Iconic hip-hop duo Salt-N-Pepa are making headlines offstage with a high-stakes legal fight against Universal Music Group (UMG).
Just months before their historic induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—making them only the second female hip-hop act to earn this honor—the legendary pair is suing UMG for allegedly pulling their hits like “Push It” and “Shoop” from streaming platforms in retaliation.
Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton claim they exercised their legal right to reclaim ownership of their master recordings under U.S. copyright law, but UMG refused and retaliated by removing their music from major services like Spotify and Apple Music.
Their lawsuit argues that UMG’s actions not only silence their cultural impact but also block them from profiting off their trailblazing catalog.
With millions of streams and enduring influence, Salt-N-Pepa are fighting for more than just royalties—they’re fighting for their legacy and artist rights in an industry often stacked against performers.
As fans eagerly anticipate their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame moment this fall, the duo’s battle highlights ongoing tensions between artists and labels in the streaming era.
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