There was never a proper definition for the rock genre. While most people have associated rock music with hardcore, distortive and aggressive sounds, there are also many examples of slow, clear, and gentle rock songs. There have been several proposed definitions of rock and roll, but many have ultimately concluded that rock music doesn’t have a single definition. However, many rock stars have some common features like big hair, rebellious actions, and onstage insanity.
In the current music industry, things seem to have changed for rock and roll. The genre has been rumored to die, and even KISS bassist Gene Simmons has firmly stated that and stood by it. As times passed and new genres like rap started to evolve, they took over rock music’s popularity from the ’70s and the ’80s. Hence the phenomenon, ‘Rap is the new rock,’ started to emerge, and rock musicians began to find themselves competing with rap and pop artists.
Corey Taylor Has Strong Opinions On Kanye West
As a contemporary hard rock, heavy metal, and brutal vocal icon, Corey Taylor has strong opinions about the current rappers, and specifically Kanye West. Taylor was not shy to oppose Ye’s claims of being the greatest living rockstar of all time. In 2015, he said, “Kanye, you are not — not — the greatest living rock star of all time. The fact that you had to tell people kind of says it all. You remind me of the guy who brags about p*ssy — they never get as much as they brag about. Stop it!”
Taylor found it ridiculous that Ye considered himself a rockstar while iconic names were still around. When Kanye claimed he was the greatest rockstar, David Bowie was still alive, which was a huge deal for Taylor. He continued, “If you’re gonna tell me that with Keith Richards still alive, with David Bowie still alive, with Paul McCartney still alive that there’s even a comparison to Kanye West, then you just need to shut up and never try to say anything smart ever again.”
Corey Taylor’s Reaction To Kanye’s Fans
Kanye West had and still has a huge fanbase. His music, production, lyrics, and unique fusion of different genres inspire his fans. Even though he has been involved in multiple personal and political scandals, especially recently, his fans never let him go. Hence when Corey reacted to his rockstar comment, he received a massive backlash from his community. They compared Slipknot’s success to Ye’s and tried to lower Taylor’s credibility.
The Slipknot frontman had no mercy and also answered those people while speaking to Billboard in 2015. The vocalist said, “The first day everybody was going, ‘Well, you know, [West] has more Grammys than Slipknot has albums. I’m like, ‘Yeah, you just made my point for me. Getting a Grammy is like getting a Teen Choice Award. Figure it out.’ And then the big thing online is these weird little armchair academics who are like, ‘Well, if you really break it down, sorry, Corey, but Kanye really is the greatest living rock star.’ And I’m like, ‘You a stop right there because you just destroyed your credibility.”
The Slipknot frontman stood by his words about Kanye. While he didn’t comment on his musical style or talents, he defended that the rapper couldn’t be the greatest rockstar while pure rock icons were still alive. It could be frustrating to see influential names being undermined by a musician who doesn’t fit the genre quite well, but Ye’s fans continued to back him up regardless.
