Gene Simmons Responds to N.W.A’s Remarks at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The war of words between Gene Simmons and N.W.A are not over just yet. The KISS bassist has responded to the legendary rap group’s remarks about him during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday night (April 8).

To briefly recap, Mr. Simmons felt that N.W.A (and other rap groups for that matter) were not rock ‘n’ roll enough to be enshrined into the Rock Hall. Incredulously, he also said that rap is a fad that will die someday.

“Rap will die,” he states. “Next year, 10 years from now, at some point, and then something else will come along.”

Fast forward to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony where N.W.A was feted by their peers, including fellow Compton rhymer Kendrick Lamar. During their acceptance speech, the surviving members MC Ren and Ice Cube took Gene Simmons to task for his misinformed comments.

"I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever. We’re supposed to be here,” said Ren as the crowd cheered with approval.

“The question is, ‘Are we rock ‘n’ roll?'” Cube asked the audience. “And I say - you goddamn right we rock ‘n’ roll.”

“Rock ‘n’ roll is not an instrument. It’s not even a style of music,” he added. “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."

Simmons must have heard the message because he jumped on his Twitter account to respond to Ice Cube. He tweeted:

While Gene Simmons may have a point, the Hip Hop Hall of Fame is still growing as a brand and is not nearly as visible or large-scale as the Rock Hall. However, it wouldn't be out of place to see James Brown or Jimi Hendrix be inducted into the Hip Hop HOF. But for now, rappers being enshrined into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will have to suffice.

Who do you agree with - Gene Simmons or N.W.A? Tell us in the comments below.