Salt-N-Pepa, the pioneering hip-hop duo consisting of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, have initiated legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG). Their goal? To regain control over their master recordings.
The lawsuit invokes the Copyright Act of 1976. This act allows artists to terminate previous agreements and reclaim ownership of their recordings after a certain period.
According to the lawsuit, James and Denton filed termination notices in 2022. They allege UMG has refused to honor their rights. They also claim that their music was removed from streaming platforms, hindering their ability to license work to other parties.
The duo contends that UMG’s actions have significantly harmed the value of their catalog and deprived fans of access to their music.
UMG maintains that the recordings in question were “works made for hire,” a classification that would prevent the artists from reclaiming rights under the Copyright Act. Salt-N-Pepa dispute this characterization, claiming their original contracts do not support UMG’s claim.
The lawsuit seeks fees that exceed $1 million. They also look for a permanent injunction affirming their ownership rights. This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions in the music industry, where legacy artists often confront challenges in regaining control over their work amid outdated contract terms.
Salt-N-Pepa were the first female rap group to win a Grammy and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
They are set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.
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