Rappers respond to Gene Simmons' thought that 'hip-hop does not belong' in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame


bernard

THEE Realist
Chuck D is responding with his thoughts about hip hop's place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

On Feb. 12, the Public Enemy frontman, 65, entered the conversation, started by Gene Simmons on the Legends N Leaders podcast. The KISS bassist, 76, shared his feelings about hip-hop acts being inducted and included in exhibits at rock music's most sacred space.

“It’s not my music,” said the rocker. “I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language. And as I said in print many times, hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, nor does opera or symphony orchestras.

“The fact that, for instance, Iron Maiden is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when they can sell out stadiums, and Grandmaster Flash is... Ice Cube and I had a back and forth — he’s a bright guy, and I respect what he’s done. He shot back that it’s the ‘spirit’ of rock and roll … I just want to know when Led Zeppelin’s going to be in the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame."

Responding to a post discussing Simmons' comments, Chuck D tweeted, "Gene definitely has his opinion and it carries major weight… however it is The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame … not considering it ‘ROCK’ may hold a debatable point but clearly RAP and some other genres of movement are the ‘ROLL.' "

"Rock and Roll clearly splintered all over the place in the 1960s and big-banged ever since," he concluded.

 

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Rap music has been part of American culture for over 50 years. Even though the New York City-birthed genre became a global phenomenon, rappers still face criticism from influential figures like Kiss member Gene Simmons.

The impact of hip-hop has become so undeniable that over a dozen rap acts have been inducted into the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame since 2007. But not everyone was happy to see rap legends honored in the esteemed pantheon alongside prominent rock performers.

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Simmons, 76, remains an outspoken opponent of the Rock Hall accepting hip-hop standouts like the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, and N.W.A. being celebrated in the same manner as Kiss or other rock bands.


 
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