Salt-N-Pepa are going head-to-head with Universal Music Group, demanding their music rights back after discovering much of their catalog was pulled from streaming platforms last week. According to legal documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton are suing UMG, insisting the label has failed to honor the termination of their contract as allowed under Section 203 of the American Copyright Act.
This section gives artists the right to reclaim ownership of their sound recordings after a certain period. Salt-N-Pepa argue that UMG has refused to cooperate with them since 2002. While they admit the issue hasn’t caused direct financial losses yet, they claim UMG’s actions have stopped them from pursuing new licensing deals elsewhere.
The lawsuit alleges that UMG’s refusal to release the rights is blocking Salt-N-Pepa from fully controlling, promoting, and earning revenue from their own music. The hip hop icons are asking for at least $1 million in damages, along with a court order declaring their rights and permanently preventing UMG from distributing their music without a proper license.
“Push It” and other hits helped define an era, and Salt-N-Pepa are clearly ready to reclaim what they believe is rightfully theirs. Their catalog has long had commercial appeal—just think back to their viral Geico ad a decade ago. It’s easy to see why they’d want more freedom to take advantage of similar opportunities.
UMG is already facing legal heat from other artists, including Drake and Limp Bizkit, over separate disputes. As for Salt-N-Pepa’s case, no comment has been made yet from the label. But one thing is clear: the pioneering rap duo is not backing down in their fight for control.
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