Gene Simmons Doubles Down: Hip-Hop Artists Don’t Belong in the Rock Hall
KISS legend Gene Simmons is once again stirring the pot regarding the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s induction criteria. In a recent podcast appearance, the veteran rocker reaffirmed his long-standing conviction that hip-hop acts should be excluded from the institution, arguing that the genre simply “doesn’t speak his language.”
During a candid conversation on LegendsNLeaders, Simmons discussed how musical institutions often lose touch with fan-driven relevance. He pointed to what he views as a glaring discrepancy in the Hall’s current roster. “The fact that Iron Maiden—a band that can sell out stadiums worldwide—remains on the outside while Grandmaster Flash is already in, is telling,” he remarked.
Simmons also touched upon his historical back-and-forth with Ice Cube. While he expressed professional admiration for the N.W.A pioneer’s intellect and career achievements, he remained firm on the genre divide. “I respect what he’s built, but it’s not my music. I didn’t grow up in that environment, and the message doesn’t resonate with me,” Simmons explained. He further clarified his stance by stating that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should stay true to its name, suggesting that genres like hip-hop, opera, and classical music belong in their own respective hallowed halls.
“Ice Cube argued that hip-hop embodies the ‘spirit’ of rock n’ roll,” Simmons noted. “That’s fine, but I want to know when Led Zeppelin is getting inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. Music categories exist for a reason—they describe a specific artistic approach.”
While Simmons remains a vocal critic, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has moved in a different direction. KISS was inducted in 2014, but the institution has since welcomed several hip-hop icons, including Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, and LL Cool J. When Eminem was inducted in 2022, Rock Hall CEO Greg Harris defended the decision, noting that the rapper’s visceral energy and rhythmic power hit just as hard as any heavy metal anthem.
Ice Cube provided the definitive rebuttal during N.W.A’s 2016 induction ceremony, famously stating that rock n’ roll is not defined by an instrument or a specific style. “It’s a spirit that has existed since the blues and jazz,” he told the crowd. “It’s about refusing to conform and carving your own path. That is rock n’ roll, and that is hip-hop.”
Watch the full interview with Gene Simmons on LegendsNLeaders below:
