Spinderella Becomes First Female DJ Inducted In Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
Hip-Hop icon DJ Spinderella cemented her place in music history, becoming the first female DJ ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The ceremony, held on Saturday night (Nov. 8) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrated her groundbreaking career and enduring influence as one-third of the trailblazing group Salt-N-Pepa.
Born Deidra Roper, Spinderella rose to fame in the late 1980s and early ’90s alongside Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton. Together, the trio revolutionized Hip-Hop with a string of chart-topping anthems, including “Shake Your Thang,” “Let’s Talk About Sex,” “Shoop,” and “What a Man.”
1988: American hip hop trio Salt-N-Pepa (Cheryl James, Cheryl Wray, Sandra Denton).
BSR Agency/Gentle Look via Getty Images
Their fearless blend of feminism, fun, and unapologetic attitude helped redefine the possibilities for women in rap—and in music at large. Taking the stage during the group’s induction, Spinderella reflected on her four-decade journey behind the decks.
“When I started it was a rare thing to see a woman behind turntables. It was literally the boys club. So, I just 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.
DJ Spinderella attends the Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment Indie Directors & Creators Lounge during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2025 in Park City, Utah.
Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic
“So, tonight, being the first female DJ inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it’s beyond amazing, y’all. So surreal. I carry every female DJ who ever dared to dream. Every woman who touched the turntable and said, ‘I can do that, too.’ This is for you. This is ours.”
Her induction also arrives after years of tension within the group. In 2019, Spinderella filed a lawsuit against Salt and Pepa, alleging unpaid royalties and breach of contract following her dismissal from their reunion tour.
DJ Spinderella performs at the 2023 AfroTech Conference Music Stage on November 04, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Rick Kern/Getty Images for AfroTech
The case was eventually settled that year, after the two parties reached a confidential settlement, and have since mended their differences.
Now, with her Hall of Fame honor, Spinderella’s legacy has come full circle. Once the young woman breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, she now stands as a symbol of persistence, artistry, and empowerment for generations of DJs to come.
Watch Salt-N-Pepa’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech and performance below.
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