Gene Simmons is once again voicing his disapproval of hip-hop’s place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, stating he doesn’t connect with the genre on a personal level.
In a recent interview with the YouTube channel LegendsNLeaders, the KISS frontman explained his stance, saying, “It’s not my music. I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language.”
Simmons reiterated his long-held belief that hip-hop doesn’t belong alongside rock in the Hall of Fame, comparing it to including opera or a symphony orchestra. “I said in print many times hip-hop does not belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame,” he stated. “Nor does opera, symphony orchestra. How come the New York Philharmonic doesn’t get [in Rock Hall]? ‘Cause it’s called the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.”
Foto: Profimedia.cz
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio
This isn’t the first time Simmons has publicly criticized the Hall’s inclusion of hip-hop artists. He previously engaged in a debate with rapper Ice Cube on the subject. Simmons recalled the conversation, explaining that he views hip-hop as more of a spoken-word art form than a musical one.
“Ice Cube is a bright guy and I respect what he’s done,” Simmons said. “He told me that hip-hop is the spirit of rock and roll. So he and others are in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. I just want to know when Led Zeppelin is gonna be in the Hip-Hop Hall Of Fame…” He further described rap as “a spoken word art…you put beats in the back of it and somebody comes up with a musical phrase.”
Ice Cube previously responded to Simmons’ comments, disagreeing with his assessment. According to Cheatsheet.com, Cube believes rap embodies the essence of rock and roll.
“Rap is a piece of rock and roll, but there’s a piece of soul, a piece of rhythm and blues, a piece of blues, all that music that came before it,” Ice Cube said. “I think rap captures the spirit of rock and roll. Guys who do rock and roll capture the same spirit, but they can go in different directions. It’s still the same spirit.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, established in 1983, recognizes influential artists and figures in the history of rock music, with annual inductions beginning in 1986. The debate over genre inclusion continues to be a talking point within the music industry, as the Hall of Fame evolves to reflect the changing landscape of popular music.
