Gene Simmons, bassist for over-the-top rock band Kiss, expressed his displeasure with the state of the music industry, especially hip hop music, in an interview with Rolling Stone. This isn’t really surprising coming from an old white dude whose cultural relevance has been declining since the 1990s, but the vitriol with which Simmons makes his comments is still notable.
“I’m looking forward to the death of rap. I’m looking forward to music coming back to lyrics and melody, instead of just talking,” Gene Simmons lamented to Rolling Stone. Strong words from someone who was once considered edgy. Rap music isn’t the only thing Simmons dislikes about this decade. “I hate the Internet,” he continues, “I make a living, but to be a new band now and just give out your music for free, it’s the crime of the century.”
Simmons isn’t too far outside the norm. Plenty of former rock stars have laid into today’s rap and electronic music-dominated landscape, although most of the hate usually ends up in the lap of Kanye West. He did sort of capitulate on his hate for rap, explaining, “I don’t have the cultural background to appreciate being a gangster. Of course that’s not what it’s all about, but that’s where it comes from. That’s the heart and soul of it. It came from the streets.”
This is the modern era, Gene. Stadium rock is dead and it's not coming back. Just like your hairline with all those hair plugs.