Salt-N-Pepa are pushing back against the industry in a major way.
The iconic rap duo filed a federal lawsuit this week in New York, claiming Universal Music Group is refusing to return the rights to their master recordings—despite what the law allows. Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton say they’re simply trying to take back ownership of the music that made them trailblazers, but UMG is standing in the way.
According to court documents, Salt-N-Pepa are invoking the Copyright Act of 1976, which allows artists to terminate previous agreements and regain control of their recordings after several decades. The duo says they filed to terminate their old deal in 2022 but UMG “inexplicably” refused to honor it.
UMG’s response? Pulling Salt-N-Pepa’s music from streaming platforms.
“UMG has indicated that it will hold Plaintiffs’ rights hostage even if it means tanking the value of Plaintiffs’ music catalogue and depriving their fans of access to their work,” the lawsuit states.
The group argues that this exact type of artist-label conflict is why the copyright law exists—to give performers who signed early-career contracts the chance to later claim what’s theirs. Salt-N-Pepa say they’re now legally entitled to own songs from their 1986 debut album Hot, Cool & Vicious, as well as hits like 1987’s “Push It” and 1993’s Very Necessary, which included “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.”
They’re seeking actual and punitive damages, along with a permanent injunction to confirm their rights. The lawsuit estimates their financial losses could easily exceed $1 million.
UMG, meanwhile, argues that the duo doesn’t have a claim. According to letters from the label’s attorneys, James and Denton were allegedly not direct parties in the original 1986 agreement and the music was considered “work for hire”—a classification that would block any attempt to reclaim rights. Salt-N-Pepa strongly dispute that.
While DJ Spinderella was part of the group’s rise, she isn’t involved in the lawsuit and wasn’t a party to the early recording contracts at the center of the dispute.
“Salt-N-Pepa boldly changed the look of rap and hip-hop,” the suit states. “They talked candidly about women’s sexuality and empowerment when such topics were frowned upon, heavily criticized, and called taboo.”
With a Grammy win in 1995 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, the Queens-bred duo continues to cement their legacy. Later this year, they’re set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Musical Influence Award.
