KISS’ Gene Simmons Slams Rap in Rock Hall: “When’s Led Zeppelin Getting Into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame?”
Photo by V-spectrum, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gene Simmons, bassist and co-lead vocalist of KISS, has long been known for his bold statements and controversial opinions. Over decades in rock, he has never shied away from criticism or public debate. In recent years, some of his remarks, particularly about the state of rock music and the place of rap and hip-hop in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, have generated heated responses across social media and in interviews.
Simmons’ comments often spark discussion because they touch on both the cultural significance of rock music and the evolving definition of popular music. He has repeatedly questioned whether rap belongs in a hall dedicated to rock, while defending classic rock acts that have built large, devoted followings over decades.
Early Controversies Over Rap
Back in 2016, Simmons made headlines for his comments about rap music in an interview with Rolling Stone. He said:
“I am looking forward to the death of rap. I’m looking forward to music coming back to lyrics and melody, instead of just talking. A song, as far as I’m concerned, is by definition lyric and melody … or just melody.”
He elaborated, predicting rap’s decline:
“Rap will die, next year, 10 years from now, at some point, and then something else will come along. And all that is good and healthy.”
Simmons also noted his difficulty connecting with the genre culturally.
“I don’t have the cultural background to appreciate being a gangster. Of course that’s not what it’s all about, but that’s where it comes from. That’s the heart and soul of it. It came from the streets.”
That same year, he publicly criticized the induction of gangsta rap legends N.W.A. into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The dispute came to a head during N.W.A.’s acceptance speech when MC Ren addressed Simmons directly:
“I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever. We’re supposed to be here.”
Ice Cube added:
“The question is, ‘Are we rock ‘n’ roll?’ And I say—you goddamn right we rock ‘n’ roll. Rock ‘n’ roll is not an instrument. It’s not even a style of music. It’s a spirit that’s been going on since the blues, jazz, bebop, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, heavy metal, punk rock, and yes, hip-hop.”
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The Feud Continues Online
Following the ceremony, Simmons responded to Ice Cube on social media:
“Respectfully– let me know when @JimiHendrix gets into the hip hop hall of fame. Then youll have a point. @icecube.”
Ice Cube fired back, pointing to the roots of rock:
“@genesimmons Who stole the soul? Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Chubby Checkers help invent Rock ‘n’ Roll. We invent it. Y’all reprint it.”
Simmons countered once more:
“Cube – I stand by my words. Respect NWA, but when Led Zep gets into Rap Hall of Fame, I will agree with your point.”
The public exchange escalated further. MC Ren criticized Simmons and KISS in a Rolling Stone interview, calling KISS a gimmick band and describing Simmons as arrogant, adding fuel to an already heated debate.
Simmons Doubles Down
Nearly a decade later, Simmons remains firm in his views. In a recent interview on the Legends N Leaders Podcast, he revisited the topic, emphasizing his criteria for relevance in music:
“Well, there’s ‘popular’ and then there are words like ‘relevance’. Who determines relevance? Critics? What is that word? How do you [become] relevant? Who does that? Or is it the American ideal? Of the people, for the people, by the people. The first words are ‘we the people’. That’s relevance to me… The fact that, for instance, Iron Maiden is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, when they can sell out stadiums, and Grandmaster Flash is.”
He also addressed his previous exchange with Ice Cube and N.W.A.:
“Ice Cube and I had a back-and-forth, and he’s a bright guy and I respect what he’s done. It’s not my music. I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language. And I said in print many times, hip-hop does not belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, nor does opera, symphony orchestras. How come the New York Philharmonic doesn’t get [inducted into] the Rock And Roll [Hall Of Fame]? ‘Cause it’s called the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. But he shot back and said, No, it’s the spirit of rock and roll. Okay, fine. So Ice Cube and Grandmaster Flash and all these guys are in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. I just wanna know when Led Zeppelin‘s gonna be in the Hip-Hop Hall Of Fame. ‘Oh, you can’t do that?’ Oh, really?”
On Music as an Art Form
Simmons further outlined his philosophy on musical labels and structure:
“Music has labels because it describes an approach. By and large, rap, hip-hop is a spoken-word art. You put beats in back of it and somebody comes up with a musical phrase, but it’s verbal. There are some melodies, but by and large it’s a verbal thing — it’s rhyming and all that. And I know Eminem can [rap really quickly]. I wish him more success. I really don’t give a fuck. It just doesn’t speak to me. With the genius of being able to put words and music and arrange it, it’s much more complex.
The hardest thing to do is to write a simple, memorable song. Much easier is to do EDM… And by the way, I’m a fan of it. I love anything that makes people happy. But in terms of talent? … There are no tribute bands to Skrillex. Nobody covers those songs. And by the way, when you go to an EDM concert, I love the passion and the fans taking crack and sticking it up their ass, whatever they do.
I’ve never been high. You’re 19. You’re trying to get laid. You can’t form a sentence. So you take some medicine and then all of a sudden you’re fluent and things happen. I understand the ritual. It’s tribal. There’s not a garage band, a new band that goes, ‘Fuck. The Swiss Mafia [presumably Swedish House Mafia] have got this thing that I love. Let’s try to do a version of it and play it in the club.’ Nobody does that.”
On the State of Rock and the Music Industry
Simmons also reflected on changes in the industry and the challenges facing new artists:
“I think it’s wonderful. I’ve seen some amazingly talented people, but the saddest thing of all is that the industry, the business… It’s always been called music ‘business’. The fools, the hippies, the socialists, the communists think it’s called music. No. Even in the Renaissance, the only way the classical musicians survived is that they had to be sponsored. Mozart piano concertos and all that, somebody had to pay for that.
The biggest problem is that the next Beatles, the next Elvis is not gonna have a chance because record companies don’t give out advances. There’s no business. Fans are downloading for zero, next to it, so if you’re a musician, you can’t get paid for your art.
I’ve seen so many talented musicians, artists, singers, all these people that get up on ‘The Voice‘ and ‘American Idol‘ — a lot of people have talent. They’ll be back at the Holiday Inn singing ‘Hang On Sloopy‘ or something.”
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Comparing Musical Eras
Simmons offered a broad perspective on how music has changed over the decades:
“1958 until 1988 — that’s 30 years. Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Hendrix, Stones, Pink Floyd — you can go on — music still resonates to the highest degree. Beatles just had another No. 1. By the way, that includes Bowie, Prince, Motown, the heavy bands. AC/DC, ourselves, if you like — we came out in the early ’70s. Aerosmith — your favorite, what’s called classic rock or pop or all that.
And then from 1988 until today — where are The Beatles? Where’s Hendrix? Where’s that artist that shakes the rafters? You have popular artists. Taylor [Swift] has been the most popular artist, perhaps of all time. That does not move the needle. New bands don’t form and say, ‘Let’s do 10 Taylor songs.’ No, that’s fame versus something deeper. So when you go to see a bar band, they’re gonna be playing the song. They’ll play ‘Freebird,’ they’ll play ‘Satisfaction,’ they’ll play the songs that have stood the test of time.
You know what the biggest song of all time was? ‘Gangnam Style.’ Billions, billions of downloads. They were massive. Does that move the needle? No. It’s good fun. Like sugar. You get that [instant energy boost], and then it’s gone. Very few things stick to the bones.”
