Ice Cube, Gene Simmons Beef Over NWA’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

“We invent it. Y’all reprint it,” emcee and “Barbershop” star fires at Kiss legend

Ice Cube Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons probably won’t be checking out “Barbershop: The Next Cut” this weekend.

The Kiss bassist took exception to gangsta rap group N.W.A.’s inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a building whose name Simmons clearly takes quite literally. Ice Cube, arguably the biggest crossover star of the infamous crew (sorry, Dr. Dre), isn’t feeling the aging rock star’s criticism.

“We invent it. Y’all reprint it,” Cube tweeted, citing Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Chubby Checker. Well, technically he invoked “Chubby Checkers,” but, whatever.

Simmons shot back on the same social media platform: “Respect NWA, but when Led Zep gets into Rap Hall of Fame, I will agree with your point.”

There was some stuff before that, like Simmons saying he’s looking forward to the “death of rap.”

And at their recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame moment, N.W.A. members Cube and MC Ren addressed Simmons directly and also the idea of including groups from a different musical genre. The short versions: hip-hop is forever, and N.W.A. is definitely rock and roll — in spirit.

Below are the tweets — let us know whose side you’re on in the comments section.

https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/719602396167450624

https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/718903122874097664

Comments