Gene Simmons Doubles Down on Rap Comments, Says Hip-Hop ‘Is Not Rock ’n’ Roll’

Gene Simmons is standing firm.

The 76-year-old bassist and co-founder of KISS is once again speaking out about rap music being included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — and he says he has no regrets about his comments.

During a recent appearance on the Legends N Leaders podcast, Simmons questioned why hip-hop artists have been inducted into the Rock Hall while some major rock acts are still waiting.

“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…” Simmons said, referencing Iron Maiden and Grandmaster Flash. He also mentioned having a past back-and-forth with Ice Cube, calling him “a bright guy” and saying he respects his accomplishments.

Still, Simmons made clear that hip-hop doesn’t resonate with him personally.

“It’s not my music. I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language,” he said on the podcast.

“I Stand by My Words”

Speaking afterward, Simmons told PEOPLE he stands by what he said. He also addressed his use of the word “ghetto,” explaining that he did not intend it as an insult.

“Let’s cut to the chase. The word ‘ghetto,’ it originated with Jews,” Simmons said, adding that he believes the term was later adopted by African Americans “respectfully, not in a bad way.”

When asked whether his comments had any racist undertone, Simmons pushed back strongly.

“How could you be, when rock is Black music? It’s just a different Black music than hip-hop, which is also Black music,” he said.

Simmons emphasized that rock ’n’ roll owes its roots to Black artists and culture.

“Rock ’n’ roll owes everything to Black music, statement of fact, period. All the major forms of American music owe their roots to Black music,” he added.

A Long-Standing Opinion

This isn’t the first time Simmons has taken aim at rap. In a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, he predicted that “rap will die” someday, arguing that musical trends change over time.

“Next year, 10 years from now, at some point, and then something else will come along. And all that is good and healthy,” he said at the time.

He also suggested then that he didn’t have the cultural background to connect with what he described as rap’s roots in street life.

More recently, in a 2021 interview with Distractify, Simmons opened up about his own difficult childhood in Israel before moving to New York City with his mother. He described growing up without basic amenities, saying they had no refrigerator or radio and used an outdoor bathroom.

Today, Simmons acknowledges that both he and many hip-hop artists have experienced hardship. But he says he doesn’t believe in comparing struggles.

“You’re not going to win the prize with talking about, ‘My people this and my people that,’” he said. “If you want to play the card of ‘We’ve been tortured’ … us too.”

Agreeing to Disagree

Despite his criticism, Simmons insists he respects hip-hop artists and their success.

“You can agree to disagree and still respect and admire each other. That’s fine,” he said. “I have a sense of humor, and you don’t have to agree with my opinion, but I stand by my words. That’s what I believe.”

He summed up his stance with a pointed joke:

“One, I admire and respect hip-hop. Two, it is not rock ’n’ roll. And three, when are Led Zeppelin and AC/DC going to be inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame?”

Whether fans agree or not, Simmons has made one thing clear: he’s not backing down from the debate over what belongs in rock’s most famous hall.