SLAYER/EXODUS Guitarist GARY HOLT: 'Why Rap Is The Number One Music Form In America'

Thrash metal legend Gary Holt of SLAYER and EXODUS returned to Rock City Music Company in Livonia, Michigan on May 18. The capacity crowd was entertained as Gary told stories from his incredible career, performed some of his most classic riffs and shredded everyone from Kanye West to Kylie Jenner.

Speaking about the current state of hip-hop, Holt said: "I like old-school rap. Maybe I'm just showing my age. Back in my day, rappers used to actually have rhythm. They actually used to be funky. Fucking now, the shit is… they're not even in time; they don't even rhyme. It's fucked up."

Pointing to a young music fan in the audience, Holt said: "Look, you're a young dude, right? You want a career in music? Go tattoo the fuck out of your face. You'll be a fucking rap star. That's what dudes looked like when they passed out on the bus — we'd Sharpie the fuck out of you. And now that's what they look like on purpose. It's crazy. They're all fucking Sharpied up."

Holt also addressed the fact that rock has been unseated by the growing popularity of hip-hop in the past few years. He said: "My theory on why rap is the number one fucking music form in America now is 'cause there's social media. Rappers — I'm friends with some and I love a lot of 'em, but they've always been about, 'Look what I've got. Look at my diamonds and shit.'

"I saw a news article — it was about some 18-year-old rapper who bought a Rolls-Royce so he could smash the windshields out and put it on Instagram," he continued. "All right, you're a fucking asshole, you're dumb, and I hope you run out of money and you're fucking sucking dick behind a dumpster for money later. So, fuck you."

Gary, who made headlines in recent years for the controversial t-shirt he started wearing in 2015 with the words "Kill The Kardashians", was also asked what he would do if he had five minutes alone with Kim Kardashian. He responded: "Not what your filthy mind is thinking. I wouldn't hurt her. You know, I don't hate the Kardashians. No, I don't. I hate the people that have made them famous — us. I hate the fact that people are so enamored and just fascinated with the glorious lifestyles of the rich and famous that they would elevate them to this status. Now she's gonna be a lawyer. If she passes the bar exam, I don't believe it. It's a lie and she paid someone off. Look at Kylie Jenner's natural lips, and look at those balloons she has now. All right, it's really ridiculous. It's ugly. You look ugly. I'm sorry — I find beauty in natural things. I don't think a lab-created rat looks attractive. Be yourselves. We're metalheads, right? I find beauty in the freaks and outcasts of the world, and that's what makes us us. And the minute we band together and we fucking take up arms, we'll take fucking music back."

Holt began filling in for SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman at live shows in 2011, and became the band's full-time co-guitarist as of 2013, while remaining a member of EXODUS.