Rapper Blasts Gene Simmons' 'Rap Will Die' Comments: 'KISS Ain't Rock - It's Marketing'

US hip hop artist Talib Kweli has taken exception to comments made by KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, who said in a recent interview that he is "looking forward to the death of rap" and has since called out the bassist in a series of tweets.

Kweli, who is known as one-half of rap duo Blackstar alongside acclaimed artist Mos Def, took a shot at Simmons' comments on Twitter after posting a screen shot of the quote in question.

"Would it be unfair of me to say I'm looking forward to the death @genesimmons or nah?" Kweli tweeted, adding, "Chuck Berry shits on Kiss."

The 40-year-old rapper went on to reference a tweet Simmons posted a day earlier, who defended his comments by saying that everything, including music, is cyclical.

"Pointing out everything is 'cyclical' is different than 'looking forward' to things dying," Kweli tweeted.

"Do better Gene."

Kweli took another sledge at KISS by suggesting the band are a marketing act.

Simmons has done his best to brush off any criticism he received from his comments, which included him insisting that "rock is dead".

Amongst the numerous tweets the rocker posted online defending his words, Simmons said, "Don't take everything so seriously folks. I don't. Everyone's got an opinion--and you don't have to agree with mine."

Check out all the tweets below.

Would it be unfair of me to say I'm looking forward to the death @genesimmons or nah? Chuck Berry shits on Kiss. pic.twitter.com/ZNGkeAjaGT

— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) March 18, 2016

Apparently pointing out that everything is cyclical - even music - is "controversial". People are very easily offended.

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 18, 2016

Pointing out everything is "cyclical" is different than "looking forward" to things dying. Do better Gene. https://t.co/7OJHZLHPdf

— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) March 18, 2016

Rock has also saved countless lives. No one is dissing rock. Kiss ain't rock. It's marketing. Try to keep up. https://t.co/nHZZ5dLD9O

— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) March 19, 2016

I had no problem w KISS til Simmons bitch ass opened his mouth about rap. Let's go lyric for lyric tho. Me vs KISS. https://t.co/3o9PCXkY9d

— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) March 19, 2016

Me: Rock is dead
people: outrage!
Me: Rap will probably die eventually.
People: outrage!
Me: the sky is blue.
People: sometimes it's orange!

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 18, 2016

Don't take everything so seriously folks. I don't. Everyone's got an opinion--and you don't have to agree with mine. pic.twitter.com/8mapkyMZyH

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 18, 2016