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Quick Facts
- NAME: Russell Simmons
- OCCUPATION: Entrepreneur
- BIRTH DATE: October 04, 1957 (Age: 55)
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Queens, New York
- Full Name: Russell Wendell Simmons
- AKA: Russell Simmons
- ZODIAC SIGN: Libra
Best Known For
Co-founder of Def Jam Records, Russell Simmons was the force behind the hip-hop revolution, promoting stars like the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and LL Cool J.
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Play NowRussell Simmons. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 11:42, May 21, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/russell-simmons-307186.
Russell Simmons. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/russell-simmons-307186 [Accessed 21 May 2013].
"Russell Simmons." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 21 2013, 11:42 http://www.biography.com/people/russell-simmons-307186.
"Russell Simmons," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/russell-simmons-307186 [accessed May 21, 2013].
"Russell Simmons," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/russell-simmons-307186 (accessed May 21, 2013).
Russell Simmons [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 21] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/russell-simmons-307186.
Russell Simmons, http://www.biography.com/people/russell-simmons-307186 (last visited May 21, 2013).
Russell Simmons. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/russell-simmons-307186. Accessed May 21, 2013.
Synopsis
Born in New York City on October 4, 1957, Russell Simmons began promoting New York City musicians in his early 20s. He partnered with Rick Rubin to create Def Jam Records, and signed artists like the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Run-D.M.C. He later sold his stake in Def Jam to Universal Music Group for $100 million. In addition to his music career,
Contents
Quotes
"Judgment of the people in the situation is not helpful. How can you help them is the question."
"I want to fight poverty and ignorance and give opportunity to those people who are locked out."
Simmons helped found the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, the Rush Philanthropic Organization and the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding.
Def Jam Records
Russell Wendell Simmons was born in Queens, New York, on October 4, 1957. After a brief stint at City College of New York, Simmons left school to promote local musicians, including Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. In 1984, he and partner Rick Rubin founded Def Jam Recordings, creating the foundation for the cultural revolution known as hip hop. Def Jam signed the forerunners of the hip hop movement, including the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Run-D.M.C.
An ambitious entrepreneur, Russell Simmons saw Def Jam as just part of his hip hop empire. His Rush Communications firm also included Phat Farm clothing company, television shows, a management company, a magazine and an advertising agency. His movie production house has produced such films as Krush Groove and The Nutty Professor. In 1999, he sold his stake in Def Jam Records to Universal Music Group for $100 million. In 2004, he sold Phat Farm for $140 million.
Other Projects
A strict vegan and yoga enthusiast, Simmons is also an active philanthropist. He helped found the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, the Rush Philanthropic Organization and the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. He actively supports PETA and was named a Goodwill Ambassador to fight war, poverty and HIV/AIDS. He is the author of Do You! 12 Laws To Access The Power In You To Achieve Happiness And Success.
Simmons was married to model Kimora Lee from 1998 to 2008. They have two daughters, Ming and Aoki.
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