Gene Simmons is once again under scrutiny after questioning the inclusion of hip hop artists in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Speaking on the Legends N Leaders podcast, the KISS co founder argued that the institution should remain exclusive to traditional rock acts.

“I said in print many times that hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, nor does opera, [and] symphony orchestras,” Gene Simmons said. “How come the New York Philharmonic doesn’t get the Rock & Roll [induction]? ‘Cuz it’s called the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.”

He pointed to perceived inconsistencies in the Hall’s selections.

“The fact, for instance, that Iron Maiden is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, when they can sell out stadiums, and Grandmaster Flash is…” Simmons continued. “Ice Cube and I had a back and forth. He’s a bright guy and I respect what he’s done. It’s not my music. I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language.”

Simmons maintained that genre distinctions matter.

“Music has labels because it describes an approach,” he continued. “By and large, rap, hip-hop is a spoken-word art. You put beats in back of it and somebody comes up with a musical phrase, but it’s verbal.”

IT WAS OUR OWN FAULT
INSTEAD OF INVESTING IN A
HIP HOP HALL OF FAME

WE INVESTED IN A TRAP MUSUEM pic.twitter.com/Scy6ERgDEf

— MASTER STUDENT🤲🏾 (@MUSICANDBUILDS) February 12, 2026

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