DJ Spinderella is suing her former bandmates, Salt-N-Pepa for alleged unpaid wages prior to her dismissal from the legendary hip-hop group.
The unemployed DJ, who was born Deidra Roper, filed a federal lawsuit against Salt (Cheryl James) and Pepa (Sandra Denton) for back pay she earned before they fired her from the group.
Court documents obtained by The Blast alleges Salt-N-Pepa robbed Spinderella of wages during the years preceding her abrupt termination.
Spinderella, 47, says she helped launch the group in the mid-1980s to be the success they are today. But she was not the band’s original DJ.
Salt-N-Pepa (Denton and James) were nursing students at Queensborough Community College in 1985 when they were discovered by co-worker and fledgeling music producer Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor, who asked them to record a single for a class project.
The single, “The Showstoppa” became the group’s first hit record when they were originally known as “Super Nature”, along with DJ Latoya Hanson.
The band went into hiatus in the late 1990s but Spinderella, pictured right with Salt, left, and Pepa, center, continued promoting the group. She claims the group never contacted her when she learned of a compilation album being released. She says Pepa told her they would pay her $125,000 out of the album’s profits but that money never materialized.
She continues, “By the early 2000s, the Defendants discussed with Roper an SNP reunion which would have possibly involved, among other things, a television show based on the legendary female group’s rise to stardom.”
The documents state a VH1 show “featured only Defendants James and Denton. Plaintiff Roper was invited to appear only as a guest on several episodes of the Salt N Pepa television show for minimal compensation.”
By the mid ‘2000s Denton, James and Spinderella continued to tour and make guest appearances as Salt-N-Pepa. Spinderella says when she asked about the money she was told she was getting her full share.
Spinderella agreed to DJ a Las Vegas residency with the girls from the Fall of 2018 through the Spring of 2019. She claims her paychecks were not paid on time or regularly.
When she complained about being shortchanged she was given a notice of termination from the group’s lawyers.
Spinderella wants the group to provide an accounting of their royalties over the last decade. She is also asking for an injunction prohibiting Salt and Pepa from using her name or likeness to promote the group.
Photos by Jim Spellman/Getty Images, Dave Simpson/WireImage, Tim Roney/Getty Images
Ya don’t say……
After looking at them on Ladies Night Out…I shook my big ass head
The unemployed DJ
^^^^^
Yep. This is what we wont do. Go to her IG. She stays booked and busy. She just did Essence Fest. Its easy to find these things out. Then again you wouldnt be you if you did. Carry on.
I can totally see them treating her as the third wheel. SMH.
I mean, in all honesty, I like Spin, but she was NEVER a necessary in the group. I wish they would work it out as a group because I just love seeing all the original members together when groups make an attempt to RE-group years after their initial successful run – but when I think about Salt n Pepa SONGS… the DJ was just never a vital part of those memories for me. I mean, other than the fact that she was the fine one… she didn’t bring much to the SONGS. Never saw them live, so I can’t account for what she brought to those performances though.
Awww “Shoop” go getcho money Spin…good luck!!!
I seriously doubt that Spin is unemployed (she’s a vet in these streets) but how are they performing without her? Did they hire another DJ off of Groupon? They probably didn’t want a three way split of the money but she’s still part of the group. Cut Spin her check
Reverse the names Auntie! Pep is Sandy and Salt is Sheryl.
Right….that was so very unnecessary.
I always get those names mixed up.
Is it that bad?
Right aint like she was making beats or something, I feel she was more of a hype man if anything
I believe Spin. I think they’ve treated her like a second class citizen for a long time. Run her her money.
Salt N Pepper used Spinderella name to promote SALT and PEPPER? LOL because I dont hear Spin nowhere in Salt and Pepper
Then why she keep going back, makes no since they can get anybody to play they music, it says she asked to come back
Spin your season has been up with them. I understand the need to hang on out of nostalgia however this has been an issue between y’all. Often times when we stay longer in a relationship that doesn’t serve us we cheat ourselves out of what we deserve. Gain your independence ?
I’m sure she keeps coming back because the group is her claim to fame and she’s invested many years into it. Why do battered women keep going back to their abusers? Because there are good times/benefits mixed in with the phuckery. Regardless of all that, if she worked she deserves to get paid.
Spin has production credits on more than one SnP album. This is gonna be problematic if she is like dont use none of the shit I contributed to. And on the song Whatta Man she pure has a verse. Its a staple on their set list and one of their biggest hits if not their biggest hit.
Were are gonna see more of these types of lawsuits as these aging artist get closer to retirement. She should have secured her bag before the turn of the century.
OT: That cutie August Alsina has lost the ability to walk. Poor guy, get well wishes to him.
I hope these ladies work it out. I love them. Everybody had those haircuts that (to me )they started.
So sad. I hate seeing groups break up.
LawdT Spin is 47..…smh
Especially over money…it neva fails
Lmoa
Yea I read about that…over some kinna autoimmune disease..how sad ?
???
not mad, get your monies Spin!
They always try to play her when it come to the money.
She has rapped, produced and A&R their projects.
Once it comes down to the 3 way split Salt and Pepper have a problem with Spin. In the past she has went on her way but get your money sis, they had the nerve to still be using her in promotions .. smh
Awww…look at the hair ? memories
THIS AS WELL.
If that’s all true, they wrong for that. Spin strikes me as the timid type, she must learn to fight for what she’s entitled to.
She has rapped, produced and A&R their projects.
^^^^^^
I see that Sandy and Cheryl have done their jobs WELL and got folks legit fooled about her being a contributor. Based on comments here and other places I read every time this comes up. Spin was doing more in the background than just spinning some records. Like….??? Wont play Spinderella on MY watch lmao. They pure have a whole ass song about Spin.
Naaaaaw, if I had to name their biggest hit, it would be Push It and, “Whatta Man” was a hit but certainly doesn’t define the groups success when you look at their overall catalogue. They can do a whole show of SnP hits and never perform that and it won’t matter. As long as they do Push It and My Mic – they’re in there!
Salt n Pepa’s catalogue doesn’t include “verse’s” from Spin.
When you look at their catalogue:
Express Yourself
Push It
None of Your Business
Tramp
Shake Your Thang
I’ll Take Your Man
Chick on the Side
My Mic Sounds Nice
The Show Stopper
You can attend a Salt n Pepa show and hear all of those songs and Spinderella is a non-factor while you’re groovin’.
You can’t have A verse on ONE of our hits and have the expectation that you’re as vital to the overall success of the group as the founding members whose voices we rapped along TO.
Besides that, she’s not asking to be compensated for those songs because the last hit album (and the only one she got to rap ON) came out in 1993. That’s 26 years ago. The statute of limitations on any claims to cash from that long ago are Certainly expired.
Now everybody is walking around quite equine-ish with fake horse hair and fake stallion asses. Like that thing in a “Wrinkle in Time.”
It may have took her decades to stand up and figure out what she deserved, but hell she realized.
I couldn’t take it when the five heartbeats did it.
I always assumed she was the N in Salt N Pepper, get your money girl.
Thats why there’s hardly anymore groups now. Smh.
Oh she was very important to the image of the group. Don’t be fooled she was prominent in everything they did.
It’s like 50% chance…like divorce. Maybe even higher
They can get anyone sure, but Spinderalla was very important to the group, she was more than just a DJ.
That touring money is goodt
Ok she’s working more than them probably!
Wow I never knew that, fight for yours Spin
Salt has let herself go too. The only one who has kept it tight is Peppa, and she’s had so much surgery done she looks worse than the other 2.
Sucks but she should have known they were short changing her the whole time cause she was excluded from the group name. They used her
?
Where’s Jada?
How can they do this to Spinderella? There’s no Salt n Pepa without Spinderella. A lot of times all that woman power talk is talk. Start by paying a sister her wages. This is so tacky of them.
https://media0.giphy.com/media/xTka04xVPdPVmSis7e/giphy.gif
I’ll have to look I actually thought Salt was looking good naturally. Pepa looks a hot mess
All of them gained weight… Hell one was getting beat on so I’m sure she got scared up on her face too. Vanity isn’t the issue, it’s inclusion. She’s been getting used
Sitting around her red table, running her mouf.
Yeah I only remember Spin as the DJ and that one verse on Whatta Man. And to be honest lol, back then, I thought she was a member of the other group, En Vogue lol… I was super young ?????
That’s EXACTLY What she was. I don’t know why people are acting like they wouldn’t have listened to Salt n Pepa without her being there – because she WASN’T.
That’s like Jackie, Marlon and Randy feeling like there are no Jackson’s without them… we loved you BECAUSE you were a part of the group… but MICHAEL was the Jackson Five!
I agree with some of this. But while some of those songs dont have verses from her they have production credits by her. And Sorry… Whatta Man is indeed their biggest hit just like I thought. I mean I wasnt a huge SnP fan during that album. But it spawned their two biggest hits. Finally, Nobody really gets paid from verses anyways. The money is in production, so I think she gonna get money based off that alone.
That why I can’t understand how they’re performing without her. The audacity….
Daaaiiiiiiiiiing!! In my Eddie Cain voice
Sure that’s why I said partly
Curious as to who managed them…sounds similar to Destiny’s child situation…
Salt and Pep are hood girls and Spin has class. So they hood girl bullied her. You can tell Spin is on another level because she always did her job, kept it classy and positive, and look how she filed a proper lawsuit instead of going on IG.
If you go to a Salt n Pepa concert…. which song you think gonna get more people on their feet, “Whatta Man”, or “Push It”… I probably ain’t moving UNTIL Push It starts. LOL
Whaaaaat??? First it was his sight now this ?
Push It is the biggest fan hit. Hands down. Billboard wise…its Whatta Man.And she has a verse in that.
Push It is the biggest fan hit. Hands down. Billboard wise…its Whatta Man.And she has a verse in that.
Yeah but they’ve excluded her from jump
Yeah but they’ve excluded her from jump
Agreed
Agreed
That would peppa who got beat from that idiot treach from naught by nature
That would peppa who got beat from that idiot treach from naught by nature
They’ve always treated her like a stepsister. Year’s ago i was listening to an interview the salt was giving, and she kind of talked about spin like she wasn’t that special.
But, that’s the point. NEITHER song is going to be on the radio, but if they perform a SHOW, they can NOT perform Whatta Man… but if they don’t perform Push It… it’s going to be a problem. Destiny’s Child’s biggest R&B album was the one with Bills, Bills, Bills, Say My Name, Bug a Boo and, Jumpin Jumpin’… but when they promoted that album there was no Latoya and Latavia – they had Michelle standing there singing. So, just because you performed on one of our biggest albums doesn’t make you vital to the success of the group – unless you’re Beyoncé. Hell, to be honest – they didn’t need KELLY as long as Beyoncé was there. So, if Kelly can’t claim success for Destiny’s Child… Spin DEFINITELY can’t take credit for SnP.
When it comes time to divide coins equally, all of a sudden some folks lose the ability to divide, but are damn good with addition towards their own damn pockets. Sad.
Read an old Billboard article few months back where they called her their “kid sister”. She is younger than them but really they on some bs and have been for a minute.
Chiiilll
He’s quite delicate, he needs to be handled with care.
Pay wise yes, but every project she was front in center she added something neither salt or pepper had. She was certainly the prettiest one.
SaltnPepa((whom I saw live a few years ago) give U your monies worth live. They’re charismatic,sexy, and can rap & dance their asses off. I recommend seeing them live. I watched their reality show recently with SWV and they were so cold,mean and catty toward Spin. Anyone watching what have thought she was a member of SWV than SNP.
But once she hit the stage with them their chemistry was undeniable.
Oh she is gaining her independence….and she should be paid for it too. 30 years….THIRTY YEARS she been with them. Damn near every video going back to Push It, she’s there.
She’s fine, just very plump now.
Pay this woman her damn money
Exactly. Clearly they never cared for the girl, but they kept her around. There had to be a reason for that. She was very important to the group. The DJ/Hypeman was crucial in the early days of hip hop. In addition to being the DJ, Spin was also CUTE, and complimented the other 2 very well. She replaced the original Spinderella and that’s when the group took off.
I feel like they’ve always treated her like a red headed step child.
They excluded her, but they didn’t replace her. They let this girl hang with them for decades. Why?? They replaced the original Spinderella without batting an eyelash, and that was their longtime friend. Why would they keep someone around they clearly never liked? Maybe because she brought something of real value to the group, she wasn’t just a seat filler. They just never wanted to split the bag.
I just watched their bet/vh1 tv show called Ladies Night which also featured aging divas SWV. I feel that Salt & Pepa didn’t mistreat her, Spin thinks she’s more than what she is. The fact is Salt & Pepa were a group BEFORE Spin joined them. They hired her as simply a “DJ”? Salt mentioned on the show how they gave her ass millions that they didn’t have too contractually. Spin on the show refused to perform bc she was not asked to sit at the table on “The Talk” talk show and host the show like Salt & Pep bc obviously that would be too many ladies around the damn table. She behaved like a brat. Then on the Vh1 show when they are doing their Vegas Residency show, Spin wanted to branch off and do a “solo” Vegas residency gig at the same time and same hotel. Salt & Pepa were supportive of her getting her coins. She still tried to be a jerk? Bottom line they have elevated her up beyond just a basic DJ status and created a monster but the group is still called Salt & Pepa. Her contract has always been less than theirs. She’s not their equal in the group. On the show she’s the one that quit?
Spin is doing this to make a point sp acts like spinderwlla wasnt hot back then! Hell back then ppl fcked with dja harddddd no having a good one coulda made or broke you. Sp are some typical so called christian ignorant ishes with bad attitude. Sue the wig off them heaux spin
Yes!!! They’ve been on that bs for a minute. After that interview years ago, it left a bad taste in my mouth about salt & pep. Hell salt even said in so many words that spin wasn’t a threat to her in terms of looks. The original group fell apart because salt and the other chick were both messing with their manager or something like that.
So she knew way back then they never paid her, but she stuck around all these years thinking what? Make it make sense.
They – specifically that walking monstrosity, Pepa – have always reminded her that she was “just the DJ” and I have seen them on TV throwing her plenty of unnecessary shade, as if to keep her “in her place”.
I believe her and I hope she gets every dime. Pepa’s ass is so wasteful with money, smh… with botched butt surgeries, freshlook contacts and busted weaves. Get it all before she spends it!
Coming from an area (DC) where black women kept their hair did/laid, coming up in that era of the 80’s 90’s etc, I didn;t understand them NY chics hair situation back in the day but I always rocked with Salt n Pepa, came out using Go- Go influenced beats.
Spin is and will always be the beauty in this group. Very pretty woman. Get your coins Spin!
I totally believe Spinderella. I sat on a flight next to Salt one time. She seemed uptight and mad that another Black woman was sitting next to her in first class. I know we all have off days but she had a mean spirit to me. Whoever doubts that Spin was an intricate part of making that group a success is delusional. She deserves her money. The checks not as big as they used to be and Salt & Pepa prefer to split it 2 ways instead of three.
Correct. Herby Azor. HE was robbing THEM blind. So its no wonder they didnt want to cut Spin in.
They never really particularly needed her in my opinion. Any good DJ in the background would have sufficed, even alternating DJs would have worked. She’s lucky they always tried to make her feel like an equal member when really Salt & Pepa is enough. There’s no salt without pepa, or pepa without salt, but plenty of salt and pepa without spinderalla.
She rapped because they let her rap.They kept allowing her to grow probably because they cared about her but there was definitely a time when the group was known as a duo only, their DJs, including spinderella, were completely unknown for quite sometime and the group already had a following before they began giving Spinderella some limelight.
“Push it” Spin
Wow. I thought they got back together because Spinderella is all over their promo. She danced and sang as much as they did. I hope she gets all her coins.
They may not need her now…but back in the 80’s & 90’s and early 2000 they needed her to spin those records and hype up the crowd. Now everything is computerize so they can by pass a DJ…but almost every rapper had a serious DJ back in the days.
She was an employee not a member
You pushing it…spinning records went out in the 80s
She left the group and asked to come back. She is a big baby that is whoa is me!
Exactly……sounds like a lie to me
Finally glad to see someone who saw the whole story
She was able to do 90 percent of everything they did. And they can’t help that shows only want SNP those 10 percent of those times
She rapped in two or three songs that is it! You giving too much credit
Exactly they allowed her to continue to grow because truthfully her use as a dj played out on the 80s
Salt has always rubbed me the wrong way. She was too good for the group when she was married and holier than thot Pepa. Now she is running everything and has all the time in the world. Her and Erika Campbell act so much alike. ?
Get yo coins Spindarella!
Yeah but you have way more control of your set with a live DJ, that rehearsed with the group…..
Yeah but you have way more control of your set with a live DJ, that rehearsed with the group…..
I had the same experience with Spin. I met her at Whole Foods one day and she was nasty. I just figured she was having a bad day and didn’t sweat it so much. I know us as women can have those days.
I had the same experience with Spin. I met her at Whole Foods one day and she was nasty. I just figured she was having a bad day and didn’t sweat it so much. I know us as women can have those days.
yep, and that beauty did add some some extra flavor to group… me and the boyz always talked about Spin back in the day….
yep, and that beauty did add some some extra flavor to group… me and the boyz always talked about Spin back in the day….
All I can say is JAM MASTER JAY, RUNDMC….. they were equals 3 man group 3 man split ……. No if ands whats or buts..!!!!
Treach said that Peppa lied on him .!!!!
Ye my abusive ex said the same shit or tried to justify his abusive ways by saying ‘she would cheat on me’
Yup
Jam Master Jay was an original member and vital to creating their sound and records. Spin wasn’t the JMJ of the group. So that’s not even a comparison
Her personality is dry and entitled as hell…I met her at my pt job between her and Lee Lee from SWV I dont know who has the worst personality…
dance their asses off
^^^^
I wish Pepa would dance that botched fake but off
Say that! Spin was definitely an important part of the group. That’s like saying DJ Jazzy Jeff had little to do with the success of the Fresh Prince. I have no idea how any of the women act but Spin was an intricate part of Salt n Pepa.
Ahh shyt here we go but do what you gotta do Spin. I learned from watching Ladie’s Night that Salt is quite the little gangster. I always thought it was Pep. Salt definitely comes for Spin. Alot.
If you happen to scroll back up ready my comment. I just read yours after I made mine.
Exactly! She’s just dividing the fan base and I think it’s slimy. She left the group, they allowed her to come back. She agreed to terms and now is leaving again. Bottom line Salt (nasty attitude and all) and Pep (skanky behavior and all) these ladies are workaholics! Like Salt said think of this as a business like corporation. Salt & Pepa gotta make payroll! They don’t have the luxury to just get an attitude and decide to “sit out” on performances and such. The show gotta go on bc families are depending on them. Spin sees an opportunity to tap into the female DJ “movement” I guess ie Paris Hilton etc, so now she exiting the group again. But her butt better be very careful about burning bridges on the way out the door. Salt & Pepa still command a audience worldwide.
LeeLee? She worse than Coco?
Indeed, a woman beater can not be trusted…..
Chile…like David Ruffin and the Temptations. Everybody is replaceable ?
Yes…I swear on everything…they were performing at a concert in my city and she was looking for a spooly brush for her eyebrows…I tried to show her the one she was takling about and she swore up and down I was wrong then after ten minutes and a text message confirming I was right her azz buys it…I’ve seen way bigger celebrities so for her to act all entitled made me sick…
I get what you are saying, but 50 cent still to this day pay DJ WHOO KIDD, millions of dollars to tour with him, and Whoo Kidd did not contribute to the G-Unit sound at all…. them Chics gonna lose this lawsuit to Spin..!!!!
They wrong for doing that girl like that smdh
I knew this was coming….
LOL https://media1.giphy.com/media/13l7w7N4Vr1dw4/giphy.gif
Not surprised and I feel you on this part -“I’ve seen way bigger celebrities so for her to act all entitled made me sick…” Those are usually the ones.
But that’s not the point….rather they needed her or not…they used her name, skills and likeness now they need to pay her.
Dead wrong, TRiffling as*es
And unlike Jam Master Jay, Jazzy Jeff and Eric B. she didn’t actually create music with her dj’ing that was actually beats to songs.
LOL this gif takes me out every time!
Right, she came back as an employee who knew what the deal was. I think she timed this to come out like this while they were doing the tv show.
If I am not mistaken, there is even so controversy about the name Spinderalla. I hope it all works out.
This is what happens when you are loyal to mofos who aren’t loyal to you. They are wrong for doing Spinderella like that. i hope and pray that whatever she is owes that they give it to her. And I hope she washes her hands with them for good. I’m at the point in my life where I am giving folk their just do and keeping it moving!
Dead wrong for that ……………..
they dissed her for a while to only split their checks by 2. Run DMC never did that to JMJ. Petty, I hope she wins
I never thought she was attractive, she always seemed too manly and like she was desperate for any man to take her!
U right!
This is a long time coming…
Bingo that’s his name. Salt was in love that ninja
Money can destroy yearsss of friendship..they ass too old to be lookin for a new dj
Really? Erica Campbell seems so nice.
I’ve met SWV before. Taj was really really cool and Coko seemed cool too but Lelee barely said a word.
Some women act a lot worse than men, when it comes to giving another woman her fair share. That’s super childish of them though.
After watching Ladies Night I was shocked by Salt’s demeanor. She seems like a mean girl and her and Peppa continued to gang up on Spinderella where they felt she wasn’t worthy of being heard. I don’t see how she lasted as long as she did, I would have bounced a long time ago.
This is very tacky of them but God nor the universe, like ugly.
I loved her on Sunday’s Best but I made a mistake by watching the Mary, Mary reality show. I felt that she was calculating and was the meaner of the two sisters.
Sounds like they did Spin wrong….
I hope she gets what is due to her.
Erica or Tina? Tina has always come off as the meaner one to me.
Come through with the facts and receipts, sis!!
Spinderella was all in their videos and everything. She even rapped in a couple of them. Now, they’re trying to act like she played a minor role in the group. Quit it!
Exactly money will destroy families and divide the Red Sea??its best not to barter just have a legal bidding contract
I hate to hear this.
I saw Erika as the meaner one in real life. Her husband made the music so she came off like they were putting in more. She didn’t care about Tina’s pregnancy but when she was pregnant she wanted empathy. Tina appeared mean but that was a defense mechanism and she seemed hurt. I had to TAP OUT.
No, Erica is a bitch. I would rather see Tina on sunday best.
Salt looks terrible. Looks like she’s been eating too much salt. Spin looks the best.
Yup get your coins Spin!!!!! They did the original DJ dirty too, well Salt fired her bcuz Luv Bug was feeling her and allegedly hitting it.
It’s so crazy and to think Will Smith was trying to holla at Pepa back in the day and she turned him down bcuz she likes ruff necks and she thought he was too corny for her. My boy Will definitely dodged a bullet! LOLLLLL
She also used to brag A LOT about her fellatio game like these cucumber thots out here like it’s cute!
I always thought Spinderella was replaceable.The group is called Salt & Pepa!
Spin, you wait a whole decade to sue these chicks??? You should’ve been lawyered up or left the group. And what’s their beef with Spinderella anyway, they act she slept with one of their men ?
That’s real common start complaining about your money and they fire you
If you watched there most recent show they were doing Spin dirty…Spin just sits in the background quiet…not me..I would have blew that whole fking room up…
All too common with washed up entertainers. When they do get a gig, they need all the money so they play around with your portion.
“Christian” Salt?
I’m not gone gone two weeks without my pay or my ass ain’t showing up to work!
Hey stranger!! How are you??? I haven’t “seen” you around in ages. I hope all is well with you and “Mister”.
Not Spinderella.
If you see episodes of the new show they have ladies night. You see Spin is a nice woman but she like all women have areas that can be strengthened…she lacks the ability to be proud and encouraged and leading when in a room with those ladies. She has developed some level of avoidance or fear that directly effects hr self esteem which I believe lead her to this stage.
She needs to sit down somewhere. She acts like she made the group. They would’ve still rapped without her. Get a life!
She should have sued Pepa for this butt to leg ratio!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking like a new super hero in the adventures of ANT GIRL!!!!!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6a33c48e2e55a856ca3366ee335ea7f3ef1b226b3fbaf1ac105767aa007ecf5d.png
WOW SALT AND PEPA ARE SAD AND DIRTY, THEY KNOW SPIN WAS A MAIN PART OF THAT GROUP..LOW DOWN DIRTY DOGS!
maaannnn……see yall upstairs.
IT’S A HOT MESS!
Spin is a scorned DJ..they got tired of her whining and they let her go. Now she’s jobless and in need of cash so she’s suing. I’m glad they got rid of her.