Hip-hop icons Salt-N-Pepa appeared on Good Morning America this week to share both a milestone and a mounting legal struggle, offering fans insight into their ongoing lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) as they prepare to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton took a moment during their GMA interview with Robin Roberts to reflect on their trailblazing legacy, but the celebration was tempered by a serious dispute with their former label. In May, the duo filed a lawsuit against UMG, claiming the company has refused to return rights to their classic recordings, rights they argue are legally theirs under U.S. copyright law.
“The record companies have been getting away with this for a lot of years. And it’s time for us to fight for our rights,” Salt said during the interview.
Under the Copyright Act of 1976, artistes have the legal right to reclaim ownership of their work 35 years after signing contracts that transferred their copyrights, what’s known as “termination rights.” Salt-N-Pepa claim they’ve followed the legal procedures to invoke those rights, but UMG is allegedly blocking their efforts.
The label has reportedly removed some of Salt-N-Pepa’s biggest hits from major streaming platforms, a move that the duo says prevents them from re-releasing or promoting their music on their own terms. “Fans are complaining,” Pepa explained. “They’re like, ‘Where’s the music?’”
UMG, in response, is arguing that the works in question were “works made for hire,” a legal classification that would render termination rights inapplicable. Salt-N-Pepa strongly dispute this, claiming full creative ownership over their early recordings and asserting that their contributions were independent of such constraints.
Where’s Spinderella?
Following the interview, fans quickly noticed the absence of DJ Spinderella, the third and longtime member of the group. Addressing the omission, Salt clarified that the lawsuit specifically pertains to contracts signed before Spinderella joined the group.
“When we first started Salt-N-Pepa, it was just the two of us,” she said. “Spinderella supports us. She just understands she wasn’t a part of the lawsuit.”
Despite the group’s past tensions with Spinderella, Salt and Pepa emphasized that they remain united in spirit, even if Spinderella is not involved in the legal proceedings.
A Fight for Legacy
The lawsuit represents more than just a copyright dispute, it’s part of a broader movement by legacy artists to reclaim agency over their art in the digital age. Salt-N-Pepa’s case echoes similar legal battles in the music industry as veteran artists push back against outdated deals that no longer serve them in a streaming-driven marketplace.
With their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on the horizon, the group is simultaneously being celebrated for their impact on music while waging a fight to preserve the very legacy that earned them that recognition.
“That’s Salt-N-Pepa. That’s the group that made the millions and millions and millions of dollars,” one supporter commented. “UMG should do what’s right.”
As the case progresses, Salt-N-Pepa are determined to see it through, not just for themselves, but for the many artists who paved the way and now seek justice decades later.
