SaltNPepa get candid in Rock Hall speech, say 'the industry doesn't want to play fair' Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY November 9, 2025 at 7:58 PM 8 SaltNPepa has never dodged frankness. Even at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, the hiphop pioneers took a moment from celebrating to put the music industry on blast. Cheryl "Salt" James, along with Sandra "Pepa" Denton and DJ Deidra "Spinderella" Roper, accepted the musical influence award at the ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Los Angeles.
- - Salt-N-Pepa get candid in Rock Hall speech, say 'the industry doesn't want to play fair'
Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY November 9, 2025 at 7:58 PM
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Salt-N-Pepa has never dodged frankness.
Even at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, the hip-hop pioneers took a moment from celebrating to put the music industry on blast.
Cheryl "Salt" James, along with Sandra "Pepa" Denton and DJ Deidra "Spinderella" Roper, accepted the musical influence award at the ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Los Angeles.
But along with dedicating the honor to "every woman who picked up a mic when they told her she couldn't," James used her platform to reinforce the importance of artists owning their work.
"We had cassette tapes, turntables and dreams," James said, "And we are in a fight right now for our masters. After 40 years, as we celebrate this, kids can't even stream our music. It's been taken off every streaming platform because the industry still doesn't want to play fair."
But James added as she leaned into the microphone, "Salt-N-Pepa has never been afraid of a fight."
What you missed: Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa shake Rock Hall of Fame induction with epic 'band of women'
Sandra Denton (aka Pepa, from left), Deidra Roper (DJ Spinderella) and Cheryl James (Salt) perform during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Peacock Theater on Nov. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles.
In May, Salt-N-Pepa sued Universal Music Group, the owner of their masters, saying the label is in violation of the Copyright Act of 1976, which allows musicians to reclaim control of their music after 35 years. The rap group alleges UMG has refused to relinquish ownership.
The New York-formed hip-hop triumvirate, eligible for induction since 2010, is the first female rap act to be installed in the Rock Hall.
Their speech followed a vivacious set including Roper/Spinderella, with whom they reunited in 2022 after a few years of legal wrangling about royalties.
2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Nov. 8 in Los Angeles. See the honorees and performers, starting with Sandra Denton (left) and Cheryl James of Salt-N-Pepa.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Nov. 8 in Los Angeles. See the honorees and performers, starting with Sandra Denton (left) and Cheryl James of Salt-N-Pepa.
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The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Nov. 8 in Los Angeles. See the honorees and performers, starting with Sandra Denton (left) and Cheryl James of Salt-N-Pepa.
">The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Nov. 8 in Los Angeles. See the honorees and performers, starting with Sandra Denton (left) and Cheryl James of Salt-N-Pepa.
" src=https://ift.tt/DTGnoEJ class=caas-img>Big Boi and Andre 3000 reunited onstage for the induction of Outkast.
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Big Boi and Andre 3000 reunited onstage for the induction of Outkast.
">Big Boi and Andre 3000 reunited onstage for the induction of Outkast.
" src=https://ift.tt/iWrCXmA class=caas-img>Tyler, The Creator performs to celebrate Outkast.
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Tyler, The Creator performs to celebrate Outkast.
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" src=https://ift.tt/8ln371x class=caas-img>Doja Cat performs in honor of Outkast.
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Doja Cat performs in honor of Outkast.
">Doja Cat performs in honor of Outkast.
" src=https://ift.tt/58hFrPz class=caas-img>Elton John performs to memorialize Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.
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Elton John performs to memorialize Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.
">Elton John performs to memorialize Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.
" src=https://ift.tt/g459eHt class=caas-img>Flea (left) of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beck participate in a tribute to Sly Stone.
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Flea (left) of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beck participate in a tribute to Sly Stone.
">Flea (left) of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beck participate in a tribute to Sly Stone.
" src=https://ift.tt/Q2bY1p6 class=caas-img>Jennifer Hudson (left) and Maxwell paid tribute to Sly Stone.
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Jennifer Hudson (left) and Maxwell paid tribute to Sly Stone.
">Jennifer Hudson (left) and Maxwell paid tribute to Sly Stone.
" src=https://ift.tt/SMNZi2m class=caas-img>Stevie Wonder performs to celebrate the late Sly Stone.
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Stevie Wonder performs to celebrate the late Sly Stone.
">Stevie Wonder performs to celebrate the late Sly Stone.
" src=https://ift.tt/rbKQRd1 class=caas-img>Jack White speaks during the induction of The White Stripes.
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Jack White speaks during the induction of The White Stripes.
">Jack White speaks during the induction of The White Stripes.
" src=https://ift.tt/Yx3Rpzd class=caas-img>Janelle Monae sang Outkast.
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Janelle Monae sang Outkast.
">Janelle Monae sang Outkast.
" src=https://ift.tt/gslJcM7 class=caas-img>Twenty One Pilots performs during the induction of The White Stripes.
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Twenty One Pilots performs during the induction of The White Stripes.
">Twenty One Pilots performs during the induction of The White Stripes.
" src=https://ift.tt/qJOhpX1 class=caas-img>Teddy Swims, inductee Cyndi Lauper, Chris Robinson and Bryan Adams perform for Joe Cocker's induction.
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Teddy Swims, inductee Cyndi Lauper, Chris Robinson and Bryan Adams perform for Joe Cocker's induction.
">Teddy Swims, inductee Cyndi Lauper, Chris Robinson and Bryan Adams perform for Joe Cocker's induction.
" src=https://ift.tt/7DUtwga class=caas-img>Kim Thayil (from left), Brandi Carlile, Taylor Momsen and Hiro Yamamoto perform to celebrate the induction of Soundgarden.
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Kim Thayil (from left), Brandi Carlile, Taylor Momsen and Hiro Yamamoto perform to celebrate the induction of Soundgarden.
">Kim Thayil (from left), Brandi Carlile, Taylor Momsen and Hiro Yamamoto perform to celebrate the induction of Soundgarden.
" src=https://ift.tt/E4fXJWT class=caas-img>Toni Cornell, daughter of the late Chris Cornell, performs during Soundgarden's induction.
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Toni Cornell, daughter of the late Chris Cornell, performs during Soundgarden's induction.
">Toni Cornell, daughter of the late Chris Cornell, performs during Soundgarden's induction.
" src=https://ift.tt/hYj6mz7 class=caas-img>Nancy Wilson (from left), Toni Cornell and Adrienne Woods perform in honor of Soundgarden.
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Nancy Wilson (from left), Toni Cornell and Adrienne Woods perform in honor of Soundgarden.
">Nancy Wilson (from left), Toni Cornell and Adrienne Woods perform in honor of Soundgarden.
" src=https://ift.tt/DCQsm1e class=caas-img>
1 / 15See the best performance pics from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Nov. 8 in Los Angeles. See the honorees and performers, starting with Sandra Denton (left) and Cheryl James of Salt-N-Pepa.
Spinderella dropped the beat into their 1993 hit "Shoop," as she, Denton and James rolled through the unapologetic candidness of "Let's Talk About Sex." En Vogue joined the party for their collective anthem, "Whatta Man," before Kid 'n Play arrived with their ankle-crossing dance to bounce with Salt-N-Pepa throughout the group's 1986 breakthrough, "Push It."
During her part of the acceptance speech, Roper, the first woman DJ to gain entry into the Rock Hall, pledged her allegiance to her fellow female turntable experts.
"I carry every female DJ who ever dared to dream. Every woman who touched a turntable and said, 'I can do that, too.' This is ours," Roper said. "Respect the DJ!"
Contributing: Kim Willis
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Salt-N-Pepa's Rock Hall speech puts the music industry on blast
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: November 10, 2025 at 12:36AM on Source: MORNING MAG
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