OutKast were also inducted, alongside a star-studded tribute to Sly Stone.
Salt-N-Pepa’s Spinderella has become the first female DJ to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame following the trio’s recognition at Saturday’s annual ceremony at the Los Angeles Peacock Theater.
Missy Elliott, who became the first female rap star Hall of Famer in 2023, gave a speech welcoming Salt-N-Pepa and Spinderella to the stage. The act then performed a medley of hit singles including ‘Push It’ and ‘Whatta Man’. The latter included a guest appearance by En Vogue, who collaborated on the original 1993 recording.
“When I started, it was a rare thing to see a woman behind turntables,” Spinderella said in her induction speech. “It was literally the boys club, so I had to carve my own lane. I had to show up.
“It was dedication; it was my craft, and I never missed a beat, in 40 years y’all… I carry every female DJ who ever dared to dream,” she continued. “Every woman who touched a turntable and said, ‘I can do that too.’ This is ours. Respect the DJ.”
Fellow member Cheryl ‘Salt’ James also used the speech to keep the group’s ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group in the spotlight. Earlier this year, the trio accused the largest of music’s so-called ‘majors’ of removing their songs from streaming platforms amid a law suit over the rights to original masters.
“We’re in a fight for our masters that rightfully belong to us…,” said James. “After 40 years, our streaming music has been taking down from all streaming platforms because the industry doesn’t want to play fair,” then, amid cheers, added that “Salt-N- Pepa has never been afraid of a fight.”
This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony also included a tribute to Sly Stone, who died earlier this year aged 82. ‘Dance to the Music’ was performed as a duet between Stevie Wonder and Beck, Maxwell was drafted for vocals on ‘Everyday People’, and Jessica Hudson took responsibilities for the lyrics to ‘Higher’. Questlove and Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Flea were also involved.
OutKast were among the other Hall of Fame inductees, with the duo – Big Boi and André 3000 – playing three rounds of rock-paper-scissors to decide who would address the audience first. The former won and began by thanking his family and the people of Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia.
Another of the city’s prominent hip-hop groups, Dungeon Family, joined the pair on stage, alongside names including J.I.D., Doja Cat, Tyler, The Creator, Janelle Monáe, Killer Mike, and Sleepy Brown, who assisted in performing medley of OutKast tracks. Songs such as ‘B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)’, ‘ATLiens’, ‘Hey Ya’, ‘Ms. Jackson’, and ‘The Way You Move’ all featured.
“I wanna say, especially, to my brother right here—thank you for making me be the best I can be, and going toe to toe on the records. Iron-sharpen-iron just to be the best,” said Big Boi.
“When I heard that we were being inducted, I was like, ‘Man, this is great, because we’ll be able to be in the same company with a lot of people we grew up with, a lot of bands that influenced us, whole lineage of people,” added André 3000.
Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker were also inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
