Marc Simmons

Russell Wendell Simmons, born in 1957, is an American entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of the influential hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings. He also established fashion lines like Phat Farm and was instrumental in the careers of numerous artists, producing and managing acts such as Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys. Beyond his business ventures, Simmons has become a prominent advocate for veganism and a yoga lifestyle, authoring books on these topics. His career has also included producing television programs like Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry Jam. In 2017, multiple allegations of sexual assault were made against Simmons, which he denied. These accusations led him to step down from his executive roles and charitable positions.

Born in Queens, New York City, Russell Simmons' upbringing exposed him to a creative environment, with brothers Daniel Simmons Jr. and Joseph Simmons (Rev Run) also involved in the arts. After graduating high school, his brief college tenure introduced him to individuals who would shape his understanding of the burgeoning hip-hop culture. A pivotal moment came in 1977 when he witnessed Eddie Cheeba perform, an experience that solidified his conviction that hip-hop would be his career path. He later met Robert Ford Jr., who served as a mentor, guiding him through the music industry and becoming his "guru."

In 1984, Simmons co-founded Def Jam Recordings with Rick Rubin, a label that would become synonymous with the golden age of hip-hop, signing iconic artists like the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and Jay-Z. He also ventured into film production, co-producing movies such as Krush Groove and The Nutty Professor. His entrepreneurial spirit extended to fashion with the creation of Phat Farm and Baby Phat, which evolved into a lifestyle brand. Simmons also co-founded Rush Communications Inc., a conglomerate encompassing various businesses and non-profits, and later launched the prepaid debit card provider RushCard.

Since 1999, Simmons has embraced veganism, citing animal rights, environmental concerns, and health benefits. He practices Jivamukti Yoga, a discipline that emphasizes vegetarianism and activism, and also engages in Transcendental Meditation. He has been a vocal advocate for social causes, supporting organizations like Farm Sanctuary and the David Lynch Foundation. His activism includes championing gay rights, marriage equality, and participating in protests like Occupy Wall Street. He also co-founded the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, dedicated to providing arts education to underserved youth.

In his later career, Simmons continued to explore diverse ventures, including launching a Broadway production of Def Poetry Jam and forming a record label with Universal Music. He sold his fashion brands for significant sums and in 2021 released an NFT collection. However, his public image was significantly impacted in 2017 by multiple accusations of sexual assault, which he denied. These allegations led to his departure from his business and philanthropic roles. A prior controversy involved a "Harriet Tubman Sex Tape" parody video released in 2013, which drew widespread criticism and an apology from Simmons.

“Hearing Cheeba in '77 made me feel like I had just witnessed the invention of the wheel.”

“I'm a very liberal person with thick skin. My first impression of the Harriet Tubman piece was that it was about what one of actors said in the video, that 162 years later, there's still tremendous injustice. And with Harriet Tubman outwitting the slave master? I thought it was politically correct. Silly me. I can now understand why so many people are upset. I would never condone violence against women in any form, and for all of those I offended, I am sincerely sorry.”