Following comments made by members of N.W.A. at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Gene Simmons has answered back. Yesterday (April 9), the Kiss bassist tweeted his thoughts to Ice Cube about whether or not hip-hop acts should be part of the Hall.

Simmons wrote, "Respectfully -- Let me know when @JimiHendrix gets into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. Then you'll have a point. @icecube"

On Friday night, MC Ren said, "I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever. We're supposed to be here." Ice Cube added a passionate defense, noting that hip-hop was part of a continuum of an attitude that not only includes rock n' roll, but preceded it. "The question is, ‘Are we rock ‘n’ roll?’" he added. "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 has long been critical of rap, with his most recent salvo fired back in March. "Rap will die," he said. "Next year, 10 years from now, at some point, and then something else will come along. ... I am looking forward to the death of rap,” he pointed out. “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.”

This summer, Kiss will embark on a 25-city, two-month tour of the U.S. that sees them playing markets they haven't visited in many years. You can get all the dates here.

Kiss Albums Ranked Worst to Best

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