Ooh, baby, baby … Salt-N-Pepa are heading to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but one OG is raising an eyebrow. Latoya Hanson, better known as the group’s original DJ Spinderella, says she hasn’t received an RSVP to the induction ceremony — and she’s calling out the sneakiness that got her ousted from the trio back in the day.
OG Spinderella Speaks Out
TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Hanson, who was a founding member of Salt-N-Pepa all the way through their 1986 debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious. You can spot her on the iconic cover art, a testament to her early contributions to the legendary group.
According to Latoya, no one from Salt-N-Pepa reached out about the Hall of Fame induction. “Not surprising,” she said, noting that Cheryl “Salt” James had a history of undermining her shine — the kind of behavior that eventually led to Latoya’s exit.
She claims Salt, not Pepa or Deidra Roper, was the “evil genius” behind her departure. Latoya recalls being fully involved in the recording of early hits like Push It and Tramp, but by the time the videos dropped, she was mysteriously absent.
Biopic Beef & Royalty Wrangling
Latoya also expressed frustration over how she was portrayed in the 2021 Lifetime Salt-N-Pepa biopic, a sentiment shared by her replacement Spinderella. And there’s more drama: Salt-N-Pepa are currently embroiled in a lawsuit against Universal Music Group over unpaid royalties.
Latoya finds it ironic, given that their famed producer, Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor, and his publishing company hold the rights to the group’s music, lyrics, and recordings — not the trio themselves.
She also claims that Salt lacked the foresight to recognize the massive potential of Push It, which ultimately made Salt-N-Pepa the first female rap group to go Platinum.
Hall of Fame Resolution? ✅
Despite the tension, Latoya says she’s been reassured by Hurby Azor that everything will be squared away for her to participate in the induction ceremony. “If the Rock Hall didn’t know about the behind-the-scenes pettiness — they do now,” she said.
And for the record? No hard feelings. Latoya plans to sit next to Salt at the ceremony, proving that while the drama is real, so is the legacy.
Bottom line: Salt-N-Pepa are being immortalized in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but the spotlight also shines on OG Spinderella, her history with the group, and the royalties battles simmering behind the scenes.
