Rock Legend Gene Simmons Says Hip-Hop “Doesn’t Belong” in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Gene Simmons is once again sparking a debate within the music industry, firmly asserting that hip-hop and rap artists have no business being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The KISS bassist and co-founder shared his unfiltered perspective during a recent appearance on the LegendsNLeaders podcast, where he argued that the institution should stay true to its name and focus exclusively on rock music.
Simmons highlighted the omission of legendary heavy metal act Iron Maiden as a primary example of why the current induction process feels flawed to him. During the interview, Simmons questioned why stadium-filling rock acts are overlooked while hip-hop pioneers like Grandmaster Flash are honored.
He noted that he had previously engaged in a spirited debate with Ice Cube on the subject, expressing respect for the rapper’s talent but maintaining that the music simply doesn’t speak my language.
To Simmons, the distinction is clear; he believes that including rap in a rock hall is as illogical as inducting a symphony orchestra, arguing that hip-hop and rap are a spoken word art that differs fundamentally from the structural complexity of rock.
The rock icon even quipped about the perceived double standard in genre boundaries, wondering aloud when a band like Led Zeppelin would be welcomed into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame.
While Ice Cube has famously defended the inclusion of diverse genres by stating that rock and roll is a spirit of non-conformity rather than a specific instrument, Simmons remains unconvinced.
He concluded that while the genius of putting music and words together is present in many forms, the labels exist for a reason to describe a specific creative approach. As of February, Gene Simmons is far from retired despite KISS having played their final “physical” show at Madison Square Garden in late 2023.
He is currently back on the road with the Gene Simmons Band, featuring a lineup of seasoned rock veterans including Brian Tichy and Brent Woods. The group is performing a series of intimate casino and festival dates across North America and Europe, including highly anticipated stops in Louisiana and a summer headlining slot at the Alcatraz Open Air festival.
Simmons is also overseeing the massive digital transition of the KISS brand following its $300 million sale to Pophouse Entertainment. Fans are eagerly awaiting the 2027 debut of the KISS avatar show, which is being developed by Industrial Light & Magic to create a “superhero” version of the band that can perform indefinitely.
Additionally, a major big-screen biopic titled Shout It Out Loud is currently in production with director McG at the helm, which will chronicle the band’s meteoric rise to fame in the 1970s.
Outside of his musical ventures, Simmons remains a prolific entrepreneur and media personality. He continues to expand his Rock & Brews restaurant chain and frequently appears on business podcasts to discuss his philosophy on branding and financial success.
Do you agree with Gene Simmons that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should strictly represent rock music to maintain its identity? Share your thoughts in the comments.