Cheryl “Salt” James, the Grammy-winning pioneer from Salt-N-Pepa, has debuted her second solo single “Kings & Queens” and announced her debut solo album Salty N Lit, set for release in Spring/Summer 2026. The announcement, made from Los Angeles on January 2, 2026, underscores Salt’s commitment to using her influence for creativity and fairness in hip-hop, as she steps into a solo chapter while affirming her duo’s enduring bond. According to AllHipHop, Billboard-aligned reports, and AntiMusic, the track and video honor hip-hop’s Bronx roots, arriving one year after Salt-N-Pepa’s historic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction as the first female rap group enshrined.
The empowering “Kings & Queens,” a declaration of self-worth, legacy, and community uplift, follows Salt’s debut solo single “Chosen,” which garnered strong fan support. Both tracks preview Salty N Lit, described by Salt as a “fearless, faith-filled, and forward-thinking” project rooted in personal and spiritual themes. The music video, shot at The Hip-Hop Museum in the Bronx, serves as a tribute to the genre’s origins and supports the museum’s “$1 Dollar, 1 Mic, 1 Movement” fundraising campaign for preserving hip-hop history, per AllHipHop and AntiMusic. The Industry Cosign confirms the single’s release positions Salt as continuing her role in speaking truth and honoring culture.
Salt’s solo pivot builds on Salt-N-Pepa’s nearly four-decade legacy, including five albums with platinum-certified hits like “Push It,” “Shoop,” and “Whatta Man” from their debut Hot, Cool & Vicious. The group earned a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2022 and the Rock Hall’s Influence Award in 2025, where Salt declared in her speech: “We have to keep using our influence until the industry honors creativity the way the audience does with love, respect, and fairness, that includes streaming platforms,” as quoted by AllHipHop. In a recent interview transcribed on YouTube, Salt clarified this as a “solo project,” not a departure, stating Salt-N-Pepa remain “together as a unit” amid plans for future tours and possible new group music, while noting Spinderella’s ongoing role in discussions.
This move signals a new phase for women in hip-hop, with Salt leveraging her pioneer status to advocate for equitable industry practices and cultural preservation. As Salty N Lit approaches, it promises to blend legacy with fresh expression, potentially inspiring a wave of veteran artists reclaiming solo narratives in a streaming-dominated era, according to cross-verified reports from AllHipHop, AntiMusic, The Industry Cosign, and interview footage.
