Kiss Icon Gene Simmons Says Hip-Hop Shouldn’t Be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Gene Simmons is making headlines again, this time for his strong opinions about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The KISS bassist and co-founder recently shared his thoughts on the LegendsNLeaders podcast, saying that hip-hop and rap artists don’t belong in the Hall.
“Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should stay true to its name,” Simmons said, arguing that the focus should remain on rock music. He pointed out that legendary acts like Iron Maiden have been ignored while rap pioneers such as Grandmaster Flash are honored.
The rock star didn’t hold back about his previous debate with Ice Cube on the topic. While he respects the rapper’s talent, Simmons insisted that the music “simply doesn’t speak my language.” He explained that hip-hop is more of a spoken word art form, which he sees as fundamentally different from the structure and complexity of rock music.
Simmons even joked about the double standard in genre rules, wondering when a band like Led Zeppelin might be welcomed into a Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. Despite defenders of hip-hop arguing that rock and roll is more about a rebellious spirit than specific instruments, Simmons remains unconvinced.
“The labels exist for a reason to describe a specific creative approach,” he said. Even though KISS played their final “physical” show at Madison Square Garden in late 2023, Simmons is far from retired.
He’s currently touring with the Gene Simmons Band, performing at casinos, festivals, and special summer events across North America and Europe. Fans can look forward to stops in Louisiana and a headlining slot at the Alcatraz Open Air festival.
Simmons is also managing the digital expansion of the KISS brand after its $300 million sale to Pophouse Entertainment. A new KISS avatar show is in the works with Industrial Light & Magic, promising a “superhero” version of the band that can perform indefinitely. In addition, a big-screen biopic, Shout It Out Loud, directed by McG, is being filmed to chronicle the band’s rise to fame in the 1970s.
Outside of music, Simmons remains a busy entrepreneur. He continues to grow his Rock & Brews restaurant chain and often appears on business podcasts to discuss branding, finance, and his philosophy on success.
Do you agree with Gene Simmons that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should stick strictly to rock music, or do you think hip-hop and rap deserve a place there too? Share your thoughts in the comments.
