According to the Legends N Leaders Podcast, Gene Simmons is once again questioning why rap and hip-hop artists are included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — reigniting a debate he’s been vocal about for nearly a decade.
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The KISS bassist didn’t mince words, stating, “Hip-hop does not belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame… I just wanna know when Led Zeppelin’s gonna be in the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame.” Simmons also pointed out that artists like Iron Maiden have yet to be inducted, suggesting that foundational rock acts are being overlooked while rap artists are honored.
Simmons went on to describe rap as “a spoken-word art” that “doesn’t speak my language,” comments that have quickly reignited conversation across social media. This isn’t the first time he’s taken aim at hip-hop’s place in the Hall. Back in 2016, N.W.A. famously clashed with Simmons over similar remarks, with Ice Cube arguing that rock & roll is “a spirit,” not a genre — and that hip-hop embodies that rebellious DNA.
As the debate resurfaces yet again, the broader question remains: Is rock & roll defined by sound, or by cultural impact and attitude?
