callout proves notably strategic. Their determination to deal with the dispute throughout such a prestigious second demonstrates the severity of their frustration with the label’s response to their termination rights claims.
Salt-N-Pepa’s catalog consists of a few of Hip-Hop’s most influential tracks, together with “Push It,” “Shoop,” “Whatta Man” and “Let’s Speak About Intercourse.” These recordings, created throughout their partnership with numerous labels that finally grew to become a part of UMG’s huge catalog, symbolize many years of inventive achievement and cultural influence.
The duo’s authorized staff argues that UMG’s actions represent a deliberate try to sabotage their Rock Corridor celebration and diminish their capacity to capitalize on the elevated consideration surrounding their induction. They declare the label’s refusal to cooperate has created pointless obstacles throughout what needs to be a career-defining second.
Trade observers be aware that Salt-N-Pepa’s public stance displays broader tensions between legacy artists and main labels over catalog possession rights. The Copyright Act permits artists to reclaim their masters after particular time durations, however the course of typically includes advanced authorized battles with well-funded company entities.
Following Salt’s pointed remarks, the duo carried out a medley of their best hits, together with “Let’s Speak About Intercourse” and “Push It.”
The continuing dispute highlights ongoing challenges confronted by pioneering Hip-Hop artists who created useful catalogs underneath contracts that won’t mirror present business requirements or honest compensation practices. Many of those agreements had been negotiated throughout Hip-Hop’s early business improvement, when the style’s long-term worth wasn’t totally acknowledged.
UMG has not publicly responded to the Rock Corridor ceremony feedback, sustaining their earlier stance that they’re working inside their contractual rights. The label has constantly argued that Salt-N-Pepa’s termination notices don’t meet the particular necessities outlined in copyright legislation.
Authorized specialists counsel the case might set vital precedents for the way termination rights are interpreted and enforced, notably relating to Hip-Hop recordings from the style’s formative business interval. The end result could affect related disputes involving different pioneering rap artists searching for to reclaim their catalogs.
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