{"id":11741,"date":"2025-11-12T02:56:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T02:56:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/?p=11741"},"modified":"2025-11-12T02:56:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T02:56:45","slug":"they-could-go-toe-to-toe-with-the-guys-missy-elliotts-powerful-9-word-declaration-as-she-inducted-the-trio-that-paved-the-way-for-every-female-rapper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cnews.topnewsource.com\/?p=11741","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThey could go toe to toe with the guys\u201d: Missy Elliott\u2019s powerful 9-word declaration as she inducted the trio that paved the way for every female rapper"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held on November 9 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, was a monumental night for hip-hop, headlined by the induction of the groundbreaking trio Salt-N-Pepa. The group, consisting of Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and DJ Spinderella, received the Musical Influence Award, celebrating their pioneering role in female rap and music history.<\/span><\/p>\n

The honor was presented by none other than legendary producer and rapper Missy Elliott. Elliott, who herself made history as the first female rapper to be inducted into the Hall in 2023, delivered a heartfelt speech that framed Salt-N-Pepa\u2019s legacy with a powerful nine-word declaration: “The female rappers had to step to the mic and show that they could go toe to toe with the guys. And Salt, Pepa and Spinderella did it.”<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The trio’s impact is cemented in the data of hip-hop history. Formed in 1985, Salt-N-Pepa became the first female rap act to achieve Gold and Platinum sales status by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Their breakthrough 1987 hit, the dance floor anthem “Push It,”<\/b> originally released as the B-side to their single “Tramp,”<\/b> became a global success, peaking at No. 19 on the US Billboard<\/i> Hot 100 in early 1988<\/b> and reaching a high of No. 2 in the UK<\/b>. The track was certified Platinum by the RIAA and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance in 1989. Furthermore, their 2025 induction gave DJ Spinderella<\/b> the unique distinction of becoming the first female DJ to ever enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the induction, Salt-N-Pepa delivered an electrifying medley performance, sporting their iconic multicolored leather jackets from the “Push It”<\/b> music video. The setlist featured a parade of hits, kicking off with “Shoop,”<\/b> moving into the controversial and boundary-pushing “Let\u2019s Talk About Sex,”<\/b> and featuring a collaboration with En Vogue on the Grammy-winning single “What a Man,”<\/b> before closing with the crowd-rousing “Push It.”<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The celebratory mood turned momentarily reflective during the acceptance speeches, as the trio addressed broader industry issues. James dedicated the honor to “every woman who picked up a mic when they told her she couldn\u2019t,” while also calling out the music industry for a lack of fairness, referencing their ongoing litigation to reclaim their master recordings from Universal Music Group: “The industry still doesn\u2019t want to play fair, Salt-N-Pepa have never been afraid of a fight.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The star-studded event provided context to the group\u2019s decades-long influence, which saw other music legends also honored. The night was packed with inductions for artists across multiple genres, including the iconic hip-hop duo Outkast, pop-rock powerhouse Cyndi Lauper, the influential garage rock duo the White Stripes, classic rock favorites Bad Company, and the influential singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. The ceremony featured performances by the likes of Bryan Adams and The Killers, confirming the 2025 event as a truly momentous evening for music history.<\/span><\/p>\n

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@rockhall<\/a> <\/p>\n

From one hip-hop icon to another: @missyelliott takes the stage to induct the legendary @saltnpepamusic. \ud83d\udcfa Tune in NOW on @disneyplus to watch the 2025 Rock & Roll of Fame Induction Ceremony. #RockHall2025<\/a> #MissyElliott<\/a> #SaltNPepa<\/a> #HipHop<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c original sound – Rock Hall – Rock Hall<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n