Ice Cube: Gene Simmons ‘Just Wrong’ About Rap Artists in Rock Hall
KISS' Gene Simmons recently stirred up a discussion that's generated a lot of response, stating that he's looking forward to the death of rap music, feeling that something will eventually come along and replace it. That has since evolved into discussion on whether rap and hip-hop acts belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, something that new Rock Hall inductees N.W.A. addressed during their induction speeches. The conversation has continued beyond the Rock Hall induction, with Simmons and Ice Cube sharing opinions back and forth.
During their induction, MC Ren addressed Simmons directly, stating, "Hip-hop is here forever -- get used to it." Meanwhile, Ice Cube took on the broader topic of if rap belongs in the Rock Hall, explaining, “The question is, ‘Are we rock ‘n’ roll?’ and I say ‘You g–damn right we rock ‘n’ roll!’ Rock ‘n’ roll is not an instrument — rock ‘n’ roll is not even a style of music. Rock ‘n’ roll is a spirit! A spirit that’s been going since the blues, jazz, bebop, soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, heavy metal, punk rock, and, yes, hip-hop!"
He continued, "What connects us all is that spirit — that’s what connects us all is that spirit. 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. Rock ‘n’ roll is not conforming, rock ‘n’ roll is outside the box and rock ‘n’ roll is N.W.A.”
After the comments, Simmons fired back, stating via Twitter, "Respectfully-- let me know when @JimiHendrix gets into the hip hop hall of fame. Then you'll have a point. @icecube." But it didn't stop there. Cube shot back, "@genesimmons Who stole the soul? Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Chubby Checkers help invent Rock 'n' Roll. We invent it. Y'all reprint it." Before Simmons continued, "Cube - I stand by my words. Respect NWA, but when Led Zep gets into Rap Hall of Fame, I will agree with your point."
Ice Cube then took the discussion to Howard Stern for his radio show. "I think [Gene] believes [the Hall Of Fame is] straight for rock and rollers," said the rapper. "I got a lot of respect for Gene Simmons. I met him a couple of times, he's actually pretty cool. But I just think he's wrong on this."
He continued, "Everybody's got their own opinions and Gene, he's an OG in the game, but he's just wrong on this. It's a spirit and it's been going on since before they called it rock and roll."
KISS will be back on tour this summer. Keep up with all of their tour dates here.
Ice Cube Discusses N.W.A.'s Rock Hall Induction With Howard Stern
See Where Gene Simmons + Others Rank Among the Top 50 Hard Rock + Metal Bassists of All Time
10 Unforgettable Gene Simmons Moments