Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons
Russell Wendell Simmons is an American entrepreneur, producer and author. The Chairman and CEO of Rush Communications, he cofounded the hip-hop music label Def Jam Recordings and created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. Simmons had a net-worth estimate of $340 million in 2011...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEntrepreneur
Date of Birth4 October 1957
CityQueens, NY
CountryUnited States of America
dope years white
You don't expect a 94-year-old white guy to pick "Dope," which was an awesome movie not even close to being considered by the Academy. And that's what it's all about, like, promoting people who might not otherwise get promoted and celebrating people who might not get celebrated.
beach hbo years
The reason I got a break in Hollywood when I moved here a few years ago is my good buddy, who I was on the beach with when he was a publicist, is now the chairman of HBO.
team years giving
There was a moment when I was watching Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in 'Badboys' that I felt, you know, inspired. I don't know if I was proud, because so many people do the work. Everyone's part of a team that develops over the years and gives people chances. There have been some good moments watching people develop.
years wife lasts
Last year my wife got a Rolls-Royce.
crazy years long
Many of my biggest business endeavors were failures before they became a success. Some failed for as long as six years before they hit. Everyone around me thought I was crazy. You just have to stay at it.
blacks certain force forces government ignorance keeping poverty rampant respond today together
These blacks here today see the poverty and ignorance that is keeping us at a certain place. They know where the forces are, and they will come together and force our government to respond to the poverty and ignorance that's rampant in our country.
ugly
Is that because I was ugly in my picture? ... I think it's because in person you get the energy.
authority heroes seeing
Seeing these heroes is inspiring. T.I. has authority.
fully god seconds state
To be awake is to be fully present, no noise, just you and God. Most of us only have seconds of full consciousness. To live in a state of Samadhi - that's what we're here for.
achieve believe changed charity comfort happiness job life people spend state thinking time
I don't spend any time thinking about my place in history, ever. If people say I changed things, it's nice, and I take it - but if I could give it to a charity it would be useful. I really believe now that my only job in life is to achieve a state of comfort and happiness.
global grind might otherwise people
The reason that I have Global Grind is to communicate ideas to people who might otherwise not be listening.
I try to create businesses that I think are not hurtful.
community difference helpful inspiring involved lifts lives
I want to get involved in things that makes a difference in peoples lives and lifts them up. I don't want to be a part of anything that's not inspiring or helpful to the community that I'm serving.
born business creative cycle good recognize
I'm born into the cycle of giving that we're all born into, and I recognize it. So just because something is a good business, I'm not a business guy. I'm a creative guy.