It was a celebration last week when N.W.A. was honored for their contributions to music. The legendary rap group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, Kiss’s Gene Simmons wasn’t too happy about the “rap” group’s induction. Simmons’ lashed out and stated that he hope “rap will die.” The members of N.W.A. addressed the matter in their acceptance speeches. Ice Cube championed N.W.A.’s inclusion by stating, “Rock ‘n roll is not just a musical style but a spirit that connects people, be they bluesmen or punk rockers. Rock ‘n roll is not conforming to the people who came before you but creating your own path in music and in life,” and concluding with “That is rock ‘n roll and that is us.” MC Ren also clapped back at Simmons. “I want to say to Gene Simmons, Hip Hop is here forever. Get used to it,” stated MC Ren. Of course, Simmons didn’t accept their clap back very well and took to Twitter to throw shade at Ice Cube. “Respectfully– let me know when @JimiHendrix gets into the hip hop hall of fame. Then youll have a point. @icecube.” Gene Simmons may have a point though. Hip-Hop doesn’t recognize the achievements of musicians in other genres of music. Although hip-hop has a long history of borrowing samples from rock artists, blues artists, and such, hip-hop has never awarded other genres for their contribution to the culture. SHOULD HIP-HOP RECOGNIZE OTHER GENRES OF MUSIC IN THEIR HALL OF FAME OR AWARD SHOWS? Watch Kendrick Lamar induct N.W.A. into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as, their individual speeches below: Photo credit: Greg Allen/Invision/AP One Response
