I just wanted to take a few minutes to defend why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has chosen to induct Run DMC, an 80’s iconic rap/hip hop group. I realize that Run DMC and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are getting a lot of hate and bashing for this because simply you think they are not rock, they are a rap/hip hop group.

You may not think Run DMC songs are rock, but if you actually listen to their music, you would hear the rock influence in their music. They are strictly hip hop, yes, but a lot of their music are rock and roll influenced. They are the ones that started this whole rap and rock thing. It’s no secret, that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been inducting acts in all genres of rock music… everything from regular rock, blues rock, country rock, southern rock, metal, disco, pop/rock, and now they are starting to induct rap/rock artists. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame does not have to be “pure rock” only, because you must know that rock and roll is the roots to all genres of music. That’s why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been inducting artists/bands in every genre that’s rock influenced. If you can’t understand how this stuff works and why they do this, then I believe you have no business being a music fan in the first place. I think it’s idiotic, silly and lame…that people bash the Hall of Fame because they induct artists that aren’t strictly rock and roll only. The Hall of Fame have been inducting artists in various genres ever since the Hall of Fame started in 1986, starting off with inducting such artists as Chuck Berry, James Brown, The Everly Brothers, etc.

The Hall of Fame will not induct rap artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 2pac, Notorious BIG, etc. Simply because they are strictly gangster rap with no rock influence. Run DMC got the induction ’cause their songs are rock influenced. See the deal here?  Run DMC is the first rap group to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, so I can understand why people would think it’s weird. Will the Hall of Fame, induct another rap group? Yes, absolutely. As long as a rap artist has rock influences in their music, they will be eligible. Lets take the Beastie Boys as an example, they are strictly a mix of both rap and rock. I can definitely see the Beastie Boys being inducted in the next couple of years ’cause their first single “Fight For Your Right to Party” was released in 1986, and they are getting close to 25 years. So the Beastie’s will probably end up being the next rap group to be inducted in the future.

You must understand the roots of rock music, how it influences other genres. This is how the Hall of Fame works and how to decide their artists. They don’t base it on their popularity and record sales or fanbase, it’s all about the artists legacy, love ’em or hate ’em. As far as Run DMC goes, I enjoyed their music, I wasn’t that big of a fan and never bought their records, but I understood their legacy and understood why these guys are part of rock n’ roll.

Kev