RUSSELL SIMMONS

(born October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York), is an American entrepreneur.

In 2007 USA Today named Russell Simmons one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 20 Years,”[1] calling him a "hip-hop pioneer" for his groundbreaking vision that has influenced music, fashion, finance, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy.

Simmons has been instrumental in bringing the powerful influence of hip-hop culture to every facet of business and media since its inception in the late 1970s and has been listed as the most influential mogul in hip hop.[2] From producing and/or managing such early hip-hop artists as Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC (Run is Russell's brother), Whodini and the Beastie Boys to signing contemporary superstars like Jay-Z and Tupac Shakur, Simmons’ groundbreaking vision was crystallized with partner Rick Rubin in the creation of the seminal Def Jam Recordings in 1984, launching the cultural revolution known as hip-hop.

In addition to launching Def Jam, Simmons helped bring hip-hop culture to the mainstream with such ground breaking ventures as Phat Farm, Argyle Culture, Atman clothing lines and HBO's Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry Jam. Simmons has continued to serve the hip-hop generation through such ventures as the Rush Card, Simmons Lathan Media, Atman Fragrance, Run Athletics, Simmons Jewelry Company and the Global Grind website. Russell's web venture "360 Degrees Hip Hop.com" fared less well and was a commercial failure.

A committed philanthropist, Simmons heads Rush Philanthropic, which exposes disadvantaged youth to the arts, as well as serving as the Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, which is dedicated to bringing religions and ethnicities together.

Simmons is also the author of the 2008 New York Times bestseller Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success.
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From The Blogsphere

Russell Simmons' wet moment

via nypost.com ( 12 Days ago )
RUSSELL Simmons was soaked and then steamed at the Sunflower Children Gala at Hammerstein Ballroom the other night. "One Wall Street broker was so drunk and was so keen to meet Russell that he tripped over himself and poured his drink all over Russel...

Power b-day

via nypost.com ( 12 Days ago )
MEDIA bigs turned out in droves for the birthday party of Shirine DiSanto, wife of MTV programming president Tony Di-Santo, at Meatpacking District hot spot SL the other night. Helping the couple celebrate were Russell Simmons, "Today" show executive...

Fourth Annual Stay In School Pep Rally

via thesource.com ( 25 Days ago )
Russell Simmons, Keri Hilson, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and more all came out to motivate New York’s youth to stay in school today wit hthe 4th Annual Stay In School Pep Rally. Hosted by HOT 97’s early morning show personalities, Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds; Simmons, Knick legend, John Starks, MTV’s Sway, DJ Webstar, Knicks stars Al Harrington and Nate Robinson, [...]

Love ‘N Haiti Movement

via thesource.com ( 44 Days ago )
A number of celebrities are rallying behind Haiti to help the embattled country win a global competition hosted by BBC World News and Newsweek. Wyclef, actress/model Garcelle Beauvais, Russell Simmons, Free (Power 105 FM), Sha Money, Tony Yayo, DJ Whoo Kid, Mona Scott-Young (Monami Entertainment), actor Jamie Hector and singer Black Dada have signed on as ambassadors for LOVE ‘N [...]

Julie Henderson still in a bikini

via thesuperficial.com ( 46 Days ago )
Sports Illustrated model Julie Henderson and Russell Simmons continued their vacation in Miami yesterday which reminds me I need to make a doctor's appointment so I can schedule whatever surgery Russell Simmons got that makes $1,000 bills fly around ...read full story

50 Hot Chicks You Might Run Into In Real Life

via cavemancircus.com ( 46 Days ago )
See more hot chicks you might actually see in the real world here All The Aubrey O’Day Twitter Pics So Far – Celebrity Odor Nicole Scherzinger See Through Dress – Taxi Driver The Best of Mr. Belding – College Humor Huge compilation of Anne Hathaway pictures – Use My Computer Miley Cyrus Acts Like A Slut During Her Concert Video – Celeb Jihad Monica [...]

Russell Simmons Girlfriend Is Kinda Hot

via donchavez.com ( 47 Days ago )
I didn’t realize that SI employed gold diggers for their swimsuit issue. This is Julie “run for the lotion” Henderson who is dating media titan Russell Simmons. Russell has a shitload of money and can bang anything he wants, but I guess Julie found a way to tame his snake. P.S. I wonder if Sam Cassell ever tries to pass as Russell Simmons at clubs. Post from: [...]

UPDATE: Julie Henderson in a bikini

via thesuperficial.com ( 47 Days ago )
Here's Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Julie Henderson in Miami yesterday with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons who apparently got tired of banging Sophie Monk. Then again, what doesn't make Russell Simmons get tired these days? He probably takes a n ...read full story

KRS-One Tackles Iconic Record Label, "Def Jam Single-Handedly Destroyed Hip-Hop" [Video]

via sohh.com ( 57 Days ago )
Rap pioneer KRS-One recently shared his thoughts on Def Jam Records and said the company Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin founded has "destroyed" the hip-hop genre. [Visit SOHH.com for more information]

Ashley Dupre Not Good Enough For Tommy Hilfiger

via gothamist.com ( 63 Days ago )
Ashley Dupre's new BFF and mentor may be Russell Simmons (hey, "don't call me a whore, you whores" rant and single were posted on Simmons' website), but Tommy Hilfiger totally outranks the Love Gov hooker in Simmons' book. Page Six reports, "After Hilfiger told [Rusell] Ashley Dupre was unwelcome at Tommy's Fashion Week party at the Jane Hotel, Simmons disinvited Eliot Spitzer's [...]