Kiss‘ Gene Simmons was given a high profile response to his recent assertion that “rap will die.” Simmons, who previously proclaimed that rock and roll is dead, drew the type of reaction you’d expect for both sets of comments. During N.W.A.‘s induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this weekend. MC Ren of the defunct gangsta rap pioneering group said during their acceptance speech:
“I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever. We’re supposed to be here.”
Ice Cube went on to add:
“The question is, ‘Are we rock ‘n’ roll?’ And I say—you goddamn right we rock ‘n’ roll. Rock ‘n’ roll is not an instrument. It’s not even a style of music. It’s a spirit that’s been going on since the blues, jazz, bebop, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, heavy metal, punk rock, and yes, hip-hop.”
Simmons has since fired back via Twitter, offering:
“Respectfully– let me know when @JimiHendrix gets into the hip hop hall of fame. Then youll have a point. @icecube”
