What's Happening?
Salt-N-Pepa were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Missy Elliott leading the tribute. During their acceptance speech, Cheryl 'Salt' James and Sandra 'Pepa' Denton addressed their ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG) over
ownership of their master recordings. The duo filed a federal lawsuit earlier this year, alleging UMG violated the Copyright Act by refusing to relinquish rights to their catalog more than 35 years after its release. Salt-N-Pepa filed notices of copyright termination in 2022, targeting albums released between 1986 and 1993. The lawsuit claims UMG’s Next Plateau and London Records have refused to honor those notices, prompting the artists to seek judicial intervention.
Why It's Important?
The speech marked a rare moment where artists used the Hall of Fame stage to spotlight industry disputes, highlighting the broader push for legacy acts to reclaim control of their intellectual property. Salt-N-Pepa’s remarks added urgency to a legal fight that touches on artist compensation, streaming access, and cultural preservation—especially for women in hip-hop whose contributions have historically been undervalued. The duo is seeking damages that could exceed $1 million and a permanent injunction affirming their rights to the disputed recordings.
What's Next?
The lawsuit is pending in federal court. If successful, Salt-N-Pepa’s challenge could set a precedent for legacy artists seeking to reclaim their master recordings under the Copyright Act. The duo has expressed openness to a 'mutually acceptable resolution' with UMG, which has made repeated efforts to resolve the matter, including offers of mediation and direct compensation.
Beyond the Headlines
Salt-N-Pepa’s legal battle underscores the ongoing struggle for artists to maintain control over their work in an industry that often prioritizes corporate interests. Their fight is emblematic of a larger movement among artists to reclaim their rights and ensure fair compensation for their creative contributions.
