Salt ‘N Pepa Seize Rock Hall Moment To Call Out UMG: “Fans Can’t Even Stream Our Music”

Cheryl “Salt” James turned a celebratory moment into a powerful statement against corporate control in the music business. The legendary Hip-Hop pioneer, alongside partner Sandra “Pepa” Denton, used their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night (November 8) to directly challenge Universal Music Group over their ongoing legal battle for master recording ownership.

The duo received the Musical Influence Award during the 2025 ceremony, marking a historic achievement as only the second female Hip-Hop act ever inducted into the prestigious institution. However, instead of focusing solely on their groundbreaking career achievements, Salt delivered a pointed message that resonated throughout the venue.

“When we came out, the industry was different,” Salt said. “We didn’t have streaming. We didn’t have social media. We had cassette tapes, turntables and dreams. But even back then, we had to fight to be heard to prove our worth. We’re in a fight right now for our masters that rightfully belong to us. After 40 years, as we celebrate this moment, fans can’t even stream our music. It’s been taken down from all streaming platforms, because the industry still doesn’t want to play fair. Salt ’N Pepa have never been afraid of a fight.

“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 statement comes amid an escalating legal battle that began when the duo filed termination rights notices in 2022, seeking to reclaim ownership of their master recordings. Their lawsuit, filed earlier this year, accuses Universal Music Group of violating the Copyright Act by refusing to return control of their catalog despite their legal right to terminate the original agreements.

According to court documents, Salt-N-Pepa claim UMG has deliberately blocked access to their original master 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 provide high-quality recordings for promotional purposes surrounding their historic achievement.

The timing of their public callout proves particularly strategic. Their decision to address the dispute during such a prestigious moment demonstrates the severity of their frustration with the label’s response to their termination rights claims.

Salt-N-Pepa’s catalog includes some of Hip-Hop’s most influential tracks, including “Push It,” “Shoop,” “Whatta Man” and “Let’s Talk About Sex.” These recordings, created during their partnership with various labels that eventually became part of UMG’s vast catalog, represent decades of artistic achievement and cultural impact.

The duo’s legal team argues that UMG’s actions constitute a deliberate attempt to sabotage their Rock Hall celebration and diminish their ability to capitalize on the increased attention surrounding their induction. They claim the label’s refusal to cooperate has created unnecessary obstacles during what should be a career-defining moment.

Industry observers note that Salt-N-Pepa’s public stance reflects broader tensions between legacy artists and major labels over catalog ownership rights. The Copyright Act allows artists to reclaim their masters after specific time periods, but the process often involves complex legal battles with well-funded corporate entities.

Following Salt’s pointed remarks, the duo performed a medley of their greatest hits, including “Let’s Talk About Sex” and “Push It.”

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The ongoing dispute highlights ongoing challenges faced by pioneering Hip-Hop artists who created valuable catalogs under contracts that may not reflect current industry standards or fair compensation practices. Many of these agreements were negotiated during Hip-Hop’s early commercial development, when the genre’s long-term value wasn’t fully recognized.

UMG has not publicly responded to the Rock Hall ceremony comments, maintaining their previous stance that they are operating within their contractual rights. The label has consistently argued that Salt-N-Pepa’s termination notices don’t meet the specific requirements outlined in copyright law.

Legal experts suggest the case could set important precedents for how termination rights are interpreted and enforced, particularly regarding Hip-Hop recordings from the genre’s formative commercial period. The outcome may influence similar disputes involving other pioneering rap artists seeking to reclaim their catalogs.