Salt-N-Pepa — Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton — helped define hip-hop in the late 1980s and early ’90s. From “Push It” to “Shoop,” their records broke barriers for women in rap, shaping the sound of a generation.
Now, nearly four decades later, the duo’s fight isn’t over beats — it’s over ownership. The pioneering rappers have filed a federal lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG). They’re accusing the label of illegally blocking their efforts to reclaim control of their master recordings.
Under Section 203 of the U.S. Copyright Act, artists can terminate prior contracts and reclaim ownership of their works after 35 years. Salt-N-Pepa say they exercised that right in 2022. However, instead of honoring the law, Universal allegedly responded by removing the group music from streaming services.
The Heart of the Dispute
In their complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Salt-N-Pepa allege that UMG “refused to recognize the validity” of their termination notices. They also claim that Universal’s removal of their albums. Was a “punitive measure” meant to punish them for standing up for their rights?
“Taking our music off streaming doesn’t hurt the label — it hurts the fans,” the group said in a recent statement. “This is about more than money. It’s about legacy, ownership, and respect.”
Among the songs reportedly affected are the hits Push It, Let’s Talk About Sex, and Shoop. While some regions still list these classics, many U.S. listeners have found them missing from major platforms.
Universal’s Defense
UMG, for its part, has pushed back. They are arguing that Salt-N-Pepa’s early recordings were “works made for hire” under their original contracts. The label claims this makes them ineligible for termination under copyright law. The company has also filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Industry lawyers say the outcome could have major implications for other legacy artists seeking to reclaim their music.
“This is part of a larger wave,” said one music attorney familiar with the case. “Artists from the 1980s and ’90s are using these termination rights to take back what’s theirs. Labels are terrified of losing control of valuable catalogs.”
The Bigger Picture
For Salt-N-Pepa, this battle goes beyond contracts — it’s a stand for independence and the cultural value of Black artistry. The duo came up during a time when few women in hip-hop had control over their image, sound, or business. Their lawsuit highlights how the fight for creative ownership continues well into the streaming era.
The case bears resemblance to other recent disputes involving Black artists and labels. Whether it’s Prince’s long-running battle with Warner Bros. or Anita Baker’s fight to regain her masters.
“Black artists built the sound of America,” But as Black Perspective News (BPN) editorial notes, “too often, we don’t own what we built.”