Russell Simmons
Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American entrepreneur, writer and record executive. He co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings,[1] and created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. He has promoted veganism and a yoga lifestyle, and published books on lifestyle, health, and entrepreneurship. Simmons' net worth was estimated at $340 million in 2011.[2]
Not to be confused with Russell Simins, drummer for Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
Russell Simmons
Entrepreneur, writer, record executive
1984–present
2
Joseph Simmons (brother)
Danny Simmons (brother)
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After producing or managing artists such as Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Whodini, and Jimmy Spicer, Simmons joined forces with producer Rick Rubin to found Def Jam Recordings. Under Simmons' leadership as chairman, Def Jam signed acts including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, DMX, and Kanye West. From 1992 to 1997, he also produced the Def Comedy Jam television program.
In 2017, Simmons was publicly accused of sexual assault by multiple women; he denied the allegations. Following these allegations, Simmons stepped down from his various business roles and charities, including his position at Def Jam.
Social activism[edit]
Simmons is an advocate of Ahimsa and veganism, citing animal rights along with the environmental and health benefits.[1] He said he went vegan after watching the film Diet for a New America in the 1990s.[38] He is a supporter of Farm Sanctuary, an organization working to end cruelty to farm animals.[39] People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals awarded him the 2001 PETA Humanitarian Award and the 2011 Person of the Year Award.[40][41]
In 2009, Simmons organized thousands of protestors and hip-hop celebrities in front of City Hall demanding change of the sentencing rules of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.[42]
In 2002, Simmons became chairman of the board of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding.[43] In May 2009, he was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Slavery Memorial at the United Nations to honor the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.[44] In a similar vein, Simmons is a supporter of the Somaly Mam Foundation,[45] and was honored at their 2011 gala dinner.[46] In 2011, Simmons officially endorsed the second Muslim Jewish Conference. Together with Rabbi Marc Schneier he served as the official patron of the conference held July 2011 in Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2011, he took part in the Occupy Wall Street protests, visiting the protesters at Zuccotti Park often and for many consecutive days.
Simmons is a longtime supporter of gay rights, and he encourages marriage equality.[47] In 2011, when the retail corporation Lowe's withdrew funding from the show All-American Muslim, Simmons promised to pay the Learning Channel for any revenue lost.[48]
In 2012, Simmons supported Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election campaign, appearing with the politician at various speaking events.[49] In November 2013, he pledged support for New York's mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio in recognition of his support for animal rights.[50]
In 2017, Simmons was listed by UK-based company Richtopia at number 23 in the list of 200 Most Influential Social-Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Worldwide.[51][52]
Early life[edit]
Russell Wendell Simmons was born in the Hollis neighborhood of New York City's Queens borough on October 4, 1957.[3][4] His father was a public school administrator and his mother was a park administrator for the New York City Parks and Recreation Department. His brothers are painter Daniel Simmons Jr. and Joseph Simmons (better known as Rev Run of Run-DMC fame). In 1975, after graduating from August Martin High School, Simmons briefly attended the City College of New York in Harlem where he met a young DJ/Bboy, Kurt Walker, who influenced him to participate in the hip hop phenomenon.[5][6][7][8][9] Upon hearing Eddie Cheeba perform in Harlem in 1977, Simmons knew that hip hop would be his career.[10] Simmons stated, "Hearing Cheeba in '77 made me feel like I had just witnessed the invention of the wheel."[10] In 1979, Simmons met Robert Ford Jr., who began taking him to industry events and teaching him about the music business. Simmons would later credit Ford as his "guru".[11][12]
Personal life[edit]
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Marriage[edit]
Simmons and model Kimora Lee met in November 1991, when she was 16 years old and still in high school. On December 20, 1998,[32] they married on the island of Saint Barthélemy. They have two children. In March 2006, Simmons announced that he and Lee had ended their relationship;[32] they divorced two years later.[33]
Beliefs[edit]
Simmons has been a vegan since 1999, and describes himself as a Christian yogi with a love and respect for all religions.[1][34] He practices Jivamukti Yoga,[35] which encourages vegetarianism and social and environmental activism. He is also a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation (TM)[36] and a supporter of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace, which was established to ensure that any child in America who wants to learn and practice TM can do so.[37]
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Vegan burgers[edit]
Simmons is a senior advisor of the vegan burger brand Everything Legendary. In 2022, the company closed a $6 million series A round.[53]
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