Over the years, rocker KISS Gene Simmons has made his thoughts on hip-hop clear, particularly its place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
He reaffirmed his belief and shared his thoughts in a podcast appearance, reigniting discussion among fans.
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Gene Simmons said he wasn’t from the ‘ghetto’
On Feb. 7, the 76-year-old KISS bassist was a guest on the “Legends N Leaders” podcast, and while chatting with host Ben Weiss, he reiterated his long-held views on hip-hop’s place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Simmons said, “It’s not my music. I’m not from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language,” adding that he has already shared his opinion several times and continues to believe that “hip-hop has no place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, any more than opera or symphony orchestras…”
“How come the New York Philharmonic isn’t in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Because it’s called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” the rocker added.
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The rocker expressed his opinion on rap music
In an interview with rolling stone In 2016, Simmons shared his disdain for rap, telling the outlet, “I’m looking forward to the death of rap,” which he said is “just talking.”
“A song, as far as I’m concerned, is by definition lyrics and a melody…or just a melody,” he added.
The same year, hip-hop group NWA was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, according to Billboard. During their speech, MC Ren took the time to address Simmons and said, “I want to tell Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever. We’re meant to be here.”
Rapper and actor Ice Cube was also present and, in his speech, said that hip-hop is rock’n’roll:
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“Rock ‘n’ roll is not an instrument. It’s not even a style of music. It’s a spirit that has been around since blues, jazz, bebop, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, heavy metal, punk rock and yes, hip-hop.”
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Gene Simmons exchanged remarks with Ice Cube
Simmons mentioned in the podcast that he and Ice Cube had gone back and forth on the issue, with each of them expressing their opinions on why hip-hop should or should not be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“He’s a brilliant guy, and I respect what he did… He said that’s the ‘spirit’ of rock and roll… So Ice Cube and Grandmaster Flash and all those guys are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” the KISS member said. He then rhetorically asked when English rock band Led Zeppelin was going to be included in the Hip Hop Hall of Fame.
The Hip-Hop Hall of Fame was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving hip-hop culture.
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“Music has labels because it describes an approach. Hip-hop and rap are a spoken word art. There are melodies but, overall, it’s a verbal thing,” Simmons explained.
The first hip-hop group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
In 2007, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were the first hip-hop group to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The group is considered one of the pioneers of hip-hop music, using innovative techniques and merging hip-hop and DJing.
“Grandmaster and the Furious Five were innovators. Sonically, their new techniques and equipment expanded the sound of hip-hop. Lyrically, their masterpiece ‘The Message’ exposed the dirty underbelly of a landscape known for partying – and no one saw it coming,” reads a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame blurb.
Other hip-hop artists who have since been inducted include Jay-Z, Eminem, The Notorious BIG, 2 Pac, Beastie Boys and Run DMC.
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Social media users react to Gene Simmons comment
Simmons’ comments made the rounds on social media with many posting their opinions on what the rocker said.
“I like both genres. I listen to more rap than rock n roll these days. But he’s absolutely right. It’s a little weird,” one shared. “Gene is right! Rap and hip-hop aren’t even music, they’re just singing with a beat,” another added. “I don’t like Simmons, but in this case he is 100% right,” one user wrote.
One user, on the other hand, disagreed and said: “Ice Cube is right. Hip hop became the new Rock N Roll over 40 years ago.” Another commented: “Rap has more global impact than any other genre of music. Not to mention black people created Rock & Roll so yes rappers should be included.”
Many have also pointed out that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should simply be renamed the Music Hall of Fame in order to settle the debate.