Anybody of color who had resources didn't like rap. The authentic expression of what's on the minds of the poor people is shocking sometimes. The language they use... it's real language. And we all know it, and we all hear it, but we try to distance ourselves from it when we get in the proper kind of environment. They want to act as though if we don't talk about it then it doesn't exist. If the struggle of these people doesn't come out through rap, it doesn't come out at all. 
-- Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons was born October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York. After high school, he enrolled in City College New York to study sociology, where he spent much of his free time promoting block parties and shows around Manhattan. A pioneer of hip-hop, he founded Def Jam Recordings, which signed and produced talent from the likes of the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and Run-D.M.C.
Since then, Simmons has brought the hip-hop culture to other areas, from the clothing industry with Phat Farm and Baby Phat to television industry with HBO's "The Def Comedy Jam" and "Russell Simmons
Presents Def Poetry," among countless other ventures.
Outside of the business world, Simmons spends a considerable amount of time working with philanthropic causes such as the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation which is founded with his two brothers. The Foundation aims to bring the arts community to urban youth who may otherwise not be exposed. He is currently the Chairman of the Foundation for Ethic Understanding, a non-profit organization focused on improving relationships between ethnic communities across the country.
Since then, Simmons has brought the hip-hop culture to other areas, from the clothing industry with Phat Farm and Baby Phat to television industry with HBO's "The Def Comedy Jam" and "Russell Simmons
Presents Def Poetry," among countless other ventures.
Outside of the business world, Simmons spends a considerable amount of time working with philanthropic causes such as the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation which is founded with his two brothers. The Foundation aims to bring the arts community to urban youth who may otherwise not be exposed. He is currently the Chairman of the Foundation for Ethic Understanding, a non-profit organization focused on improving relationships between ethnic communities across the country.
