Despite a fiery acceptance speech, N.W.A.opted not to perform.
(The fifth act inducted, Cheap Trick, was unimpeachable.)
EW was on the scene at the Barclays Center read on for the evenings highlights.
Credit: Timothy A. Clary/Getty Images
I had never seen anyone get so physical with his organ, Ulrich said of keyboardist Jon Lord.
But I was only 9.
He also made an impressive case for the bands inclusion.
Kendrick Lamar honored his idols N.W.A.
The current king of Compton rap honored his forebears with a heartfelt acceptance speech.
I felt like every single one of them was black superheroes where I come from.
The moment of reflection followed some big laughs: MC Ren, the motherf can I cuss?
Lamar said near the beginning of his speech.
MC Ren, the motherfing villain!
but Ice Cube made a spirited case for the genres inclusion in the best of N.W.A.s acceptance speeches.
The question is, are we rock and roll?
the famed MC asked.
You goddamn right we rock and roll.
Rock and roll is not an instrument, rock and roll is not even a style of music.
Rock and roll is a spirit.
After Miller claimed his prize, Nielsen jokingly nudged him offstage: OK, now get out of here.
But Nielsen wasnt satisfied with the lineup, and particularly N.W.A.s absence.
Im a little pissed off because I wanted to have N.W.A., he said.
I wanted to do a song with those guys.
Wed be like Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C.
Wed be famous and play cool stuff!
