Chad Smith Says Rap Deserves Rock Hall Recognition
Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith has weighed into the long-running debate over what kinds of artists belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, arguing that rap should be represented alongside rock. Smith made the comments during a brief airport interview, pushing back on the idea that the institution should be restricted to guitar-based music.
Speaking at LAX, Smith said some rappers “absolutely warrant” induction and suggested the Hall is not solely reserved for rock performers, TMZ reported.
Smith’s remarks were framed as a response to KISS bassist Gene Simmons, who recently criticised the Hall’s inclusion of non-rock genres. In that interview, Simmons argued that hip-hop, opera and symphony orchestras do not belong because the institution is called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and he also described hip-hop as music that does not “speak” his language.
The exchange lands at a time when Hall of Fame nominations and inductions continue to spark arguments about how the definition of rock has evolved, as well as whether the Hall should reflect cultural impact across wider popular music. Smith’s position aligns with the view that the Hall’s mission should account for artists who shaped rock’s broader ecosystem, including those who influenced and intersected with rock over decades.
While the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has inducted hip-hop acts in the past, the debate over genre boundaries shows no sign of fading, particularly as veteran rock figures continue to speak publicly about what they believe the Hall should represent. Smith’s comments add another prominent rock musician to the side arguing for a larger, more inclusive tent.
