Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella to Be Inducted Into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame

Legendary rap group and DJ to receive special honor during 57th annual ceremony

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Iconic rap group Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame during this year's ceremony on February 28. The honor recognizes the trailblazing artists' pioneering contributions to hip-hop and their lasting influence on the music industry and culture.

Why it matters

Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella were groundbreaking figures who helped pave the way for women in hip-hop. Their induction into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame celebrates their legacy of confidence, authenticity, and cultural impact, which continues to inspire generations of artists and fans.

The details

Cheryl 'Salt' James, Sandra 'Pepa' Denton, and Deidra 'DJ Spinderella' Roper will receive the special Hall of Fame honor during the 57th NAACP Image Awards telecast. The NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson praised the group as 'pioneers of hip-hop' who 'rewrote the rules and boldly claimed space in a genre that forever changed because of their voices, style, and undeniable talent.'

  • The 57th NAACP Image Awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Salt-N-Pepa

A legendary rap group consisting of Cheryl 'Salt' James and Sandra 'Pepa' Denton, who were pioneers in hip-hop and helped pave the way for women in the genre.

DJ Spinderella

Deidra 'DJ Spinderella' Roper, the DJ who was an integral part of the Salt-N-Pepa group and helped contribute to their groundbreaking sound and success.

Derrick Johnson

The president and CEO of the NAACP, who praised Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella as trailblazers who opened doors and inspired generations in the music industry.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As pioneers of hip-hop, Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella rewrote the rules and boldly claimed space in a genre that forever changed because of their voices, style, and undeniable talent.”

— Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO (Variety)

“Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella have built a legacy defined by confidence, authenticity, and cultural influence. They reshaped how women are seen and heard in music, creating space for bold self-expression and empowerment.”

— Connie Orlando, Executive VP of specials, music programming & music strategy at BET (Variety)

What’s next

The 57th NAACP Image Awards ceremony, where Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The takeaway

The induction of Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame celebrates the pioneering contributions of these trailblazing artists, who helped redefine hip-hop and paved the way for greater representation and empowerment of women in the music industry.