“Well, I’m old school, and hip-hop is like battling, going back and forth, and it’s (Drake’s lawsuit against UMG) kind of like calling the police, you know. I’m sorry, y’all. I love Drake, though. But yeah, I can’t get with that one.”

– Cheryl “Salt” James, one-half of the dynamic hip-hop duo and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Salt-N-Pepa, reveals to TMZ (h/t The Company Man on YouTube) that she thinks Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) is antithetical to hip-hop. Drake’s lawsuit alleges that UMG boosted promotion and streams of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a diss track that cemented Lamar as the winner of a rap battle against Drake last summer, despite knowing the track defamed his character. Salt, like many other hip-hop legends and fans, asserts that lyrical battling is a cornerstone of the music genre and likens Drake to a cop-caller for being a sore loser. Despite her lawsuit with her group mate Sandra “Pepa” Denton against UMG for not terminating their contract, not returning the rights to Salt-N-Pepa’s master recordings, and removing their music from streaming, James still can’t “get with” Lawbry’s Drake’s lawsuit.

When it comes to Salt-N-Pepa’s own UMG lawsuit, James said, “We did all the things. You know, it’s been a while actually, and they’re not budging. It’s very unusual. So we’re just fighting for our copyrights because when you’re an artist, in the beginning, you sign a contract saying that after 35 years – which has been 40 for us – after 35 years, you get your rights back.”

Sounds like Salt-N-Pepa are simply demanding what’s rightfully theirs. We’re keeping a close watch on this story. In the meantime, join our social community and let us know your thoughts on Drake’s lawsuit and Salt-N-Pepa’s.