During N.W.A.’s induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame class of 2016, MC Ren addressed Gene Simmons‘ comments about how the KISS bassist/vocalist is “looking forward to the death of rap.”
“I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever,” Ren said at the 31st annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at Brooklyn, New York’s Barclays Center. “We’re supposed to be here.”
According to Billboard.com, Ren’s N.W.A. bandmate Ice Cube explained why N.W.A. and hip-hop in general belong in the Rock Hall alongside THE BEATLES, Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry.
‘The question is, ‘Are we rock ‘n’ roll?'” Cube asked the crowd. “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.
“Rock ‘n’ roll is not conforming to the people who came before you, but creating your own path in music and life. That is rock ‘n’ roll and that is us.”
During a chat with Rolling Stone to commemorate the 40th anniversary of KISS’s groundbreaking 1976 album, “Destroyer”, Simmons predicted: “Rap will die. Next year, ten years from now, at some point, and then something else will come along. And all that is good and healthy. I am looking forward to the death of rap. I’m looking forward to music coming back to lyrics and melody, instead of just talking. A song, as far as I’m concerned, is by definition lyric and melody, or just melody.”
Simmons also spoke out about his frustration with rap and hip-hop artists being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The singer/bassist argued that the likes of RUN-DMC have no place in the Rock Hall, believing that all they do is “sample and they talk, not even sing”. He told Radio.com: “You go on with your bad self and get more disco artists… A long time ago it was diluted. It’s really backroom politics, like Boss Tweed. A few people decide what’s in and what’s not. And the masses just scratch their heads. You’ve got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? RUN-DMC in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? You’re killing me! That doesn’t mean those aren’t good artists. But they don’t play guitar. They sample and they talk. Not even sing!”
Simmons later responded to a Twitter user asking if the Rolling Stone quote was accurate. “Save this,” he wrote. “Everything has it’s [sic] day. Rock. Folk. Raga. Doo Wop. New Romance. Grunge. Alternative. Rap. Wait n see.” He also tweeted: “Apparently pointing out that everything is cyclical — even music — is ‘controversial.’ People are very easily offended.”
Source: Blabbermouth
