Cheryl “Salt” James turned a celebratory second into a strong assertion in opposition to company management within the music enterprise. The legendary Hip-Hop pioneer, alongside associate Sandra “Pepa” Denton, used their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday evening (November 8) to straight problem Universal music Group over their ongoing authorized battle for grasp recording possession.

The duo acquired the Musical Influence Award through the 2025 ceremony, marking a historic achievement as solely the second feminine Hip-Hop act ever inducted into the celebrated establishment. However, as an alternative of focusing solely on their groundbreaking profession achievements, Salt delivered a pointed message that resonated all through the venue.

“When we came out, the industry was different,” Salt mentioned. “We didn’t have streaming. We didn’t have social media. We had cassette tapes, turntables and goals. But even again then, we needed to battle to be heard to show our value. 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 trade nonetheless doesn’t wish to play honest. Salt ’N Pepa have by no means been afraid of a battle.

“This is the Influencer award. We have to keep using our influence until the industry honors the creativity the way the audience does—with love, respect and fairness. And that includes streaming platforms, too. Hip-Hop gave us a voice and we’ll keep using it.”

She continued, “Thank you to the fans, the DJs and the women who rhymed in their mirrors and the mighty good men who supported. I want to apologize to the countless fans who got in trouble for cutting their hair like us and singing our lyrics. We love you. To all the guys who had a crush on us and had our posters on the wall, you’re welcome. And to Pep and Spin, I love you ladies for being together again. It feels so good to make history.”

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The assertion comes amid an escalating authorized battle that started when the duo filed termination rights notices in 2022, looking for to reclaim possession of their grasp recordings. Their lawsuit, filed earlier this 12 months, accuses Universal 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.

According to court docket paperwork, Salt-N-Pepa declare UMG has intentionally blocked entry to their authentic grasp recordings, preventing them from properly celebrating their Rock Hall induction. The duo alleges the label has made their music unavailable on streaming platforms and refused to supply high-quality recordings for promotional functions surrounding their historic achievement.

The timing of their public callout proves significantly strategic. Their resolution 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 contains a few of Hip-Hop’s most influential tracks, together with “Push It,” “Shoop,” “Whatta Man” and “Let’s Talk About sex.” These recordings, created throughout their partnership with varied labels that finally grew to become a part of UMG’s huge catalog, signify many years of inventive achievement and cultural influence.

The duo’s authorized group argues that UMG’s actions represent a deliberate try to sabotage their Rock Hall celebration and diminish their potential 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.

Industry observers observe 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 Talk About sex” and “Push It.”

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The ongoing dispute highlights ongoing challenges confronted by pioneering Hip-Hop artists who created useful catalogs below contracts that will not replicate present trade requirements or honest compensation practices. Many of those agreements have 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 Hall 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 regulation.

Legal consultants counsel the case may set essential precedents for the way termination rights are interpreted and enforced, significantly concerning Hip-Hop recordings from the style’s formative business interval. The end result might affect comparable disputes involving different pioneering rap artists looking for to reclaim their catalogs.

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