Trailblazing rap duo Salt-N-Pepa are taking a bold stand for ownership of their legacy. Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton have filed a federal lawsuit in New York against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of unlawfully holding onto the rights to their master recordings—including era-defining hits like “Push It,” “Shoop,” and “Whatta Man.”
The lawsuit, according to AP, filed under the Copyright Act of 1976, asserts that artists can reclaim ownership of their recordings after a set period. According to the suit, James and Denton legally moved to terminate their prior agreements in 2022 and are now entitled to full rights to their earliest works, including their 1986 debut album Hot, Cool & Vicious. Additional songs from their catalog are also expected to become reclaimable by 2026.
UMG has allegedly refused to comply, prompting the removal of Salt-N-Pepa’s music from streaming services—something the duo calls a “malicious punishment” for asserting their rights. They are now seeking both monetary damages and a permanent injunction affirming their legal control over the recordings.
This legal battle unfolds during a pivotal year for Salt-N-Pepa, who are set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025 with the prestigious Musical Influence Award, recognizing their barrier-breaking impact on hip hop and popular music.
Formed in Queens, New York in 1985, the duo made history in 1995 as the first female rap group to win a Grammy Award and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2021. Known for their frank discussions of sexuality, feminism, and empowerment, their music helped redefine how women expressed themselves in hip hop.
What many fans may not realize is that both James and Denton also share Jamaican heritage, a cultural influence that infused their sound and style with Caribbean flair—from dancehall rhythms to bold fashion that resonated in Jamaican communities and the wider Black diaspora.
