Cyndi Lauper and Salt-N-Pepa took center stage at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 8, delivering an energetic celebration of women in music. The event, held at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, also included performances by Outkast, Soundgarden, and Elton John. Lauper performed her classics “True Colors” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” joined by a lineup of female artists. Salt-N-Pepa were honored as the first female rap group in the Hall of Fame. The ceremony aired live on Disney+ with a streamlined version scheduled for ABC on January 1, 2026.
Main Details
Cyndi Lauper led a 4½-hour ceremony featuring performances with Raye, Avril Lavigne, and Salt-N-Pepa. Highlights included the group’s performance of “Push It,” En Vogue joining for “Whatta Man,” and Brandi Carlile performing “Black Hole Sun” with Soundgarden members. Outkast reunited on stage, though only Big Boi performed with support from Tyler, the Creator and others. Elton John paid tribute to Brian Wilson with “God Only Knows,” while David Letterman presented Warren Zevon’s guitar to Dave Keuning for The Killers’ performance.
Quotes & Reactions
Lauper reflected on her career, saying, “I know that I stand on the shoulders of the women in the industry who came before me. And my shoulders are broad enough to have the women who come after me stand on mine.” Salt-N-Pepa’s Cheryl “Salt” James highlighted their fight for their master recordings: “Kids can’t even stream our music. It’s been taken off every platform because the industry still doesn’t want to play fair.”
Impact Analysis
The ceremony underscored the growing recognition of female and minority artists in rock and hip-hop. Cyndi Lauper’s induction continues to highlight the influence of LGBTQ+ advocacy in music. Salt-N-Pepa’s recognition as the first female rap group inducted marks a milestone for hip-hop history. Performances by Soundgarden and Outkast also reinforced the ongoing relevance of 1990s rock and rap in today’s music landscape.
What’s Next
The 2025 Rock Hall induction show will air on ABC on January 1, 2026, and be available for streaming on Hulu the following day. Fans can expect additional performances and exclusive backstage interviews during the broadcast. Future announcements include updates on the master recordings dispute from Salt-N-Pepa and potential posthumous tributes for Warren Zevon and Brian Wilson.
Sources
USA TODAY: Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa shake Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Disney+: Live broadcast of the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
ABC Network: Upcoming January 1, 2026, broadcast schedule
