Key Takeaways

• Gene Simmons expresses strong views on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, stating hip-hop should not be included.
• Simmons argues that the Hall’s inductees should reflect rock music’s essence, citing Iron Maiden’s absence as an example.
• He acknowledges a respectful dialogue with Ice Cube but maintains his stance on genre boundaries.
• The Rock Hall has inducted several hip-hop artists, prompting debates about the definition of rock music.

Gene Simmons has strong opinions on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and he’s not backing down from them anytime soon. In a recent podcast interview, the KISS rocker reiterated his belief that the organization shouldn’t induct hip-hop stars, saying the genre “doesn’t speak [his] language.”

While guesting on LegendsNLeaders, Simmons was explaining that he thinks critics and official musical institutions can’t be trusted to determine a band or artist’s relevance when he brought up the Rock Hall as an example. “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 began.

“Ice Cube and I had a back and forth — he’s a bright guy, and I respect what he’s done,” Simmons continued. “It’s not my music. I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language. I said in print many times: Hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, nor does opera, symphony orchestras … it’s called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”

“But [Ice] shot back and said, ‘No, it’s the spirit of rock n’ roll,’” the bassist added. “OK, fine … I just want to know when Led Zeppelin’s gonna be in the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. Music has labels because it describes an approach.”

Billboard has reached out to the Rock Hall for comment.

KISS was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2014, two years after which Ice Cube earned a spot in the institution’s hallowed halls as part of pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A. The latter is one of several hip-hop stars the Hall has welcomed, along with rap icons such as Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Missy Elliott.

When Eminem was inducted in 2022, Rock Hall CEO Greg Harris defended the inclusion of the Detroit rapper — and hip-hop in general — by telling Audacy, “You listen to his music, it is as hard hitting and straight ahead as any metal song … It’s a chest punch with a message and with a power and with a rhythm and with a band.”

Ice Cube also made his case for why hip-hop deserves Rock Hall recognition when accepting N.W.A’s induction 10 years ago. “Rock n’ roll is not an instrument,” he said at the 2016 ceremony. “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. Rock n’ roll is not conforming to the people who came before you but creating your own path in music and life. That is rock n’ roll and that is us.”

Watch Simmons’ full interview on LegendsNLeaders below.