NWA was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame last night in New York City. They’re only the fifth hip hop act to ever receive the accolade, putting them in the company of Gand Master Flash, Run DMC and Public Enemy. This was a huge honor, not just for hip hop, but for gangster rap specifically.

Hip hop heavyweight and student of NWA Kendrick Lamar, was on hand to pay homage to the legends; expressing how much they impacted him as a young kid from Compton. Notable for stirring up controversy, Ice Cube addressed the haters who don’t see a place for hip hop in the hall of fame, while giving his induction speech.  “Are we rock n roll?” “You goddamn right we rock n roll. Rock n roll is not an instrument. It’s not even a style of music. Rock n roll is a spirit thats been going on since the blues, jazz, bebop, soul, rock n roll and yes, hip hop.”

Earlier this year Kiss frontman Gene Simmons had some choice words in a Rolling Stone interview regarding the hip hop culture.”I’m looking forward to the death of rap,” he states. “I’m looking forward to music coming back to lyrics and melody instead of just talking.” MC Ren also fired back during the ceremony, addressing Gene Simmons directly. “I want to say to Mr. Gene Simmons that hip hop is here forever.”

Something that will be noticeably missing  from the televised award show, airing April 3oth, is an epic NWA performance.  Ice Cube told the New York Times that he didn’t feel the group received the support they needed in order to put on a hall of fame worthy performance. Putting fan disappointment to the side, NWA is an iconic staple in the history of hip hop and gangster rap music. They paved the way for the gritty untamed sound Bay Area music is so known for. Salute to the godfathers of gangsta for their remarkable achievement! @_CourtneyCherry

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