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Salt-N-Pepas Cheryl "Salt" James Unveils New Music Video "Overcomers" Featuring Erica Campbell
On July 29, 2026, Cheryl “Salt” James dropped a new visual that blends gospel grit with hip‑hop swagger. The music video for her single Overcomers premiered on the duo’s official YouTube and Vevo channels, marking the latest entry in James’ solo rollout under her own label, Salt Songs, Inc.
The clip opens with a striking shot of James and gospel powerhouse Erica Campbell standing in front of a church, their voices echoing in a space that feels both sacred and celebratory. The scene shifts to a set of stairs and a gathering of women sharing a meal, intercut with close‑up shots of the two singers delivering the chorus. The imagery underscores the press release’s description of the track as a “celebration of women who have done the work, know their worth, and have the elegance to show for it.”
Overcomers follows a string of singles that have defined James’ solo campaign: “Diamond in the Light,” “Kings & Queens,” and “Chosen.” All four songs have been issued through Salt Songs, Inc. and are positioned as precursors to her debut solo album, slated for release in the spring or summer of 2026. The album’s timing places it amid a broader industry trend of artists revisiting their roots while expanding into new sonic territories.
James’ solo work is built on a foundation laid during her tenure with Salt‑N‑Pepa. The group, formed in 1985, broke through with Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986) and followed with Very Necessary (1993). Their 1995 Grammy win for “None of Your Business” and a 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award cemented their influence on hip‑hop and pop culture. In 2025, the trio was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a milestone that underscored their lasting legacy.
Erica Campbell, the featured artist on Overcomers, first rose to prominence in the late 1990s as part of the gospel duo Mary Mary with her sister Tina. Campbell’s solo debut, Help (2014), earned a top‑10 position on the Billboard 200 and a Grammy for Best Gospel Album. She has continued to release gospel and contemporary R&B music, including a 2024 collaboration that won a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song.
While James pushes her solo career forward, she remains active with Salt‑N‑Pepa. The trio announced the It’s Iconic tour, a co‑headlining trek that will begin on August 15, 2026. The tour will feature Salt‑N‑Pepa, TLC, and En Vogue and will cover 32 cities across the United States and Canada. The schedule includes amphitheaters and arenas, with tickets on sale through major distributors.
The release of Overcomers and the upcoming tour represent two parallel strategies for James: a solo artistic vision that highlights her individual voice and a collaborative legacy that keeps the Salt‑N‑Pepa brand alive in live performance. The video’s focus on women’s empowerment aligns with the group’s history of challenging gender norms in hip‑hop.
Industry observers note that the collaboration with Campbell bridges the worlds of hip‑hop and gospel, a crossover that has precedent in the group’s earlier work. For example, Salt‑N‑Pepa’s 1993 hit “Whatta Man” featured En Vogue, another powerhouse female act.
As of now, Overcomers has not charted on any major Billboard list, but the video has accumulated several million views on streaming platforms within the first week of release. The track’s lyrical content, which encourages resilience and self‑confidence, has been highlighted in press coverage as a thematic continuation of James’ earlier singles.
The It’s Iconic tour will provide a platform for James to promote her solo material while sharing the stage with other iconic acts. The tour’s schedule, announced in March 2026, is expected to run through late October, with a mix of arena and festival dates.
In summary, Cheryl “Salt” James’ new video Overcomers featuring Erica Campbell marks a significant moment in her solo career, while her participation in the It’s Iconic tour underscores her ongoing influence in the music industry. The dual focus on individual artistry and collaborative performance positions James to maintain relevance in both the hip‑hop and gospel communities.
The clip opens with a striking shot of James and gospel powerhouse Erica Campbell standing in front of a church, their voices echoing in a space that feels both sacred and celebratory. The scene shifts to a set of stairs and a gathering of women sharing a meal, intercut with close‑up shots of the two singers delivering the chorus. The imagery underscores the press release’s description of the track as a “celebration of women who have done the work, know their worth, and have the elegance to show for it.”
Overcomers follows a string of singles that have defined James’ solo campaign: “Diamond in the Light,” “Kings & Queens,” and “Chosen.” All four songs have been issued through Salt Songs, Inc. and are positioned as precursors to her debut solo album, slated for release in the spring or summer of 2026. The album’s timing places it amid a broader industry trend of artists revisiting their roots while expanding into new sonic territories.
James’ solo work is built on a foundation laid during her tenure with Salt‑N‑Pepa. The group, formed in 1985, broke through with Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986) and followed with Very Necessary (1993). Their 1995 Grammy win for “None of Your Business” and a 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award cemented their influence on hip‑hop and pop culture. In 2025, the trio was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a milestone that underscored their lasting legacy.
Erica Campbell, the featured artist on Overcomers, first rose to prominence in the late 1990s as part of the gospel duo Mary Mary with her sister Tina. Campbell’s solo debut, Help (2014), earned a top‑10 position on the Billboard 200 and a Grammy for Best Gospel Album. She has continued to release gospel and contemporary R&B music, including a 2024 collaboration that won a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song.
While James pushes her solo career forward, she remains active with Salt‑N‑Pepa. The trio announced the It’s Iconic tour, a co‑headlining trek that will begin on August 15, 2026. The tour will feature Salt‑N‑Pepa, TLC, and En Vogue and will cover 32 cities across the United States and Canada. The schedule includes amphitheaters and arenas, with tickets on sale through major distributors.
The release of Overcomers and the upcoming tour represent two parallel strategies for James: a solo artistic vision that highlights her individual voice and a collaborative legacy that keeps the Salt‑N‑Pepa brand alive in live performance. The video’s focus on women’s empowerment aligns with the group’s history of challenging gender norms in hip‑hop.
Industry observers note that the collaboration with Campbell bridges the worlds of hip‑hop and gospel, a crossover that has precedent in the group’s earlier work. For example, Salt‑N‑Pepa’s 1993 hit “Whatta Man” featured En Vogue, another powerhouse female act.
As of now, Overcomers has not charted on any major Billboard list, but the video has accumulated several million views on streaming platforms within the first week of release. The track’s lyrical content, which encourages resilience and self‑confidence, has been highlighted in press coverage as a thematic continuation of James’ earlier singles.
The It’s Iconic tour will provide a platform for James to promote her solo material while sharing the stage with other iconic acts. The tour’s schedule, announced in March 2026, is expected to run through late October, with a mix of arena and festival dates.
In summary, Cheryl “Salt” James’ new video Overcomers featuring Erica Campbell marks a significant moment in her solo career, while her participation in the It’s Iconic tour underscores her ongoing influence in the music industry. The dual focus on individual artistry and collaborative performance positions James to maintain relevance in both the hip‑hop and gospel communities.