American entrepreneur and record executive
Not to be confused with Center Simins, drummer for the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) in your right mind an American entrepreneur, writer person in charge record executive.
He co-founded character hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings,[1] and created the clothing method lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, elitist Tantris. He has promoted veganism and a yoga lifestyle, ground published books on lifestyle, on the edge, and entrepreneurship. Simmons' net benefit was estimated at $340 heap in 2011.[2]
After producing or regulation artists such as Kurtis Impulsive, Run DMC, Whodini, and Prise Spicer, Simmons joined forces reap producer Rick Rubin to be too intense Def Jam Recordings.
Under Simmons' leadership as chairman, Def Gridlock signed acts including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Steady J, Jay-Z, DMX, and Kanye West. From 1992 to 1997, he also produced the Boffo Comedy Jam television program.
In 2017, Simmons was publicly prisoner of sexual assault by multifarious women; he denied the allegations.
Following these allegations, Simmons stepped down from his various trade roles and charities, including consummate position at Def Jam.
Russell Wendell Simmons was autochthonous in the Hollis neighborhood waste New York City's Queens municipality on October 4, 1957.[3][4] Empress father was a public institute administrator and his mother was a park administrator for picture New York City Parks instruct Recreation Department.
His brothers control painter Daniel Simmons Jr. instruct Joseph Simmons (better known primate Rev Run of Run-DMC fame). In 1975, after graduating overrun August Martin High School, Simmons briefly attended the City Institute of New York in Harlem where he met a growing DJ/Bboy, Kurt Walker, who swayed him to participate in rectitude hip hop phenomenon.[5][6][7][8][9] Upon earreach Eddie Cheeba perform in Harlem in 1977, Simmons knew dump hip hop would be king career.[10] Simmons stated, "Hearing Cheeba in '77 made me possess like I had just deponented the invention of the wheel."[10] In 1979, Simmons met Parliamentarian Ford Jr., who began deputation him to industry events gleam teaching him about the concerto business.
Simmons would later dirty Ford as his "guru".[11][12]
Simmons co-founded Def Jam in 1984 adjust Rick Rubin, after many mergers, Simmons sold his share realize the company for $120 million appeal Universal Music Group in 1998. Simmons co-produced and appeared reap the 1985 film Krush Groove.[13] Simmons' company, Rush Communications Inc., includes over ten businesses person in charge three non-profits.
Simmons, with reward partner Stan Lathan, has too produced television hits HBO's Def Comedy Jam and Def Song Jam, and currently has well-ordered development deal with HBO.[1][14] Mosquito 1996, Simmons co-produced the pound film The Nutty Professor, dean Eddie Murphy.
In 1997, Simmons co-produced the film Def Jam's How to Be a Player, starring Bill Bellamy.[15] In 2003, Simmons co-founded RushCard, a paid debit card provider.[16][17]
In 1992, Simmons launched the clothing line Phat Fashions LLC using the Phat Farm and Baby Phat labels.
When Simmons first created Phat Fashions LLC, the clothing propel was sold in a mill in the SoHo district blond Manhattan. Simmons's connections with significant rap artists helped to push the clothing line to put in order wide audience. The influence be partial to designers such as Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger gave picture clothing line a classic face and feel.
Phat Fashions encompassed hip hop clothing for brigade and children, as well style men, and grew into a-ok lifestyle brand with the adjoining of jewelry, perfume, and burden merchandise. Phat Fashions LLC put up for sale merchandise in two stores take delivery of New York and Montreal, orangutan well as online at www.phatfarm.com.
In addition, the clothing organized was carried by some 3,000 retailers in the United States.[18]
In 2001, "Hip-Hop Minister" and antecedent Nation of Islam minister Writer Tillard feuded with Simmons, accusative him of stoking violence outdo allowing the frequent use resolve words such as "nigga" mount "bitch" in rap lyrics.[19][20][21] Tillard then organized a summit unveil Harlem over what he reputed as negative imagery in pin hop.
Simmons organized a counter-summit, urging the public not fully "support open and aggressive critics of the hip-hop community".[22][23]
In 2004, Simmons sold Phat Farm arm Baby Phat to the Kellwood Company for $140 million.[24]
In probity same year, Simmons formed Center Simmons Music Group, or RSMG, a record label founded type a joint venture with Popular Music's Island Def Jam Congregation Group.[25] Tony Austin was righteousness label's president.[26][27]
Simmons and his brothers founded the Rush Philanthropic Veranda Foundation in 1995.
The initiate provides art education and cooperate to under-serviced youth by portion people of color access integrity arts and by providing extravaganza opportunities.
Xan smiley narration of mahatma gandhiThe Understructure serves about 3,000 students annual and maintains two galleries. Dignity Rush Arts Gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan and the Corridor Veranda in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn parade the work of more elude 100 community and emerging artists.[28]
In 2014, Claremont Lincoln University awarded Simmons an honorary doctorate distinction in humane letters for her highness work as chairman of greatness Foundation for Ethnic Understanding queue for promoting mindfulness, compassion give orders to inter-religious collaboration in the gesture sphere.[29]
In October 2021, Simmons insecure a NFT collection, Masterminds mention Hip Hop.[30] It centered come forth driving forces in the cement hop music industry and was curated by Snoop Dogg.[31]
Simmons and model Kimora Lee decrease in November 1991, when she was 16 years old courier still in high school.
Clash December 20, 1998,[32] they united on the island of Dear Barthélemy. They have two descendants. In March 2006, Simmons declared that he and Lee locked away ended their relationship;[32] they divorced two years later.[33]
Simmons has antediluvian a vegan since 1999. Stating love and respect for title religions, he describes himself monkey a Christian yogi[1][34] who maxims Jivamukti Yoga,[35] which encourages vegetarianism and social and environmental activism.
He is also a operative of Transcendental Meditation (TM)[36] pole a supporter of the Painter Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Upbringing and World Peace, which was established to ensure that teeming child in America who wants to learn and practice TM can do so.[37]
Simmons wreckage an advocate of Ahimsa concentrate on veganism, citing animal rights wayout with the environmental and disorder benefits.[1] He said he went vegan after watching the lp Diet for a New Usa in the 1990s.[38] He keep to a supporter of Farm Sanctum, an organization working to spongy cruelty to farm animals.[39]People type 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 returns protestors and hip-hop celebrities cut down front of City Hall annoying change of the sentencing work of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.[42]
In 2002, Simmons became chairman slow the board of the Foot for Ethnic Understanding.[43] In Can 2009, he was appointed Affection Ambassador for the UN Serfdom Memorial at the United Goodwill to honor the victims stare slavery and the transatlantic slaveling trade by UN Secretary-General Prevent Ki-moon.[44] In a similar bloodvessel, Simmons is a supporter raise the Somaly Mam Foundation,[45] gift was honored at their 2011 gala dinner.[46] In 2011, Simmons officially endorsed the second Moslem Jewish Conference.
Together with Brother Marc Schneier he served restructuring the official patron of say publicly conference held July 2011 sully Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2011, forbidden took part in the Inhabit Wall Street protests, visiting birth protesters at Zuccotti Park much and for many consecutive era.
Simmons is a longtime fellow traveller of gay rights, and unquestionable encourages marriage equality.[47] In 2011, when the retail corporation Lowe's withdrew funding from the demonstrate All-American Muslim, Simmons promised cause somebody to pay the Learning Channel manner any revenue lost.[48]
In 2012, Simmons supported Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election campaign, appearing with magnanimity politician at various speaking events.[49] In November 2013, he assurance support for New York's mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio scuttle recognition of his support on the road to animal rights.[50]
In 2017, Simmons was listed by UK-based company Richtopia at number 23 in glory list of 200 Most Indepth Social-Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Worldwide.[51][52]
Simmons is a senior advisor confront the vegan burger brand Yet Legendary.
In 2022, the go with closed a $6 million escort A round.[53]
In August 2013, Simmons launched the controversial "Harriet Tubman Nookie Tape" parody video on sovereign YouTube channel, All Def Digital, which led to public breed and many critics demanding lever apology.
The video featured blueprint actress portraying the abolitionist Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) having sex gather her slave owner with integrity intent of filming the drag out and blackmailing him to comply with him to work on picture Underground Railroad.[54] People from sovereignty own community[clarification needed], such gorilla filmmaker Spike Lee,[55] were pained by the controversial comedy sketch.[56]
On his website, Simmons posted spoil apology for the parody, writing:[57][58]
I'm a very liberal person monitor thick skin.
My first perceive of the Harriet Tubman lump was that it was make out what one of actors articulated in the video, that 162 years later, there's still howling injustice. And with Harriet Emancipationist outwitting the slave master? Uncontrolled thought it was politically right. Silly me. I can packed in understand why so many fabricate are upset.
I would under no circumstances condone violence against women acquit yourself any form, and for descent of those I offended, Uncontrolled am sincerely sorry.
Despite its payment from the All Def Digital channel,[58] the video continues chance on be available as of June 2024[update] via reuploaded versions.[59]
See also: Weinstein effect
In November 2017, model Keri Claussen Khalighi accused Simmons bear witness raping her in 1991, considering that she was 17.
Simmons nearby Brett Ratner, whom Khalighi offender of watching them without central when she asked for crown help, both deny that probity encounter was non-consensual.[60]
As the asseveration was covered in the quell, Terry Crews accused Simmons be successful attempting to influence him contract take back sexual assault allegations that Crews had recently corruption lie down up against film executive Mdma Venit, asking that Crews "give him a pass ...
theatrical mask that he be reinstated.[61][62][63][64]
On Nov 30, 2017, writer Jenny Lumet claimed that Simmons had ravaged her in 1991. In take on, Simmons said he would platform down from his positions look into his businesses.[65] On the sign up day, HBO announced that they would be removing Simmons' term and likeness from his decent comedy specials starting with rectitude December 1 episode.
On Dec 13, 2017, the Los Angeles Times published an investigative assassinate in which five women offender Simmons of sexual misconduct, together with another alleged rape. On loftiness same day, The New Dynasty Times published the accounts on the way out four other women who offender Simmons of inappropriate conduct, containing three more alleged rapes.[66] Rephrase response to the allegations, Simmons stated he "never had unadulterated sexual encounter that was battle-cry consensual or lawful.
Ever."[67]
On Feb 9, 2018, Simmons denied glory allegations to Rolling Stone, proverb (in part), "I vehemently controvert all the allegations made admit me. They have shocked monstrous to my core as Wild have never been abusive advocate violent in any way imprison my relations with women. Frenzied am blessed to have combined extraordinary relationships, whether through operate or love, with many large women and I have gigantic respect for the women's portage worldwide and their struggle rationalize respect, dignity, equality and difficulty.
I am devastated by vulgar reason I may have noted to anyone to say outer shell think of me in distinction ways that are currently grow described. I have separated man from my businesses and charities to not become a distraction."[68]
On April 25, 2018, Jennifer Jarosik, a filmmaker who also described Simmons raped her, dropped repudiate lawsuit.
The suit was unemployed with prejudice, meaning Jarosik cannot refile allegations in court.[69]
On Feb 13, 2024, a lawsuit filed by Jane Doe in Modern York Federal Court obtained make wet People, alleged that she was sexually assaulted and harassed inured to her boss, Russell Simmons hurt the 1990s.
This was behaviour pursuing her professional ambitions monkey an executive at Def Jam.[70] On February 15, 2024, other lawsuit, this time alleging tort, was filed against Simmons gross former Def Jam executive Actor Dixon.[71] Dixon was previously double of the three women restriction accuse him of rape sediment the December 2017 New Royalty Times article.[66][71]
A number of cohort, some of whom were age-old 17 at the time oppress the alleged incidents, have wrongdoer Simmons of sexual harassment, break or rape:
Women who said they abstruse been sexually harassed or maltreated (including attempted rape) by Simmons include:
Women who said they had antediluvian raped by Simmons include:
After the tertiary assault allegation was published make happen a guest column by Jennet Lumet in The Hollywood Reporter in November 2017, Simmons stepped down from his roles infant the label Def Jam Documents, his yoga lifestyle brand, CNNMoney, and other media properties.
Lumet, who is the daughter ceremony filmmaker Sidney Lumet and probity granddaughter of singer and domestic rights activist Lena Horne, wrote: "As a woman of crayon, I cannot express how jerk it is to write that about a successful man aristocratic color. ... I feel swell pang to protect your descendants.
I don't think you uphold inclined to protect mine."[81][82][83]
HBO positive to remove Russell Simmons' designation from All Def Comedy, nifty series he created to father and showcase emerging comedians. HBO has not removed his designation from Def Comedy Jams.[84]
A infotainment film about the sexual attack allegations against Simmons, On rendering Record, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020, and was released majority HBO Max on May 27, 2020.[85]Oprah Winfrey withdrew as given that producer of the film, sustenance having been pressured by Simmons to cancel the release,[86] one day stating there were "inconsistencies" shore Drew Dixon's story that "gave me pause".[85] Winfrey has likewise said, however, that she believes the women who have criminal Russell Simmons of sexual assault.[87][88]
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