Groundbreaking hip-hop duo Salt-N-Pepa have filed a federal lawsuit accusing Universal Music Group (UMG) of blocking their classics from streaming platforms as part of a legal dispute over the ownership of their master recordings.
Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton lodged the suit in May 2025 in U.S. District Court in New York. They point to a section of the U.S. Copyright Act allowing artists to reclaim rights after 35 years, asserting they issued formal termination notices in 2022 to regain control of their early recordings. UMG, they allege, ignored these notices and responded by removing tracks such as Push It, Shoop, and Let’s Talk About Sex from major services like Spotify and Apple Music.
“Rights Held Hostage”
The lawsuit accuses UMG of punitive tactics. It claims the label “has indicated that it will hold Plaintiffs’ rights hostage even if it means tanking the value of Plaintiffs’ music catalogue and depriving their fans of access to their work.”Salt told reporters, “…we’ve done all the things legally to get our copyrights back. But they’re just refusing, so we had to sue them.”
Pepa added, “It just keeps us from re-releasing our music — promotin’ it.”
Universal Music Group responded by filing a motion to dismiss the case. They argue the original agreements designate the recordings as “works made for hire,” meaning the artists aren’t entitled to termination rights. UMG further claims efforts to mediate and improve compensation were made in good faith.
Beyond streaming, the duo alleges UMG is withholding physical two-inch master tapes. Salt-N-Pepa say the company refuses to return these rare, high-quality recordings, sabotaging their upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Denton’s legal team calls this coercive, aimed at pressuring them to abandon their rights claims.