In a powerful night celebrating innovators who shaped the sound of modern music, hip-hop legends Salt-N-Pepa — Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper were officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame under the Musical Influence category. Held at the Peacock Theater, the ceremony highlighted the trio’s groundbreaking impact on hip-hop, culture, and the rise of women in rap.
For Salt-N-Pepa, the moment was both historic and deeply emotional. After years of public tension, the full group reunited on stage in a joyful, full-circle celebration that honored their decades of influence. They were introduced by hip-hop icon Missy Elliott, who praised them for breaking barriers and paving the way for generations of female rappers who followed.
The trio delivered a high-energy medley of their biggest hits, thrilling the crowd with performances of “Shoop,” “Let’s Talk About Sex,” “Whatta Man” (joined by En Vogue), and their unmistakable anthem “Push It.”
One of the most heartfelt moments of the night came when Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor, the group’s original producer, joined them onstage. A proud Haitian-American raised in Brooklyn by immigrant parents, Azor played a pivotal role in shaping Salt-N-Pepa in the mid-1980s. His innovative production style blending sharp hip-hop beats with pop appeal, helped launch the group into global superstardom. Under his direction, Salt-N-Pepa became the first female rap group to earn gold and platinum certifications, making history as trailblazers in a male-dominated industry.
Azor’s appearance served as a poignant reminder of the rich influence of the Haitian diaspora on American music. His rhythmic sensibilities, cultural grounding, and creative vision were fundamental to Salt-N-Pepa’s rise and to the evolution of hip-hop’s golden era. The warm embrace he shared with the trio symbolized an enduring bond and celebrated the immigrant creativity that helped shape some of the genre’s most iconic moments.
With their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Salt-N-Pepa and the Haitian-American talent behind their sound — cement their place in music history.
Push it real good… straight into the history books.
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