Hip-hop legends Salt-N-Pepa added one more monumental honor to their mantle on November 8, 2025. The iconic trio received the Musical Influence Award at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Both Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton were on hand to accept the prestigious honor. DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper) also attended, becoming the first female DJ inducted into the Hall of Fame. The formerly estranged member reunited with the group for this historic moment.
Salt-N-Pepa Fight for Master Recordings During Acceptance Speech
James used her time at the podium to address a critical industry issue. “This is for every woman who picked up a mic when they told her she couldn’t,” she declared. She then revealed that fans can’t even stream their music currently.
“It’s been taken down from all streaming platforms because the industry still doesn’t want to play fair,” James explained. She emphasized that Salt-N-Pepa have never been afraid of a fight. The group is actively fighting for the rights to its master recordings.
Missy Elliott Presents Award and Honors the Trio’s Foundation
Presenting Salt-N-Pepa with their Musical Influence Award was Missy Elliott. Elliott became the first female rapper to be nominated and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. She delivered an impassioned speech embodying an electric preacher.
“The reason that you even know Missy Elliott’s name is because of Salt, Pepa, and Spinderella,” Elliott said. “These three women are the bricklayers to the foundation that holds hip-hop together.” She wore a bejeweled letterman inspired by the trio’s iconic look.
Electrifying Performance Showcases Their Greatest Hits
Salt-N-Pepa took the stage to perform a medley of their biggest songs. They kicked off with the iconic lines from “My Mic Sounds Nice” into “Shoop.” The energy in the venue was electric as they commanded the stage.
Then they performed their 1991 smash hit in front of massive digital banners. A line of male dancers captured the boldness of their provocative music. The performance reminded everyone why they’re considered hip-hop royalty.
DJ Spinderella Shines and En Vogue Joins for “Whatta Man”
DJ Spinderella got a moment of solo shine to showcase her scratching skills. En Vogue then strutted onstage to perform their 1993 collaboration. Pepa modernized her verse by swapping in “Barack” for “Arnold” in one memorable line.
The collaboration between the groups brought the audience to their feet. Cyndi Lauper, sitting in the audience, gladly obliged when asked to dance. For the grand finale, original producer Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor joined the trio onstage.
Breaking Barriers as First Female Rap Act to Go Gold and Platinum
Salt-N-Pepa were one of the most influential and successful hip-hop acts of their era. They became the first female rap act to earn gold and platinum status. Their debut album, Hot, Cool, & Vicious, sold over a million copies.
They scored additional hits throughout the late Eighties and early Nineties. The duo finally cracked the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993. Back-to-back singles reached Numbers Four and Three, respectively, on the charts.
Very Necessary Album Solidified Their Multiplatinum Success
Both major hits appeared on Salt-N-Pepa’s multiplatinum album Very Necessary. The album also featured their Grammy-winning track. This project cemented their status as hip-hop pioneers and cultural icons.
The trio’s success paved the way for countless female rappers who followed. Their boldness in addressing topics like sexuality and independence broke new ground. They proved that women could dominate in a male-dominated genre.
Salt-N-Pepa Celebrate 40 Years of Relevance and Hard Work
“We are rock & roll,” Salt told reporters prior to their induction. “It’s all one thing. It’s more about what you accomplished and not so much about the genre.” She emphasized that they worked hard and deserve this recognition.
“Thank you for keeping us so relevant and alive for 40 years,” Pepa added. “This is a big moment that solidified and defined all the hard work we’ve pushed through.” Their gratitude to fans was evident throughout the evening.
Previous Accolades Include Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Salt-N-Pepa have received plenty of accolades and honors over their lengthy career. They earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2021. They also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022.
James told Billboard that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was basically “the last big one” for the group. Many people are saying the honor is “long overdue.” However, James believes “it’s right on time” for where they are in their careers.
Using Their Influence to Advocate for Fair Treatment
James made it clear that the group will keep using their influence to fight. “We have to keep using our influence until the industry honors creativity the way the audience does,” she stated. That means demanding love, respect, and fairness from the industry.
Her speech highlighted ongoing issues with streaming platforms and artist compensation. Both Denton and Roper gave individual speeches thanking their friends, family, genre, and audience. However, James’s message about fighting for their masters resonated most powerfully with the crowd.
