Gene Simmons is lighting a match under the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame again—this time by saying hip-hop flat-out does not belong there.
The KISS frontman made the remarks during a recent appearance on the LegendsNLeaders podcast, where he questioned why certain rap pioneers have been inducted while some classic rock acts remain on the outside looking in.
Simmons pointed specifically to Iron Maiden’s absence from the Hall despite decades of stadium tours, contrasting that with the induction of artists like Grandmaster Flash. While he said he respects figures such as Ice Cube, he argued that hip-hop does not fit under the banner of rock and roll.
According to Simmons, music genres exist for a reason. He compared the inclusion of rap artists in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to inducting opera singers or symphonies, insisting that the name of the institution should reflect the genre it honors.
He also referenced past conversations with Ice Cube, who has argued that rock and roll represents a spirit rather than a strict musical formula. Simmons pushed back on that idea, suggesting that while hip-hop is culturally influential, it remains fundamentally different in structure and style from traditional rock music.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has long defended its broader interpretation of “rock and roll,” saying it represents a cultural movement that spans multiple genres, including R&B, soul, and hip-hop. Artists such as N.W.A., Jay-Z, and Eminem have all been inducted under that philosophy.
Simmons, who was inducted with KISS in 2014, is no stranger to controversy. His latest comments have already sparked debate online, with some agreeing that the Hall should stay genre-specific and others accusing him of ignoring how deeply hip-hop has influenced modern music.
As the Hall continues to expand its definition of rock, the argument over who truly belongs shows no signs of quieting down.
