Latest news with #WhattaMan
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Salt-N-Pepa sue record label to reclaim rights to their recordings including 'Push It'
Salt-N-Pepa are telling their record label not to push it as they fight for the rights to their music. The groundbreaking duo behind hip-hop classics including 1983's 'Shoop' and 1987's 'Push It' say in a lawsuit that Universal Music Group is violating copyright law by refusing to agree to turn over the rights to their master recordings. Cheryl 'Salt' James and Sandra 'Pepa' Denton filed the lawsuit in federal court in New York on Monday asserting that the copyright act of 1976, which says that after several decades artists can terminate previous agreements and reclaim ownership of their recordings, clearly now applies to them. The fight, which has led to UMG pulling Salt-N-Pepa's music from streaming services, comes as many artists with beloved legacies are making lucrative sales of their catalogs, while others get stuck in classic record-label battles over old contracts. 'UMG has indicated that it will hold Plaintiffs' rights hostage even if it means tanking the value of Plaintiffs' music catalogue and depriving their fans of access to their work,' the suit says. UMG representatives did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The lawsuit suggests that situations like Salt-N-Pepa's are the very reason the provision of the copyright act exists. It allows artists who made deals 'at the beginning of their careers' when they were relatively powerless to use the cultural standing and musical legacy they later established. The suit says James and Denton filed to terminate their agreement under the law in 2022, 'eager to retake full ownership of their art and legacy,' but that, 'Inexplicably, UMG has refused to honor' their rights. James and Denton say that by law, they should now be able to own early recordings including those from their 1986 debut album, 'Hot, Cool & Vicious,' and 1987's 'Push It,' a B-side whose remix caught on and became their breakthrough hit. They say other recordings should legally be theirs later this year and in 2026, including the 1993 album 'Very Necessary,' which includes 'Shoop' and 'Whatta Man.' The duo is seeking both actual damages for money lost and punitive damages in amounts to be determined for UMG's actions. The suit says actual damages could 'well exceed $1 million.' They also want a permanent injunction confirming their rights to the recordings. They said by pulling the songs from streaming and other commercial platforms, the label has 'maliciously punished' Salt-N-Pepa 'for daring to assert their rights.' The label's lawyers said in letters included as exhibits in the lawsuit that they have encouraged mediation and want to reach a 'mutually acceptable resolution.' But the UMG lawyers said in the letters that James and Denton were not even personally parties in the 1986 agreement that covered their initial albums, and there is no evidence that they granted the label copyright that they can now reclaim. UMG maintains that the recordings were 'works made for hire,' which would not allow for the reclaiming of rights. Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit says the women's agreements with the label make it very clear that they were not. The Queens, New York, duo of James and Denton became Salt-N-Pepa in 1985. They were later joined by DJ Spinderella, who was not part of the early agreements under dispute and is not involved in the lawsuit. 'Salt-N-Pepa boldly changed the look of rap and hip-hop,' the lawsuit says. 'They were not afraid to talk about sex and to share their thoughts about men. Their sound recordings 'Let's Talk About Sex' and 'None of Your Business,' for example, were huge hits. They talked candidly about women's sexuality and empowerment when such topics were frowned upon, heavily criticized, and called taboo.' In 1995 they became the first female rap group to win a Grammy, and in 2021, they received a Grammy lifetime achievement award. Later this year they'll become members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when they receive the organization's Musical Influence Award. ___ AP Music Writer Maria Sherman contributed to this report.
Winnipeg Free Press
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Salt-N-Pepa sue record label to reclaim rights to their recordings including ‘Push It'
Salt-N-Pepa are telling their record label not to push it as they fight for the rights to their music. The groundbreaking duo behind hip-hop classics including 1983's 'Shoop' and 1987's 'Push It' say in a lawsuit that Universal Music Group is violating copyright law by refusing to agree to turn over the rights to their master recordings. Cheryl 'Salt' James and Sandra 'Pepa' Denton filed the lawsuit in federal court in New York on Monday asserting that the copyright act of 1976, which says that after several decades artists can terminate previous agreements and reclaim ownership of their recordings, clearly now applies to them. The fight, which has led to UMG pulling Salt-N-Pepa's music from streaming services, comes as many artists with beloved legacies are making lucrative sales of their catalogs, while others get stuck in classic record-label battles over old contracts. 'UMG has indicated that it will hold Plaintiffs' rights hostage even if it means tanking the value of Plaintiffs' music catalogue and depriving their fans of access to their work,' the suit says. UMG representatives did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The lawsuit suggests that situations like Salt-N-Pepa's are the very reason the provision of the copyright act exists. It allows artists who made deals 'at the beginning of their careers' when they were relatively powerless to use the cultural standing and musical legacy they later established. The suit says James and Denton filed to terminate their agreement under the law in 2022, 'eager to retake full ownership of their art and legacy,' but that, 'Inexplicably, UMG has refused to honor' their rights. James and Denton say that by law, they should now be able to own early recordings including those from their 1986 debut album, 'Hot, Cool & Vicious,' and 1987's 'Push It,' a B-side whose remix caught on and became their breakthrough hit. They say other recordings should legally be theirs later this year and in 2026, including the 1993 album 'Very Necessary,' which includes 'Shoop' and 'Whatta Man.' The duo is seeking both actual damages for money lost and punitive damages in amounts to be determined for UMG's actions. The suit says actual damages could 'well exceed $1 million.' They also want a permanent injunction confirming their rights to the recordings. They said by pulling the songs from streaming and other commercial platforms, the label has 'maliciously punished' Salt-N-Pepa 'for daring to assert their rights.' The label's lawyers said in letters included as exhibits in the lawsuit that they have encouraged mediation and want to reach a 'mutually acceptable resolution.' But the UMG lawyers said in the letters that James and Denton were not even personally parties in the 1986 agreement that covered their initial albums, and there is no evidence that they granted the label copyright that they can now reclaim. UMG maintains that the recordings were 'works made for hire,' which would not allow for the reclaiming of rights. Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit says the women's agreements with the label make it very clear that they were not. The Queens, New York, duo of James and Denton became Salt-N-Pepa in 1985. They were later joined by DJ Spinderella, who was not part of the early agreements under dispute and is not involved in the lawsuit. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'Salt-N-Pepa boldly changed the look of rap and hip-hop,' the lawsuit says. 'They were not afraid to talk about sex and to share their thoughts about men. Their sound recordings 'Let's Talk About Sex' and 'None of Your Business,' for example, were huge hits. They talked candidly about women's sexuality and empowerment when such topics were frowned upon, heavily criticized, and called taboo.' In 1995 they became the first female rap group to win a Grammy, and in 2021, they received a Grammy lifetime achievement award. Later this year they'll become members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when they receive the organization's Musical Influence Award. ___ AP Music Writer Maria Sherman contributed to this report.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Salt-N-Pepa sue record label to reclaim rights to their recordings including 'Push It'
Salt-N-Pepa are telling their record label not to push it as they fight for the rights to their music. The groundbreaking duo behind hip-hop classics including 1983's 'Shoop' and 1987's 'Push It' say in a lawsuit that Universal Music Group is violating copyright law by refusing to agree to turn over the rights to their master recordings. Cheryl 'Salt' James and Sandra 'Pepa' Denton filed the lawsuit in federal court in New York on Monday asserting that the copyright act of 1976, which says that after several decades artists can terminate previous agreements and reclaim ownership of their recordings, clearly now applies to them. The fight, which has led to UMG pulling Salt-N-Pepa's music from streaming services, comes as many artists with beloved legacies are making lucrative sales of their catalogs, while others get stuck in classic record-label battles over old contracts. 'UMG has indicated that it will hold Plaintiffs' rights hostage even if it means tanking the value of Plaintiffs' music catalogue and depriving their fans of access to their work,' the suit says. UMG representatives did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The lawsuit suggests that situations like Salt-N-Pepa's are the very reason the provision of the copyright act exists. It allows artists who made deals 'at the beginning of their careers' when they were relatively powerless to use the cultural standing and musical legacy they later established. The suit says James and Denton filed to terminate their agreement under the law in 2022, 'eager to retake full ownership of their art and legacy,' but that, 'Inexplicably, UMG has refused to honor' their rights. James and Denton say that by law, they should now be able to own early recordings including those from their 1986 debut album, 'Hot, Cool & Vicious,' and 1987's 'Push It,' a B-side whose remix caught on and became their breakthrough hit. They say other recordings should legally be theirs later this year and in 2026, including the 1993 album 'Very Necessary,' which includes 'Shoop' and 'Whatta Man.' The duo is seeking both actual damages for money lost and punitive damages in amounts to be determined for UMG's actions. The suit says actual damages could 'well exceed $1 million.' They also want a permanent injunction confirming their rights to the recordings. They said by pulling the songs from streaming and other commercial platforms, the label has 'maliciously punished' Salt-N-Pepa 'for daring to assert their rights.' The label's lawyers said in letters included as exhibits in the lawsuit that they have encouraged mediation and want to reach a 'mutually acceptable resolution.' But the UMG lawyers said in the letters that James and Denton were not even personally parties in the 1986 agreement that covered their initial albums, and there is no evidence that they granted the label copyright that they can now reclaim. UMG maintains that the recordings were 'works made for hire,' which would not allow for the reclaiming of rights. Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit says the women's agreements with the label make it very clear that they were not. The Queens, New York, duo of James and Denton became Salt-N-Pepa in 1985. They were later joined by DJ Spinderella, who was not part of the early agreements under dispute and is not involved in the lawsuit. 'Salt-N-Pepa boldly changed the look of rap and hip-hop,' the lawsuit says. 'They were not afraid to talk about sex and to share their thoughts about men. Their sound recordings 'Let's Talk About Sex' and 'None of Your Business,' for example, were huge hits. They talked candidly about women's sexuality and empowerment when such topics were frowned upon, heavily criticized, and called taboo.' In 1995 they became the first female rap group to win a Grammy, and in 2021, they received a Grammy lifetime achievement award. Later this year they'll become members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when they receive the organization's Musical Influence Award. ___ Music Writer Maria Sherman contributed to this report.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jelly Roll Shows Off Legs in Daisy Dukes in New Beverage Ad Amid His Weight Loss Journey
Whatta man! Jelly Roll exuded confidence as he showed off his legs in a pair of Daisy Dukes in a new beverage commercial amid his weight loss journey. The country singer, 40, appeared in the new ad for Zevia, a zero sugar, zero artificial soda, on Monday, March 10. In the commercial, Jelly Roll drove a red pickup truck to a rest stop with a gas station, motel and diner. He emerged from the car wearing a white shirt underneath a blue cutoff flannel, which was paired with light-wash cutoff shorts and black cowboy boots. The 'Save Me' hitmaker also sported black sunglasses as he ran a hand through his mullet. Two young boys watched in awe from across the street as Jelly walked over to a Zevia refrigerator and grabbed a can of the drink, all while Salt-N-Peppa's 'Whatta Man' played in the background. 'Jelly Roll in a Zevia commercial? This is huge,' one of the boys said. 'By choosing him as a spokesperson for their zero-sugar soda with zero artificial ingredients, Zevia is dismantling the notion that 'real men' cannot be conscious of what goes into their bodies. Mr. Roll, now, quite literally is the poster child for sweet authenticity.' Jelly then turned to the camera and flashed a huge smile as he held up his can of Creamy Root Beer Zevia, which is his favorite flavor, the CMT Music Awards winner told People. Jelly, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, also told the outlet that he decided to do the commercial because he wanted to help spread the message that men should be mindful of what they eat and drink. 'I think being honest about that choice and the ongoing commitment (and slip-ups) has helped people feel like they aren't alone if they are going through something similar and that's why I wanted to be honest with my health journey,' he said. The 'Need a Favor' singer, who has been on a weight loss journey filled with ups and downs for nearly 10 years, also explained that he became more conscious of what was going into his body in the past few months due to 'partly age and partly just being where I am in my life.' 'Looking at my family and knowing I want to be here as long as possible that I really had to make a choice and constant decision to keep up that choice when it came to what I end up consuming-physically and mentally,' Jelly added. 'Finding options that help me keep that going was important to me, and making sure you evaluate what is in the stuff you're consuming has been a game changer for me.' In 2015, Jelly weighed more than 500 pounds, he revealed in a 2018 Instagram post. However, after learning about his weight at a doctor's visit, he only spiraled further out of control and coped with the news by eating more food, drinking more liquor and doing drugs. It wasn't until 2016 when he took his health seriously and lost about 200 pounds. Unfortunately, Jelly hit a rough patch in 2018 and began overeating and overdrinking again, which led him to gain back 60 pounds. He didn't give up, though, and continued his weight loss journey. Jelly saw steady progress, and by April 2024, he told People that he lost about 70 pounds. 'I've been really kicking ass, man. I'm doing two to three miles a day, four to six days a week. I'm doing 20 to 30 minutes in the sauna, six minutes in a cold plunge every day. I'm eating healthy right now,' he said. In another update in October 2024, Jelly said he was 'officially down a hundred f--king pounds.' 'I feel this good just losing 100 pounds. I'm 420-something now,' he said on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast. 'I'm walking around different, talking different, my shoulders are setting different, I'm moving different.'
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Bachelor Premiere Recap: Save the Drama for Your Llama — Vote for Grant's Best Match in Our Poll!
The Bachelor is back, and Grant's women are keeping the drama to a minimum — for this week, at least. Monday's premiere reintroduces us to Grant, a Houston day trader who competed for Jenn's heart on The Bachelorette, to the tune of Salt-N-Pepa's 'Whatta Man.' He used to play pro basketball overseas — and the day trading must be going well, since he drives a bright red Ferrari up to his mom's house. He has a protective older sister, Taylor, and he's sweet with his grandmother Corine, handing her a rose. Grant explains that his parents split up, and his dad Robert is a recovering addict. He sits down with Robert, who encourages him to be a better father than he was. This is getting emotional already! More from TVLine Watson Premiere Recap: Did You Miss Sherlock Holmes in CBS' Medical-Drama-With-a-Twist? Paradise's Massive Twist Caps a Highly Satisfying Premiere - Read Recap and Grade the Episode Super Bowl LIX Teams Set: Chiefs and Eagles to Face Off (Again) for NFL Title Grant arrives at the Bachelor mansion and does a little dance to work out the nerves before the limos start pulling up. First out of the limo is Rose, a nurse who asks him if he will 'accept this Rose.' (Duh, he will.) Litia is a venture capitalist who hands Grant a bejeweled basketball, and J'Nae is a fellow basketball player who does the LeBron chalk toss with him, so we can expect lots of hoops talk. Carolina speaks Spanish to him (she's from Puerto Rico), and she hopes Grant marks a positive change for her love life: 'My last boyfriend was a DJ.' Alli Jo pulls up in a white Jeep and hands Grant a heart-shaped pizza, explaining that she's from New Jersey, so 'you know I'm gonna be loud.' Dina is a high-powered attorney, and she knows what she wants: She gives Grant her ring size right away. Then the introductions start to get kookier: Alexe walks up with a llama named Linda, since she grew up on a farm in Canada. (And yes, the llama joins her in the mansion and becomes a full-fledged character, complete with subtitles.) Juliana brings Grant a cannoli, since she's Italian, and Chloie is wearing ruby slippers because she's from Kansas. Bailey works in social media, so she snaps a bunch of selfies — like, an obnoxious amount of selfies. Savannah is a wedding planner, so she carries in a big wedding cake with her and Grant on the topper, and Vicki is a nightclub server, so she comes in holding a big sign with Grant's name on it. Zoe is the last to arrive, and the tech engineer-slash-model seems to make a big impression on Grant, as they fire T-shirts with their faces on them out of a T-shirt cannon. Do we sense an early frontrunner? Grant enters the mansion and makes a sweet speech about what love means to him, and Bailey swoops in right away to pull him for a private chat. (They take more selfies, of course.) Parisa sits him down to show him a PowerPoint (?) of their future together… and she's not breaking the 'crazy cat lady' stereotype, is she? Allyshia insists she doesn't kiss on the first date, but when she and Grant cuddle and fantasize about watching rom-coms together, he pulls her in for a lip-lock. Juliana plays keyboard for him, and they bond talking about their families — and they kiss, too. Carolina gets one-on-one time as well, and she gets emotional talking about her family. Grant wanted to kiss her, he tells us, but he holds back for now. The girls marvel at how there's so little tension between them so far — until a mystery woman pulls up in a limo and strides past them, making a beeline for Grant. A new competitor? An ex? Nah, it's just his sister Taylor, who sticks around to show the girls his embarrassing baby photos and give them more background info on him. (Whew.) She likes what she sees from the ladies, and Litia praises Grant for how in touch he is with his emotions… and gets a kiss, too. He kisses Alexe as well after she gives him a quick French lesson (that's not a euphemism), and Zoe, Vicky and Rose get smooches, too, taking his total to seven. That's a lot of candidates for the first impression rose, which comes with a bonus this season: the first one-on-one date next week. But in the end, he hands the rose to Alexe. The llama must've put her over the top. It's rose ceremony time, and Parisa is worried: 'It seemed like he was enjoying my PowerPoint.' He hands roses to Litia, Rose, Zoe, Ella, Alli Jo from Joisey, Natalie, Juliana, Vicky the bottle girl, Carolina, Beverly, Bailey the selfie queen, Dina, Chloie, Rebecca, Sarafiena and Allyshia. The final rose goes to… PowerPoint Parisa. The rejects include Savannah the wedding cake girl, J'Nae the hooper… and a few other girls whose names we don't need to know anymore. And if the premiere was drama-free, the trailer for the rest of the season surely is not: We see plenty of tears, and Carolina confronts Grant about something he supposedly said, with him concluding, 'One of these women is being deceitful.' One woman demands to know, 'Are you the bitch who said my dress is too short?' Later, Carolina sings as she walks upstairs, 'I guess I'm crazy and evil.' But the biggest drama comes from Grant himself: He's excited to propose in the finale, but 'I'm torn between two women. I have a ring, and I don't know who I'm going to give it to.' He tells his dad he has an hour to decide, and he still doesn't know what to do. Jesse even warns him that the women are driving up for the final rose ceremony, but Grant tells him, 'The truth is: I don't know.' Well, that's sure to make whoever he does choose feel great! We want to hear from you, Bachelor Nation: After that premiere, who do you think is the best match for Grant? Vote in our poll, and then share your post-premiere thoughts in a comment below. Best of TVLine Mrs. Maisel Flash-Forward List: All of Season 5's Futuristic Easter Eggs Yellowjackets Recap: The Morning After Yellowjackets Recap: The First Supper
