Gene Simmons Defends Controversial Rap 'Ghetto' Comments

The Kiss star doubles down on his criticism of rap artists being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Gene Simmons, the co-founder of the rock band Kiss, has once again sparked controversy with his comments about rap music and its place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In a recent podcast appearance, Simmons expressed his dislike for the induction of hip-hop artists, stating that the genre "does not belong in the rock and roll hall of fame." His use of the term "ghetto" to describe the origins of rap music has drawn widespread criticism, but Simmons is standing by his words, claiming that the term has Jewish origins and is not meant to be racist.

Why it matters

Simmons' comments have reignited the ongoing debate about the inclusivity and representation of different musical genres in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As one of the most influential figures in rock music, his views carry significant weight and have the potential to further polarize the conversation around the Hall's induction criteria.

The details

In the podcast interview, Simmons criticized the Rock Hall's decision to induct hip-hop artists like Grandmaster Flash over hard rock bands like Iron Maiden. He also had a back-and-forth with rapper Ice Cube about the issue. Simmons has a history of making controversial comments, including remarks about Prince's death and the passing of his former bandmate Ace Frehley. While he has apologized for some of his past statements, he is standing firm on his latest comments, claiming that the term "ghetto" has Jewish origins and is not meant to be racist.

  • Simmons made the comments during a Feb. 7, 2026 appearance on the LegendsNLeaders podcast.
  • The controversial remarks about the "ghetto" origins of rap music were reportedly edited out of the original YouTube video at the 38:10 time mark.

The players

Gene Simmons

The co-founder and bassist of the rock band Kiss, known for his outspoken and sometimes controversial opinions on the music industry.

Ice Cube

A renowned rapper and actor who had a back-and-forth with Simmons about the latter's comments on the induction of hip-hop artists into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Paul Stanley

The co-founder and lead singer of Kiss, who has also been critical of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's treatment of the band during their induction ceremony.

Grandmaster Flash

A pioneering hip-hop artist who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which Simmons has criticized as an inappropriate inclusion.

Iron Maiden

A British heavy metal band that Simmons believes should have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over some hip-hop artists.

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What they’re saying

“Ice Cube and I had a back and forth [about this}, Simmons continued. "He's a bright guy and I respect what he's done. It's not my music. I don't come from the ghetto. It doesn't speak my language, and I said in print many times hip-hop does not belong in the rock and roll hall of fame nor does opera symphony orchestras.”

— Gene Simmons (wupe.com)

“I stand by my words. Let's cut to the chase. The word 'ghetto,' it originated with Jews. It was borrowed by African-Americans in particular and respectfully, not in a bad way.”

— Gene Simmons (People magazine)

“Ghetto is a Jewish term ... How could you be [racist], when rock is Black music? It's just a different Black music than hip-hop, which is also Black music. Rock 'n' roll owes everything to Black music, statement of fact, period. All the major forms of American music owe their roots to Black music.”

— Gene Simmons (People magazine)

“They treated us like crap, even that night. We had trouble – how about this? – getting into the arena. We had no idea about the rundown of the show or when we were getting on stage. It was disgraceful what they did, but we won.”

— Paul Stanley, Co-founder and lead singer of Kiss (wupe.com)

What’s next

Simmons' comments are likely to continue generating controversy and debate within the music industry and among fans. It remains to be seen if he will apologize or clarify his remarks, as he has done in the past with similar controversial statements.

The takeaway

Simmons' unwavering stance on the exclusion of rap and hip-hop from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame highlights the ongoing tensions and disagreements within the music community about the criteria for induction and the representation of diverse genres. His comments have the potential to further polarize the conversation around the Hall's inclusivity and relevance in the modern music landscape.