Gene Simmons has hit back after N.W.A took a thinly-veiled swipe at him in their acceptance speech at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.
N.W.A’s MC Ren directly addressed the Kiss bassist, saying (via Billboard): “I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever. We’re supposed to be here.”
Cube added: “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.
“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.”
Simmons later Tweeted: “Respectfully, let me know when Jimi Hendrix gets into the hip hop hall of fame. Then you’ll have a point. @icecube.”
The 66-year-old has previously spoken out against inducting hip-hop and pop acts into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2014 he said: “It’s really back-room politics. 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-D.M.C. 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.
“If you don’t play guitar and you don’t write your own songs, you don’t belong there.”
N.W.A entered the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame alongside Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Chicago and Steve Miller at the Staples Center in Brooklyn, New York on April 8 (Saturday).
Meanwhile, Kiss recently announced their Freedom To Rock US tour.
Kiss 2016 Freedom To Rock US tour
Jul 07: Boise Taco Bell Arena, ID
Jul 09: Eugene Matthew Knight Arena, OR
Jul 10: Kennewick Toyota Center, WA
Jul 15: Spokane Spokane Arena, WA
Jul 16: Bozeman Breeden Fieldhouse, MT
Jul 18: Colorado Springs World Arena, CO
Jul 20: Independence Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, MO
Jul 22: Lincoln Pinnacle Bank Arena, NE
Jul 23: Springfield JQH Arena, MO
Jul 25: Wichita Intrust Bank Arena, KS
Jul 27: Sioux City Tyson Events Center, IA
Jul 29: Cheyenne Cheyenne Frontier Days, WY
Jul 30: Minot North Dakota State Fair, ND
Aug 01: Mankato Verizon Wireless Center, MN
Aug 03: Duluth Amsoil Arena, MN
Aug 05: Moline iWireless Arena, IL
Aug 06: La Crosse La Crosse Center, WI
Aug 08: Milwaukee BMO Harris Bradley Center , WI
Aug 10: Green Bay Resch Center, WI
Aug 12: Fort Wayne Allen County Memorial ColiseumIN
Aug 13: Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena, MI
Aug 15: Saginaw Dow Event Center, MI
Aug 17: Springfield Illinois State Fair, IL
Aug 20: Rockford BMO Harris Bank Center, IL
Aug 22: Dayton Nutter Center, OH
Aug 24: Toledo Huntington Center, OH
Aug 26: Youngstown Covelli Centre, OH
Aug 27: Erie Erie Insurance Arena, PA
Aug 29: Rochester Blue Cross Arena, NY
Aug 30: State College Bryce Jordan Center, PA
Sep 01: Allentown Great Allentown Fair, PA
Sep 03: Worcester DCU Center, MA
Sep 04: Portland Cross Insurance Arena, ME
Sep 07: Bridgeport Webster Bank Arena, CT
Sep 09: Richmond Richmond Coliseum, VA
Sep 10: Huntington Big Sandy Arena, WV
