A few weeks ago, Gene Simmons made headlines when he made the bold, and absurd, claim that rap would be dead in 10 years. N.W.A. took a little bit of time during their Rock Hall of Fame speech at Barclays Center to address what Gene said.
"I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever," MC Ren said. "We're supposed to be here."
Ice Cube went deeper by explaining why N.W.A. belongs in the Rock HOF.
"The question is, 'Are we rock 'n' roll?' 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."He ended this part of the speech with one final strong note: "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."
Watch Kendrick Lamar introduce the West Coast legends to the Hall: