Gene Simmons is not a Hip-Hop fan. He's made that clear on multiple occasions throughout the years. However, during a recent appearance on the "LegendsNLeaders" podcast, he went one step further by sharing his frustration that Hip Hop artists and Rappers are now being inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame.
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"It's not my music," Simmons, aka "The Demon," said. "I don't come from the ghetto. It doesn't speak my language. And as I said in print many times, hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, nor does opera or symphony orchestras. How come the New York Philharmonic doesn't get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?"
Simmons didn't stop there, though. Instead, he started pointing out some of recent history's most iconic rock bands, with Iron Maiden being a perfect example.
"Iron Maiden is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when they can sell out stadiums," Simmons said.
As the podcast continued, Simmons pointed out Ice Cube, a former member of NWA and successful solo artist turned actor and producer, who was inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame in 2016.
"Ice Cube and I had a back and forth," Simmons recalled. "He shot back that it's the 'spirit' of rock and roll ... I just want to know when Led Zeppelin's going to be in the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame?"
Gene Simmons Believes Hip Hop Is Spoken Word, Not Rock Music
In fairness, Simmons did give additional reasoning as to why he doesn't like Hip Hop, or see it as a fit for the Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame.
"Music has labels because it describes an approach. By and large, rap, hip-hop is a spoken-word art," he said. Then 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."
Unfortunately for Simmons, now that Hip Hop has been recognized by the Rock'N'Roll Hall of Fame, it's unlikely that the voting panel will start turning its back on the genre. His frustrations are fair, but it's hard to envision them having any impact on the induction process.
