*Salt‑N‑Pepa have taken Universal Music Group to federal court, accusing the company of illegally blocking their effort to own the master recordings that powered their rise to Grammy‑winning hip-hop icons.
Cheryl ‘Salt’ James and Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton argue that the Copyright Act of 1976 allows musicians to terminate copyright transfers and reclaim ownership 35 years after the transfer was made. They filed termination notices in 2022, but the duo says UMG has refused to honor them and has yanked their music from streaming platforms, “maliciously punishing” fans, the Toronto Star reports.
“UMG has indicated that it will hold Plaintiffs’ rights hostage even if it means tanking the value of Plaintiffs’ music catalogue,” the complaint states.
The rappers want a court order confirming their control of early hits, 1986’s “Hot, Cool & Vicious,” the 1987 breakthrough single “Push It,” and, beginning in 2026, the multi‑platinum 1993 album “Very Necessary.” They also seek damages exceeding $1 million.
UMG counters that the disputed tracks were “works made for hire,” a designation that would make termination impossible. The label prefers mediation but insists James and Denton were not parties to the original 1986 contracts.
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Salt‑N‑Pepa, the first female rap group to win a Grammy, contend that the law exists to protect artists who signed away rights “at the beginning of their careers” before their cultural impact was clear.
“Salt-N-Pepa boldly changed the look of rap and hip-hop,” the lawsuit says. “They were not afraid to talk about sex and to share their thoughts about men. Their sound recordings ‘Let’s Talk About Sex’ and ‘None of Your Business,’ for example, were huge hits. They talked candidly about women’s sexuality and empowerment when such topics were frowned upon, heavily criticized, and called taboo.”
Salt‑N‑Pepa are set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year as recipients of the prestigious Musical Influence Award.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton (Salt-N-Pepa) Deemed Safety Risk – REMOVED from Southwest Flight in Vegas | WATCH
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