UMG scored one other decisive authorized victory Thursday when a federal choose dismissed Salt-N-Pepa‘s lawsuit against the music giant, marking the label’s second main courtroom win in opposition to outstanding rap artists in latest months.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote dominated that Hip-Hop pioneers Cheryl James and Sandra Denton failed to ascertain possession of the copyrights they have been making an attempt to reclaim underneath federal regulation. The choose stated Salt-N-Pepa by no means owned the grasp recordings from their 1986 agreements and subsequently couldn’t terminate rights they by no means possessed.

The dismissal represents UMG’s newest courtroom triumph after the label efficiently defended in opposition to Drake‘s defamation lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s explosive diss monitor “Not Like Us” in October 2025.

Salt-N-Pepa sued UMG in May 2025, alleging the label retaliated against their copyright termination efforts by removing classics such as “Push It” and “Shoop” from streaming platforms. The duo argued they adopted federal regulation permitting artists to reclaim music rights after 35 years, however UMG rejected their notices and eliminated their catalog from Spotify and Apple music.

Judge Cote’s ruling emphasised that copyright termination rights solely apply to authors who executed authentic grants.

Since Salt-N-Pepa’s criticism failed to indicate they ever transferred copyrights to anybody else, the courtroom concluded they’d no authorized standing to terminate non-existent transfers.

UMG celebrated the choice with a pointed assertion calling the lawsuit “baseless” and noting they’d tried to resolve the matter privately earlier than litigation started. The label acknowledged that it made a number of efforts to enhance Salt-N-Pepa’s compensation and to make sure fan entry to their music, with none authorized obligation to take action.

Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit had sought declaratory aid, damages, and a everlasting injunction to cease UMG from interfering with their rights.

Their criticism famous that “Push It” alone has generated over 210 million Spotify streams and continues incomes tens of millions in royalties and sync offers.

The dismissal leaves Salt-N-Pepa with out recourse to reclaim their most beneficial recordings, whereas UMG maintains management over a catalog that has generated substantial income for many years. The label expressed willingness to proceed working with the duo regardless of the authorized defeat.

UMG’s spokesperson stated the corporate stays “open and willing to find a resolution” and desires to concentrate on amplifying Salt-N-Pepa’s legacy for future generations.

The music conglomerate’s authorized division has confirmed notably efficient at dismantling artist challenges to their enterprise practices.

In Drake’s case, the courtroom rejected claims that UMG artificially inflated “Not Like Us” via bots and pay-to-play schemes, discovering his proof consisted of unreliable social media commentary.

The label represents each Drake and Kendrick Lamar via totally different divisions, but efficiently argued Drake’s defamation claims have been merely an try to avoid wasting face after shedding his rap battle.

The ruling establishes UMG’s place that artists’ challenges to their catalog possession face vital authorized hurdles, notably when authentic recording agreements lack clear copyright transfers.

Both Salt-N-Pepa and Drake discovered that federal courts require substantial proof to assist claims in opposition to major-label practices. UMG’s authorized crew will seemingly use these victories as precedent when defending in opposition to future artist lawsuits difficult their management over priceless grasp recordings and promotional methods.

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