KISS legend Gene Simmons is continuing to defend himself after backlash to his remarks about rappers as ‘ghetto.’
“I have more questions. When will Led Zeppelin and NWA be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. And when will Garth Brooks & AC/DC be inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame. I stand by my words!”
I have more questions. When will Led Zeppelin and NWA be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. And when will Garth Brooks & AC/DC be inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame. I stand by my words!
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) February 14, 2026
I agree with the legendary Chuck Berry. And kindly note, I was asked by the Berry family to do the eulogy at Chuck Berry‘s funeral. It’s on YouTube… I stand by my words. https://t.co/mBqTak6G2f
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) February 14, 2026
I stand by my words. But don’t argue with me. Argue with one of the founders of Rock n Roll: The legendary Chuck Berry. Ray Charles also said “..Rap is not my kind of music.”..,I win! pic.twitter.com/JqtGjE4THd
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) February 14, 2026
Gene Simmons has addressed backlash over a controversial remark he made about hip-hop music. During a recent appearance on the “Legends N Leaders” podcast, the KISS bassist criticized the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for inducting hip-hop artists.
“The fact that, for instance, Iron Maiden is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when they can sell out stadiums, and Grandmaster Flash is… Ice Cube and I had a back and forth — 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,” Simmons said, in part.
His use of the word “ghetto” in regards to hip-hop quickly faced backlash on social media. Now, in a new interview with People, the musician is defending his remarks.
“I stand by my words,” Simmons said, before attempting to justify the language he used.
“Let’s cut to the chase. The word ‘ghetto,’ it originated with Jews,” he claimed. “It was borrowed by African Americans in particular and respectfully, not in a bad way.”
When asked whether he intended any racist undertone with his choice of words, Simmons denied the accusations before crediting the African American community for the creation of rock music.
“Ghetto is a Jewish term … How could you be, when rock is Black music? It’s just a different Black music than hip-hop, which is also Black music,” he said. “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.”
