Salt-N-Pepa used their platform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night to call out Universal Music Group. They took the stage at the event to accept the Musical Influence Award. While doing so, they argued that their masters rightfully belong to them and accused UMG of punishing them for trying to get them back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we came out, the industry was different,\u201d Salt said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have streaming, we didn\u2019t have social media. We had cassette tapes, turntables and dreams. But even back then, we had to fight to be heard to prove our worth. We\u2019re in a fight right now for our masters that rightfully belong to us. After 40 years, as we celebrate this moment, fans can\u2019t even stream our music. It\u2019s been taken down from all streaming platforms, because the industry still doesn\u2019t want to play fair. Salt \u2019N Pepa have never been afraid of a fight.”<\/p>\n
She continued: \u201cThis is the Influencer award. We have to keep using our influence until the industry honors the creativity the way the audience does\u2014with love, respect and fairness. And that includes streaming platforms, too. Hip-Hop gave us a voice and we\u2019ll keep using it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salt-N-Pepa UMG Lawsuit<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to the fans, the DJs and the women who rhymed in their mirrors and the mighty good men who supported,” she concluded. “I want to apologize to the countless fans who got in trouble for cutting their hair like us and singing our lyrics. We love you. To all the guys who had a crush on us and had our posters on the wall, you\u2019re welcome. And to Pep and Spin, I love you ladies for being together again. It feels so good to make history.\u201d<\/p>\n