Kendrick Lamar speaks on stage while inducting the legendary rap group N.W.A. into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Friday (April 8) at Barclays Center in New York City.
The group – made up of Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella – reunited to accept the major honor. Kathie Wright, the mother of the late Easy-E, was also there to accept his trophy on his behalf.
During their speech, N.W.A. blasted Gene Simmons for recently saying that “rap will die.”
“I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip-hop is here forever – get used to it,” MC Ren started off the speech (via LoudWire).
“The question is, ‘Are we rock ‘n’ roll?’ and I say ‘You g�”damn right we rock ‘n’ roll!’ Rock ‘n’ roll is not an instrument – rock ‘n’ roll is not even a style of music. Rock ‘n’ roll is a spirit! A spirit that’s been going since the blues, jazz, bebop, soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, heavy metal, punk rock, and, yes, hip-hop!” Ice Cube continued. “And what connects us all is that spirit – that’s what connects us all is that spirit. 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. Rock ‘n’ roll is not conforming, rock ‘n’ roll is outside the box and rock ‘n’ roll is N.W.A.”
