“A lot of people are saying ‘long overdue,” Cheryl “Salt” James says of Salt-N-Pepa’s upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

“I say it’s right on time.”

Eligible since 2010, the groundbreaking trio of James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton and DJ Deidra “Spinderella” Roper — dubbed the First Ladies of Rap — will get its due with a Musical Influence Award at the Rock Hall’s annual induction ceremony on Nov. 8, in Los Angeles. Though its output is relatively light — just five studio albums released between 1986 and 1997 — Salt-N-Pepa nevertheless helped to establish a beachhead for women in hip-hop, with a distinctive approach that was empowered, defiant and commanding.

Three of those albums — including 1993’s five-times platinum “Very Necessary” — were million-sellers or better, spaw

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