Russell Simmons is a certified mogul. A pioneer in the Hip-Hop record business, Simmons has springboarded his success in music into ventures in fashion, fragrances, movies, television, jewelry, and global philanthropy among other things.
The busy man spoke candidly with us recently to make some new points, clear up some misconceptions, and tell us why he actually likes the nickname "Blood Diamond Russ."
Livesteez: Why did you feel it was necessary for you and Al Sharpton to contact Michael Vick's endorsers when he was indicted? PETA is understandable, but why did you feel the need to do so?
Russell Simmons: I am a animal rights activist and a vegan for spiritual reasons and not my physical health (which is, in fact, a fringe benefit to my choice). I am also a big supporter of PETA. In fact, I have negotiated settlements with fortune 500 companies and them. But I must say, Ingrid Newkirk (the head of PETA) sometimes does things that I would not do. Similarly, I love Tracy Maitland and his intention to do good but I was very disturbed by his choice to contact Michael Vick’s sponsors. We are life-long friends and I have accepted that he "misunderstood" and that he didn't intend to take advantage of our friendship when he made that choice without my consent. When I found out about that choice I deeply regretted that it was done in my name and I still do. I would not have agreed to co sign the letter, which I didn't write but re-wrote and tempered if I knew that he intended to contact Michael Vick’s sponsors. Having said all of that I have continually said Michael Vick needed education and his service could have been to PETA and the humane society and not jail. I put him and his lawyers in touch with the people that are working to make a difference. Anyhow, I am deeply troubled by the unconscious actions we take in regards to the animals.
Livesteez: Clear up the whole "Blood diamond Russ" title- what are you actually doing in South Africa?
Russell Simmons: I went to South Africa and Botswana to see how diamonds were helping Africans in countries where they were a natural resource. I wanted to see for myself, if I was going to be in the jewelry business, how I could support great programs in countries where I knew our money would do good. I saw this incredible school in Johannesburg called CIDA, where 3300 students all meditate every day, do everything for their school but teach, and have a commitment to give back to the school when they graduate. They needed money to continue and build a larger school to accommodate more students so that became our first recipient. When I came back, I started the Diamond Empowerment Fund to raise the money for that school and Simmons Jewelry created the Green Bracelet toward that end. Simmons Jewelry wrote a check for $300,000 at the end of last year for CIDA but we're still pushing to raise more. But, hey, I kinda like the nickname anyway...
Livesteez: Why did you finally decide to back Barack Obama?
Russell Simmons: While I've had a long standing relationship with Hillary (she helped us a lot with the Rockefeller Drug Laws and our education initiatives a couple of years ago that got $100 million put back into the education budget), I wasn't sure what I wanted to do about endorsing. It took me long time. Although Obama is the most progressive candidate, I didn't know him well enough. What I did see and like is every chance he gets, he's shown great character. Defending his longtime friend and pastor showed good character; he didn't throw him under bus although he could have. That, to me, was one of his greatest moments.
Livesteez: Have you experienced any backlash---or has your role with the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network been compromised because of that?
Russell Simmons: No. To preserve the integrity of the organization, I decided to take a leave of absence as Chairman of HSAN until after the election.
Livesteez: Do you have any advice for young voters?
Russell Simmons: Choose a candidate and when you make a choice, know it's for your own karma as well. When you don't chose and they make decisions on your behalf, and your vote's not counted, things will happen without you that affect you and other people; you are karmically responsible.
Livesteez: What is your opinion on the Jay-Z/Damon Dash "break-up" and what are your thoughts on what happened?
Russell Simmons: I love Jay-Z and Damon very much. Damon is a visionary and Jay is maybe the greatest rapper of all time. Everything happens for a reason. Only god knows.
Livesteez: What's a normal day like for Russell Simmons?
Russell Simmons: I get up 6am and meditate, then get on the Stairmaster and watch the news. I get picked up at 9am by Kenny and go to the office and, after that, it all goes crazy. I don't know who's going to show up to meet me, etc. Anywhere between 2-8:30, I go to yoga class every day.
Livesteez: How do you make time for yoga?
Russell Simmons: Because I've found out I'm more productive if I do go. The 2 hrs I take out makes the other 8 more productive.
Livesteez: Is that how you and you your girlfriend met- or was she into it before- do you all do it together?
Russell Simmons: We met at a reception of someone we both know. She was a yoga practitioner but not doing it as regularly as she is now. But we did go to yoga on our first date. She was already a vegan, interested in yoga philosophy and practicing, but our relationship supported all of that and now she's very close to getting her yoga teaching certification.
Livesteez: You and Kimora seem to have a great work relationship and personally things seem pretty straight forward...any friction with the new girlfriend?
Russell Simmons: Let's put it this way; they don't hang out together but they're cool with each other.
Livesteez: What do you think about Kimora's boyfriend?
Russell Simmons: My kids love him and I love him and I think he's very good for her.
Livesteez: Being a celebrity has its up and downs. One of the downs: people are always in your business- what do you think about that? How do you handle it?
Russell Simmons: Being a celebrity is easy. Anyone who says it isn't creates their own drama. You get a lot of free shit! Those same people who say it's so difficult license their name and pay their bills by utilizing their celebrity. Half of them don't know what to do with it. We're born into a cycle of giving and if you don't know what to do with that, it hurts. I am chairman of 4 charities and its easy calling up celebrities to get them to participate to make a difference. We hope it plants seeds for others to give and it does. A lot of rappers, just about any rap star you can name, is giving back to their communities with their own charities.
Livesteez: What's the craziest rumor you've heard about yourself?
Russell Simmons: I guess the idea that I’m so straight up calm and balanced all the time because I meditate and do yoga every day. I used to be way more fucked up than everybody and now, if I keep praying and meditating, I’ll be approaching normal on a good day! My nickname was Rush for a reason.
