Gene Simmons criticizes the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for inducting hip-hop acts, saying rap isn’t music and doesn’t belong in a rock institution.

Gene Simmons, co-founder of KISS, has renewed his criticism of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for inducting hip-hop artists, arguing that rap is not true music but spoken-word with beats and does not align with rock’s traditions. Speaking on February 11, 2026, he questioned the Hall’s criteria, noting that bands like Iron Maiden remain uninducted while hip-hop acts such as N.W.A., Jay-Z, and Missy Elliott have been honored. Simmons, who said he doesn’t relate to hip-hop’s origins, reiterated his long-standing view that the genre doesn’t belong in a rock-focused institution, sparking renewed debate over the Hall’s evolving definition and inclusivity.