Russell Simmons
Russell Smons | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 3,1957(Age 49) |
| Occupation(s) | Music and Fashion Mogul |
Russell Simmons (born October 4 ,1957 in Queens, New York), is an American entrepreneur, the co-founder, with Rick Rubin, of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, founder of another label, Russell Simmons Music Group, and creator of the clothing fashion line Phat Farm.
Russell Simmons is the older brother of Rev. Joseph Simmons, better known as "Run" of Run-DMC, and son of Daniel Simmons, a public school administrator. His brother Danny Simmons is an accomplished abstract artist.
Since May 2005 he's been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.
Russell Simmons is the third richest Hip-Hop entertainer, having a net-worth estimate of $325 Million.[1]
Biography
Simmons attended City College of New York but left his studies to begin promoting local rap music acts, including Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC (whom he would later sign to his record label), and producing records. In 1984, he met Rick Rubin and they founded Def Jam Records, signing the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and other acts.
Personal
He married Kimora Lee Simmons on December 20 1998.[2] Simmons officially filed for divorce in March 2006, saying the couple had split some time before. The Simmons' have two daughters -- Ming Lee Simmons (21 January 2000) and Aoki Lee Simmons (16 August 2002) -- who both model for Baby Phat Kids Collection. They have placed their New Jersey mansion on the sales block for a reported $25 million. Also has son, Jinx da Juvi from a previous relationship.
Charity
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Simmons joined 22 other top executives in the apparel and home fashions industry to form Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc. (www.fashiondelivers.org) to unify the apparel and home fashions industry to donate new product to help needy individuals and families who fell victim to one of our country's worst natural disaster. In supporting the new charity, Phat Farm underwrote a t-shirt design contest with 100% of the proceeds going to Fashion Delivers.
Politics
In May 2007, Simmons announced his endorsement of Ohio Democrat Dennis Kucinich for the 2008 U.S. presidential election[1].
Def Jam
Def Jam became just one piece in Simmons' corporation, Rush Communications, which included a management company, a clothing company called Phat Farm, a movie production house, television shows such as Def Comedy Jam, a magazine, and an advertising agency. Simmons sold his stake in the record company for $100 million to Universal Music Group in 1999. The up and coming component of Rush Communications is the sneaker company Run Athletics, a company that produces the Legacy and Arthur Ashe shoes.
Other Projects
Recently, Simmons brought his show Def Poetry to Broadway as a live show, earning awards for the youthful and multicultural cast.
Simmons, in partnership with a financial institution, released a line of re-loadable Visa debit cards aimed at consumers who would otherwise have problems obtaining a credit card account [2]. These prepaid cards include the RushCard and the Baby Phat RushCard.
A vegan, Simmons has spoken out against cruelty in factory farms and slaughterhouses, and has participated in PETA's campaign against Kentucky Fried Chicken.[citation needed]
Currently, Simmons is working on a project to fight anti-semitism.[citation needed] Some of the people on this project include Beyoncé, Leonardo Dicaprio, and Will Smith.[citation needed]
In July 2006, Simmons, in addition to other members of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, was named a Goodwill Ambassador of CISRI-ISP, a so-called permanent observer mission to the United Nations.[citation needed] According to the press release, Simmons' appointment will help "launch an awareness campaign utilizing hip-hop as a vehicle to address war, poverty and HIV/AIDS, in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals as well as the CISRI-ISP fight against severe poverty and malnutrition [3]. On August 24,2006, Simmons hosted a reception in support of Republican United States Senate candidate from Maryland, Michael Steele [4]. In December 2006, Simmons was criticized for claims that he made following a tour organized by De Beers, of Botswana's Jwaneng mine, one of the world's richest diamond mines. This was part of a nine day, three country trip through Africa. Some expressed concern that this was part of a larger public relations effort organized by De Beers to counter expected controversies following the release of the movie Blood Diamond. Simmons' response was that he felt too much focus has been put on "conflict diamonds" and that his job was "to take what's good and make it better"[5].
Simmons has since gained attention by calling for the removal of the words 'nigger', 'bitch' and 'ho' from the "clean" radio edited versions of rap songs[6].
The Laws Of Thinking
Simmons said that the advice of Bishop E. Bernard Jordan has been an indispensable part of his personal success during an infomercial shown on the American cable television channel BET in December 2006.
In several segments, Simmons indicated that he looks to Jordan as his spiritual leader.
Self Help Book
In March 2007, Gotham Books announced the publication of Simmons' new book Do You! 12 Laws To Access The Power In You To Achieve Happiness And Success. Co-written with Chris Morrow and featuring an introduction by Donald Trump, the book is due in stores on April 24, 2007. [citation needed]
References
- ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18537941/
- ^ Getting a RushCard is Fast and Easy
- ^ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Press Release
- ^ Change the Game Press Release
- ^ http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=N05327463&WTmodLoc=IntNewsHome_C4_Crises-6 US music mogul, rights groups clash over diamonds
- ^ Rap Mogul Wants Racist Lyrics Ban