Forty years ago, Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, better known as Salt-N-Pepa, shattered barriers and carved a path for women in the male-dominated world of hip-hop. As the first female rap group to achieve platinum status, they delivered timeless anthems like “Push It,” leaving an indelible mark on music history. Now, decades later, they are once again at the forefront of a pivotal movement—this time, a legal battle to empower artists and uphold their rights in an industry that has long prioritized corporations.
The duo has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), the powerful record label they claim is illegally blocking their access to their own music. In a candid interview on "Good Morning America" with Robin Roberts, James and Denton revealed the core of their legal fight: their right to reclaim copyright to their original recordings. This right is legally enshrined in federal law, granting artists the ability to terminate a copyright grant after a period of 35 years.
"When you’re an artist, in the beginning, you sign a contract saying that the copyrights will revert back to you after 35 years,” James explained to Roberts. "And we’ve done all the things legally to get our copyrights back. But they’re just refusing, so we had to sue them." Denton added with conviction, "It’s the law. That’s what it really boils down to. It’s the law.”
The situation has escalated with Salt-N-Pepa alleging that UMG is actively removing some of their most famous hits from streaming services, a move they believe is intended to pressure them and diminish their leverage. Denton speculates that the immense "worth" of their classics, like the unforgettable "Push It," is what motivates the record label to hold on to the rights. "They wanna keep it. They wanna hold onto it. And they’re tryin’ to fight us," she stated. "So, obviously, they understand what’s the worth of that."
UMG, for its part, has responded with a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The label argues that Salt-N-Pepa's claims are invalid because they were not the direct signatories of the original recording contracts. This legal maneuvering seeks to exploit a contractual nuance, but James and Denton remain steadfast in their position. They believe this is a fight that extends far beyond their individual case, holding a mirror up to an industry-wide power imbalance.
For Salt-N-Pepa, this lawsuit is not merely about financial gain; it's about legacy and justice. They hope their actions will inspire a new generation of artists to understand and fight for their rights, ensuring that creativity and artistic ownership are respected. As James passionately declared, "We are the artists and the law is to protect the artist." This sentiment echoes a foundational principle of the creative world and highlights the broader stakes in this legal showdown. The outcome of their battle could set a powerful precedent, shaping the future landscape of artist-label relationships for years to come.
