Russell simmons biography entrepreneurial spirit
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It is extremely disappointing that a 24-year-old story, which did not get past very credible news outlets, was published in light of the massive contrary evidence."
In July, Alexia Norton Jones, a daughter of a former lawyer for Martin Luther King Jr., added her name to the growing list of Simmons' accusers with her first-person account in Variety.
He was the second of three sons whose parents — Daniel Sr., a teacher, and Evelyn, an administrator — raised their family in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York.
Simmons’ fashion ventures followed: Phat Farm (sold in 2004 for $114 million), Baby Phat, Argyle Culture and others.
A year earlier, 26-year-old Simmons had been introduced to an aspiring producer, Rick Rubin, then 20, at the Danceteria nightclub in Manhattan.
Simmons defended himself by saying the interaction was "mutual."
On November 30, screenwriter Jenny Lumet, daughter of famed Hollywood director Sidney Lumet, penned a Hollywood Reporter article that described an unwanted sexual encounter with Simmons in 1991. But maybe because of my luck and success, they believe me."
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Berfield, Susan.
Some of the first rap songs ever played on radio were from his acts, including "Christmas Rappin'" from Kurtis Blow (1959–). "Phat Cats: Russell and Kimora Simmons Are a Volatile Duo—But They're Coolly Confident about Phat Fashions, Their Hot Hip-Hop Clothing Empire." People (July 1, 2002): p.
Lewis, Miles Marshall. With their first office located in Rubin's dormitory room at New York University, they emerged as the first big players on the rap music scene. He pioneered the rap-rock crossover with Rubin on Run-DMC's "Walk this Way," co-produced the first gold-certified hip-hop single (for Kurtis Blow) and album (for LL Cool J), blended the worlds of hip hop and fashion with Run-DMC, and helped create a global audience for rap music.
Rap Goes to Washington: Russell Simmons Helped Take Hip-Hop Mainstream. When Polygram began receiving calls, their interest was piqued and Blow got his record deal — a masterstroke by Simmons. A vegan, he practices yoga daily and makes all his employees read The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra (1946–) and then submit a report on the book.
But Phat Farm's best-selling item is a pink golf sweater—it's not a grass skirt or a dashiki." Since then, Simmons has made Phat Farm competitive with such clothing lines as Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. "Happy Birthday to 'Huge Hefner.'" Interview (November 1995): p.
AP/Wide World Photos.
Cashing Out on Def Jam
For the next four years, Def Jam blazed a trail for hip hop.
His future, in particular.