Hip-Hop royalty took center stage as Outkast and Salt-N-Pepa were officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — a celebration of legacy, innovation, and cultural impact that spanned generations.
The groundbreaking duo Salt-N-Pepa, inducted by Missy Elliott, were honored for shattering barriers for women in hip-hop and bringing empowerment to the forefront of popular music.
Meanwhile, Outkast’s induction stood as a tribute to Southern creativity and fearless originality, with Childish Gambino, Big Boi, and J.I.D. leading the charge.
The ceremony was electric, featuring tributes across eras: JID and Big Boi set things off, followed by Doja Cat’s performance of the duo’s 2000 single “Ms. Jackson.”
Tyler, the Creator delivered “B.O.B,” Janelle Monáe took on “Hey Ya,” Sleepy Brown and Big Boi reunited for “The Way You Move,” and Killer Mike closed with “The Whole World.”
It was a night that underscored Hip-Hop’s evolution — and its rightful place in rock history. VIBE shares 10 memorable moments from the occasion that gave insight into the makings of two of the culture’s most legendary acts.
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Salt-N-Pepa’s Influence On Missy Elliott
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RRHOF Missy Elliott paid heartfelt tribute to Salt-N-Pepa during their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, crediting the pioneering trio for paving the way for her own success.
“I watched these three ladies from high school. And the reason that you even know Missy Elliot name is because of Salt, Pepa, and Spinderella. They inspired me to become a MC. And see, when they came up in this game, it was more male rappers [than female rappers.]
“The female rappers had to step to the mic and show that they could go toe-to-toe with the guys, and Salt and Pepa and Spinderella did it effortlessly.”
Elliott added, “They made women like me feel heard and empowered.” Their fearless confidence and boundary-breaking lyrics continue to echo through her music today.
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Salt-N-Pepa’s Ongoing Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group For Ownership Of Their Masters
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RRHOF During their recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Salt-N-Pepa used the spotlight to call out Universal Music Group for allegedly removing their catalog from streaming platforms amid their ongoing legal battle for ownership of their master recordings.
“We’re in a fight right now for our masters that rightfully belong to us,” group member Salt said. “After 40 years, as we celebrate this moment, fans can’t even stream our music. It’s been taken down from all streaming platforms because the industry still doesn’t want to play fair. Salt-N-Pepa have never been afraid of a fight. This is the Influence Award.
“We have to keep using our influence until the industry honors creativity the way the audience does with love, respect, and fairness. And that includes streaming platforms, too. Hip hop gave us a voice and we’ll keep using it.”
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Salt-N-Pepa’s Mended Relationships With Spinderella And Hurby ” Luv Bug” Azor Reuniting
Image Credit: Kevin Kane/Getty Images for RRHOF After years of personal and public ups and downs, legendary hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa have shown a powerful display of unity, reaffirming their bond with longtime DJ Spinderella and producer Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor.
The group, whose dynamic history includes both chart-topping success and highly publicized disputes, recently appeared to have mended their differences. During a heartfelt moment, Salt expressed deep gratitude and reconciliation.
“To Pep’ and Spin, I love you ladies. Being together again feels so good,” group member Salt said. “We made history. God bless you. Thank you, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thank you, our super producer, Hurby. Thank you, Jesus. Keep pushing it.”
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Pepa Mourning The Passing Of Her Mother
Image Credit: Amy Sussman/WireImage During an emotional moment, Pepa opened up about a profound personal loss, revealing that her mother had recently passed away.
The hip-hop icon shared heartfelt words of gratitude and reflection. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, so I understood and learned that to take the good with the bad. I just want to say a personal thing. I want to honor my mom that just passed away and she was my strength, my guidance.”
She continued to speak on her mother’s impact on her life and personal drive. “She taught me love, how to persevere and I just want to thank you, mom, for everything.”
Pepa’s touching tribute reminded fans of the deep family roots that have always grounded her journey.
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Outkast’s Debut Album Left Childish Gambino In Awe
Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF For Childish Gambino, Outkast’s music wasn’t just a soundtrack — it was a revelation. Growing up in Georgia, he found a reflection of his world and imagination within the duo’s experimental sound and unapologetic Southern flair.
“When I first played this album, I heard De La Soul, Pharcyde, Kilo Ali, Funkadelic, Live Color, Eddie Hazel, Prince. I heard all of that, but I also heard the kid I ride the bus with and the uncle that gives you $10 when he’s drunk. I heard the people around me. It was a groundbreaking mix. It showed me that being an artist really means you just need to be an observer.”
For Gambino, Outkast’s fearless fusion of styles and storytelling not only expanded his creative horizons but also inspired him to embrace authenticity as the core of his artistry.
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Outkast’s Brotherly Bond Inspired Childish Gambino To Create ‘Atlanta’ With His Brother
Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF Before Atlanta became a cultural phenomenon, its roots were planted in the creative spark Donald Glover — a.k.a. Childish Gambino — felt from Outkast’s genre-defying artistry.
The duo’s balance of contrasting styles and shared purpose inspired Glover to team up with his brother, Stephen Glover, to create a show that captured the surreal rhythm of Black life in the South.
Reflecting on that influence, Glover shared, “To Big Boi and Andre, I want to personally personally thank you. Around the time Speakerboxxx/[The] Love Below came out, I wrote a letter from college to my brother and I said I had a dream that we wrote a show together.
“Thank you for showing me that brothers may not always see eye to eye in their philosophies or styles, but they need each other in a world that would rather see them both fail.
Together you proved that art can argue and harmonize all at once in an industry designed to capitalize on our fight and gave me great solace. Your influence echoes in everything and every artist I love.”
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Goodie Mob’s Mentorship Of Outkast
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic When Outkast took the stage to accept their long-awaited induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they didn’t stand alone.
In true Southern tradition, André 3000 and Big Boi called up members of the legendary Dungeon Family — the collective that nurtured their rise and reshaped Atlanta’s musical landscape.
Surrounded by friends and collaborators, André reflected on their deep-rooted bond, saying, “My Goodie Mob brothers. Goodie Mob influenced us so hard. They sharpened us. We were the younger brothers. There was so many conversations we had. They kept us on the right track.”
The reclusive lyricist further expounded on the sentiment, emphasizing the power of community over celebrity. “I think it’s important that all these people [are] on stage the reason why it was important what’s up.
“The reason why it’s important because a lot of times when bands or individuals get up here and it’s about the musicians and and we talk about the music a lot, but a lot of times it’s it’s a lot more than just the notes or the instruments that you’re playing. It’s everybody that’s around you. It’s the uh the family. And this is my family.”
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The Wade Family’s Role In Their Success
Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF The legacy of the Dungeon Family extends far beyond music — it’s also a story of sacrifice, community, and family.
During a heartfelt tribute, members reflected on the crucial role played by late producer and Dungeon Family founder Rico Wade’s mother, Beatrice Wade, whose home became the birthplace of Southern hip-hop innovation.
“Miss Beatrice Wade, they had to sacrifice their home for us to make music. This was the place called The Dungeon where we all went in a basement making music and doing nefarious things as well, but these people [children]. Keisha and Kita had to go to school the next morning and we’re bumping til [around] 6:00 in the morning.
“Smoking weed so it’s coming through the vents and they have to go to school the next day. They 12 [or] 15 [years-old]. So all the sacrifices that go into a group, it’s not just the actual band. Like it’s the wives, it’s the girlfriends, it’s the girl you broke up with that that pissed you off that made you write a song. All of that is important.”
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Outkast’s Atlanta Hip-Hop Heroes
Image Credit: Amy Sussman/WireImage Outkast often credits the underground and unsung artists of Atlanta for shaping their sound and work ethic.
Reflecting on their early influences, they recalled, “We got Kilo, we got Raheem the Dream, these were our heroes. We were watching dancers in Atlanta; dance groups were our heroes growing up.
“The first time I actually even went to a studio was a session with Rico [Wade] for East Point Chain Gang. [The] first time I ever seen a real studio. So, these things were important to see how to be professional in the studio. I mean, we ain’t had no money with no real studio, but it did what it had to do.”
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Outkast’s Respect For East Coast Hip-Hop
Image Credit: Kevin Kane/Getty Images for RRHOF Outkast has always credited their peers as both challengers and sources of inspiration, fueling their creativity and pushing them to innovate.
Reflecting on the impact of other artists, they explained, “A lot of people they say it’s about me or I did this, but it’s has a lot to do with the bands that were out at the same time that would influence us. All the rappers that were out, from Busta Rhymes to to Missy to Nas to Wu-Tang.”
By observing and learning from these contemporaries, Outkast honed their unique sound, blending Southern flair with broad hip-hop influences, proving that artistic growth often thrives through community and competition.
