Salt-N-Pepa, the iconic rap duo, has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) for allegedly pulling their music from streaming platforms in retaliation for trying to reclaim their rights to their master recordings.

The complaint, filed in New York federal court, claims that UMG refused to honor their legal right to reclaim ownership of their master recordings under the U.S. Copyright Act. Salt-N-Pepa notified UMG of their decision in 2022, but the label rejected the notices and subsequently removed their songs, including "Push It," "Shoop," and "Let's Talk About Sex," from major streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

The lawsuit accuses UMG of "conversion" - wrongfully exercising control over their property - and seeks declaratory relief, damages, and a permanent injunction to stop UMG from interfering with their rights. Salt-N-Pepa argue that UMG's actions have effectively frozen their ability to profit from their own work while also diminishing the value of their catalog.

The duo's legal representatives stated, "As they prepare to make history as only the second female hip-hop act ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Salt-N-Pepa are also fighting to reclaim rightful ownership of their iconic, barrier-breaking music. UMG has pulled their songs from all major platforms in the U.S., punishing them for asserting those rights and silencing decades of culture-shifting work."

The lawsuit highlights the duo's enduring influence, noting that their recordings have earned millions in royalties and sync deals over the years and continue to resonate with new generations of fans. Their 1987 hit "Push It" alone has been streamed more than 210 million times on Spotify.

Salt-N-Pepa's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November will make them only the second female hip-hop act to receive the honor, a milestone they say underscores the importance of securing control over their legacy.

The duo's statement continues, "This fight is about more than contracts - it's about legacy, justice, and the future of artist ownership."

A spokesperson for UMG did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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