The legendary hip-hop trio finally entered music’s most hallowed hall, then used its stage to launch a very public, very modern battle for what’s theirs.
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was supposed to be a night of pure, unadulterated celebration. For the pioneering hip-hop trio SALT-N-PEPA, it was that, and so much more. After delivering what critics are calling one of the most electrifying performances of the night, the group—Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “Spinderella” Roper—seized the podium and the global spotlight for a purpose far beyond nostalgia. In a stunning and brave moment, Salt announced they are in a fierce legal battle with Universal Music Group to regain control of their master recordings, revealing their music has been systematically removed from streaming platforms as punishment for their fight .
This wasn’t just an acceptance speech; it was a declaration of war on industry practices that have silenced artists for decades. “We’re in a fight for our masters that rightfully belong to us… After 40 years, our streaming music has been taking down from all streaming platforms because the industry doesn’t want to play fair,” Salt told a cheering audience, proving that the defiant spirit of their 1991 hit “Let’s Talk About Sex” has evolved into a 2025 anthem about “Let’s Talk About Ownership” . In one fell swoop, Salt-N-Pepa transformed their well-deserved honor from a look back at their legacy into a live-fire lesson in artist empowerment, reminding everyone that true icons don’t just make history—they fight to own it.
A Performance for the Ages: More Than a Medley
Before the speeches came the show, and what a show it was. Inducted by a visibly ecstatic Missy Elliott, the trio proved their hits have lost none of their power to make a room explode . Their set was a relentless, joyous trip through the soundtrack of a generation, complete with a full band and a fleet of dancers that turned the Peacock Theater into the world’s coolest block party .
They kicked off with the sex-positive classic “Let’s Talk About Sex,” before bringing out the legendary R&B group En Vogue for a show-stopping rendition of “Whatta Man.” The energy hit a fever pitch with the arrival of the iconic dance duo Kid ‘n Play and their producer Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor for the timeless finale, “Push It,” a performance that undoubtedly rattled the very foundations of the Rock Hall itself . This wasn’t a dusty museum exhibit; it was a vibrant, living testament to their enduring influence on pop culture.
The Throne Room Speech: From Gratitude to Grievance
The shift in tone from the stage to the podium was palpable. After the adrenaline-fueled performance, the group’s speeches were galvanizing . Salt, ever the poised leader, laid out their case with clarity and conviction, framing their legal struggle not as a personal complaint, but as a systemic issue of fairness. The crowd’s supportive cheers signaled a room full of artists and industry insiders who knew this was a battle that resonates far beyond one group’s catalog .
Perhaps the most historically significant moment came from Spinderella, who used her time to cement her own place in history. She proudly noted that her induction makes her the first female DJ ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame . This wasn’t just a personal victory; it was a long-overdue recognition for every woman who has ever commanded the turntables, breaking a final barrier in a ceremony that was all about breaking them.
The Bigger Picture: A Reckoning in Real-Time
Salt-N-Pepa’s public stance is part of a massive, industry-wide shift that has seen legends from Prince to Taylor Swift take control of their life’s work. By choosing the Rock Hall stage—a moment meant to be the ultimate institutional pat on the back—to call out that very institution’s peers, they demonstrated a brilliant understanding of modern leverage. They used the platform not just to accept an award, but to advocate for a cause, showing a new generation of artists what the peak of a career can look like: respected, honored, and still fighting.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has long been criticized for being slow to honor hip-hop artists and women. By inducting Salt-N-Pepa and having their moment dominated by a conversation about artistic ownership and female empowerment, the institution finally caught up to the revolution these women started 40 years ago. They didn’t just enter the Hall of Fame; they stormed it, took the microphone, and reminded the world that the “Push It” spirit is alive, well, and now armed with a lawyer. Long live the queens.
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