Salt-N-Pepa, the pioneering, disruptive female hip-hop duo—and first female rappers to go gold and platinum—consists of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton. They are now deep into a legal fight with Universal Music Group (UMG) after the removal of their music from streaming platforms. The pair aired their frustrations in an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts. This discussion was featured on ABC Good Morning America on August 4th, 2025.
And clearly, James and Denton were frustrated at the discussion. They argued that UMG’s actions by removing some of their most popular and notable hits affects their ability to re-release, market, promote and overall showcase the music to the fullest. They make a case that this inflationary situation is uniquely terrifying. These violations stem from UMG’s failure to return them their “termination rights,” which would allow them to reclaim the copyright to their master recordings after a certain amount of time has passed.
As Cheryl James of Salt-n-Pepa reminded everyone, it’s ridiculous to be tied to a contract from 1985 four decades later. She stated, “When you’re an artist, in the beginning, you sign a contract saying that the copyrights will revert back to you after 35 years.” She inquired with them and learned that they’d done everything they’d needed to do legally to reclaim their copyrights. Even so, UMG still refuses to grant their request, leaving them no choice but to litigate.
Sandra Denton (Salt-n-Pepa) seconded James’s feelings, making clear just how vital this fight is to their control over their work. She remarked, “It’s the law. That’s what it really boils down to. It’s the law.” The two are strong believers in copyright law. They’re not going down without a fight, their rights at stake.
Salt-N-Pepa’s music transcends cultural boundaries, and their lasting impact as women pioneers in hip-hop has inspired generations of artists. Denton reflected on their journey, stating, “It’s an amazing feeling because … it’s for your music, not just one hit.” She added, “It’s about your journey, your legacy, what you have done, you know, the influence that you had … 40 years and we’re still here.”
Both artists understand that their genuineness is the secret ingredient to their long-term survival. James remarked, “Authenticity, especially in art, I think, leads to longevity. And I feel like that’s a big part of why people took to Salt-N-Pepa because we are authentic.”
While they definitely want to prevail in this legal challenge, James and Denton are seeking to do more than win. James stated, “And I wanna inspire women, inspire and encourage women to be themselves, to go for it, you know? And to not be afraid to knock down barriers in the workplace, in the world, whatever you’re doing. Just be strong.”
Beyond that, it opens up a world of larger discussions about copyright abuse and control in the music industry.
