Rock legend Gene Simmons is once again stirring debate after criticizing the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for inducting rap artists. In a recent appearance on the Legends N Leaders podcast, the KISS co‑founder doubled down on long‑held beliefs that hip‑hop doesn’t belong in an institution dedicated to rock music.
Gene Simmons criticizes rap’s inclusion in the Rock Hall. Full story: https://t.co/YEMum2UFcZ pic.twitter.com/zW5McIuCcI
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 11, 2026
Simmons pointed to artists like Grandmaster Flash being inducted while bands like Iron Maiden remain excluded, questioning the Hall’s criteria and direction. He emphasized that rap “doesn’t speak [his] language,” adding that he “doesn’t come from the ghetto,” and argued that hip-hop is fundamentally a spoken‑word art form rather than a musical style aligned with rock’s traditions.
