Hip-Hop legends Salt-N-Pepa (Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton), have filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) to reclaim ownership of their master recordings, including hits like “Push It” and “Shoop.”
Citing the Copyright Act of 1976, the duo argues they have the right to terminate grants of copyright ownership after a certain period, allowing them to take back control of their music. They claim that their 1986 debut album and early works should revert to them immediately.
UMG allegedly retaliated by removing Salt-N-Pepa’s music from streaming platforms, a move the group sees as an attempt to harm their legacy and cut off access to their fans.
In response, Salt-N-Pepa filed a lawsuit accusing UMG of holding their rights “hostage” and attempting to devalue their music. The group alleges that UMG’s actions were meant to punish them for asserting their rights.
The monolith that is UMG argues that the disputed recordings were “works made for hire,” placing copyright ownership with the label. They claim that Salt-N-Pepa were not directly involved in the agreement related to their early releases, invalidating their ownership claims.
Salt-N-Pepa, known for their contributions to Hip-Hop culture, have received numerous accolades and are nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They are seeking damages from UMG that could exceed $1 million for lost revenue and punitive compensation.
