A US federal judge has dealt a significant blow to pioneering hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa, dismissing their high-profile lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over the ownership of their master recordings.
Court Rules Recordings Were "Works Made for Hire"
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, 8th January 2026, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote sided with the music industry giant. The judge concluded that the Grammy-winning duo, comprised of Cheryl "Salt" James and Sandra "Pepa" Denton, never owned the copyrights to their iconic sound recordings in the first place. Consequently, they had no rights to transfer or subsequently reclaim.
"Plaintiffs can only terminate copyright transfers that they executed," Judge Cote stated in her decision. "None of the contracts identified by Plaintiffs indicate that they ever owned the Master Tapes." The court upheld UMG's argument that the recordings were created as "works made for hire," a legal designation that typically prevents artists from terminating agreements and reclaiming rights under copyright law.
A Decades-Long Legacy Entangled in Legal Dispute
The Queens, New York duo formed in 1985 and were later joined by DJ Spinderella. They signed with Next Plateau Records, releasing their groundbreaking debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious, in 1986. This independent label now falls under Universal's Republic label umbrella. The group's catalogue includes era-defining hits like 1987's "Push It" and 1993's "Shoop."
Their influence on music is undeniable. In 1995, they became the first female rap group to win a Grammy, and they received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. Most recently, in November 2025, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Influence Award, following Missy Elliott.
Legal Battle Highlights Industry-Wide Artist Rights Issues
Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit was rooted in a provision of the 1976 Copyright Act, which allows artists to terminate past agreements and reclaim ownership of their work after 35 years. The group contended their original agreements with Next Plateau clarified the recordings were not "works for hire."
Despite the legal setback, UMG indicated a desire for an amicable path forward. In a statement, the corporation said, "Even with the court’s complete rejection of their claims, we remain open and willing to find a resolution... and turn the page so we can focus our efforts on working together to amplify Salt-N-Pepa’s legacy for generations to come."
Representatives for Salt-N-Pepa did not immediately comment on the ruling. The case underscores the ongoing and complex struggle between recording artists and major labels over control of lucrative back catalogues and artistic legacies.
