Rock Legend Gene Simmons Says Hip-Hop “Doesn’t Belong” in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

by

Gene Simmons of KISS is causing controversy again, this time by stating that hip-hop and rap artists don’t belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

During an interview on the LegendsNLeaders podcast, Simmons explained that the Hall of Fame should focus solely on rock music. He pointed to the fact that Iron Maiden hasn’t been inducted as a key example of what he sees as a problem with the selection process, questioning why major rock bands are overlooked while hip-hop pioneers like Grandmaster Flash are honored.

Simmons has previously discussed this with Ice Cube, acknowledging the rapper’s talent but maintaining that the genres are too different for him to consider them part of rock. He believes that including rap in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is like inducting a symphony orchestra, arguing that hip-hop is a form of spoken word that isn’t structurally similar to rock music.

The legendary musician jokingly pointed out what he sees as a contradiction: questioning why a band like Led Zeppelin wouldn’t be considered for the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame.

Although Ice Cube has long argued that rock and roll is about a rebellious attitude – a spirit of breaking rules – rather than just specific instruments, Simmons isn’t buying it.

He believes that while musical talent exists across all genres, labels are important because they define unique creative styles. Despite KISS playing what they’ve called their last major concert at Madison Square Garden in late 2023, Gene Simmons is still very active.

He’s currently touring with the Gene Simmons Band, which features experienced rock musicians like Brian Tichy and Brent Woods. The band is playing shows at smaller venues and festivals throughout North America and Europe, with upcoming performances in Louisiana and a headlining appearance at the Alcatraz Open Air festival this summer.

Simmons is leading the digital transformation of the KISS brand after its $300 million sale to Pophouse Entertainment. Fans are excited for the 2027 premiere of a digital avatar show created by Industrial Light & Magic, which will feature a “superhero” version of the band capable of performing forever. A major movie about the band, titled Shout It Out Loud and directed by McG, is also being filmed, telling the story of KISS’s incredible success in the 1970s.

Beyond making music, I’ve always been fascinated by how Gene Simmons built his empire. He’s still a seriously active entrepreneur – his Rock & Brews restaurants are constantly growing, and he’s often on podcasts sharing his insights on building a brand and achieving financial success. It’s really interesting to hear his perspective!

Read More

2026-02-12 22:15