Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons, the original and eternal hip-hop mogul, is one of the most innovative and influential figures in modern American business and culture. When no one outside of inner-city New York had even heard of hip-hop, Simmons saw the seeds of a global force that would change the way people talk, dress, listen to music, and choose the heroes they hang on their walls. Today, he oversees a sprawling, multimillion-dollar empire of culture-defining businesses in everything from music to fashion, advertising to film, and media to visual art. At the same time he's broadened his interests and influence and pushed hip-hop to new plateaus of power and relevance. Life and Def is a one-of-a-kind tale that interweaves the remarkable journey of Russell Simmons with the story of the culture he's transformed and been transformed by. In his own brash, compelling voice, Simmons chronicles his numerous business successes and occasional failures. He tells the story of the founding of the legendary Def Jam Records, whose roster stretches from original rap icons like L.L. Cool J, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys to today's top stars, including Jay-Z and DMX. He traces the launching of Def Comedy Jam, the long-running hit television series that introduced a new generation of black comedic stars to America, from Martin Lawrence and Bill Bellamy to Bernie Mac and Chris Rock. He spins hilarious tales of his adventures in Hollywood, where he's produced hit movies like Eddie Murphy's The Nutty Professor and worked with quirky geniuses like Abel Ferrara. He also tells the story of Phat Farm, the wildly successful pioneering urban clothing label whose origins lay in Russell's longtime fascination with fashion (and fashion models).Simmons's story is also one of personal transformation, from the driven man who in the heady days of early success indulged himself with drugs, sex, and world-class decadence to the husband and father he is today, a man who has found meaning in activism, philanthropy, and spiritual practice while never losing his passion for the social, political, artistic, and commercial potential of hip-hop.Through it all he relates telling anecdotes about the characters he's dealt with: models and gangsters, street poets and gurus, and major players like Donald Trump, Sean Combs, Jon Peters, and Tupac Shakur. Full of advice, opinions, and behind-the-scenes scoop, Life and Def is the story of the quintessential hip-hop life.From the Hardcover edition.

Drifter / Ed Gorman for Michael Seidman Reflections / Ray Russell Happy family / Melissa Mia Hall and Douglas F. Winter Dew drop inn / D. W. Taylor Refractions / Thomas Millstead Spelling bee / Adobe James Better than one / Paul Dale Anderson Ever, ever, after / Graham Masterton Prometheus' declaration of love for the vulture (poem) / Alan Rogers Long lips / R. Patrick Gates Sinners / Ralph Rainwater, Jr. Sunday breakfast / Jeanette M. Hopper Third rail / Wayne Allen Sallee Coochie-coo / Mark McNease Wulgaru / Bill Ryan Luckiest man in the world / Rex Miller Boneless doll (poem) / Joey Froehlich Skull / Diane Taylor On 42nd Street / William F. Nolan Safe / John Maclay All but the ties eternal / Gary A. Braunbeck Pop is real smart / Mort Castle When the wall cries / Stanley Wiater Return to the mutant rain forest (poem) / Bruce Boston and Robert Frazier The willies / James Kisner Drinking party / K. Marie Ramsland Chosen one / G. Wayne Miller Them bald-headed snays / Joseph A. Citro Motherson / Steve Rasnic Tem Kill for me / John Keefauver Shave and a haircut, two bites / Dan Simmons Orchid nursery (poem) / Amanda Russell Of absence, darkness death: things which are not (poem) / Ray Bradbury The pack / Chet Williamson Children / Kristine Kathryn Rusch Sea gulls / Gahan Wilson Coming of night, the passing of day / Ed Gorman Please don't hurt me / F. Paul Wilson Splatter me an angel / James Kisner Untitled still life with infinity perspective / Rex Miller Pratfall / John Maclay Heart of Helen Day / Graham Masterton Nothing but the best / Brian MeNaughton (sic) Somewhere / Denise Dumars Milestone's face / Gary Brandner Julia's touch / David T. Connolly Savages / Darrell Schweitzer Collapse of civilization / Ray Russell Animal husbandry / Bruce Boston Sounds / Kathryn Ptacek Whispers of the unrepentant (poem) / T. Winter-Damon Obscene phone calls / John Coyne The children never lie / Cameron Nolan Other woman / Lois Tilton Love, hate, and the beautiful junkyard / Mort Castle Sources of the Nile / Rick Hautala Collaborationists / J. N. Williamson My private memoirs of the Hoffer stigmaya pandemic / Dan Simmons The secret / Steve Allen.

Since rising out of the New York City streets over twenty-five years ago, Russell Simmons has helped create such groundbreaking ventures as Def Jam Records, Phat Farm, and Def Comedy Jam. Russell might have helped introduce hip-hop to the world, but he credits his success to his belief in a strong set of principles—or laws. In twelve straightforward steps, Russell reveals a path that can be followed by anyone struggling to realize their dreams.Russell's laws stem from the belief that it's impossible to receive any sort of lasting success from the world without giving something of lasting value to the world first. Blending business insight, universal spiritual truths, and an inspired sense of purpose, Do You! crosses the lines of age, race, and background, with wisdom that will lift you up and motivate you to pursue your vision.