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Staff post about: Russell Simmons Become an Author

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“With my first act in ’79, people said hip-hop was dead,” says Simmons. “Now look, 20 years later, the culture is so strong we’re doing underwear.”

Simmons was not always the successful powerhouse that he is now nor did success come easily to him. When he first began to promote hip-hop concerts and events on the streets of New York where he grew up, he would often lose large amounts of his own money. Simmons even once found himself completely broke after promoting a party in Harlem to which no one showed up. “I remember sitting outside and my mother coming out,” he recalls. “She gave me money…and it was enough to start me over again and give me another opportunity.”

For Simmons, the hardest part about losing money on ventures was not the actual loss of dollars, but the loss of faith and confidence that often came along with it. Reflecting on his mother’s loan at the time of his bankruptcy, Simmons notes, “It was a tremendous push, because it wasn’t the money, it was the investment in me. It was the belief in my future.” That belief pushed Simmons to continue working towards his dreams.

Once Simmons had gained some measure of success, he still faced harsh criticism concerning the content of his message and the artists he was representing. With profane lyrics and violent images often associated with his rappers, Simmons was constantly told he was part of the problem as opposed to part of the solution.

“They say we’re putting out bad messages to the kids.” In defense, Simmons argues that his artists are simply representing the reality of the tough conditions that exist on the streets. “Our image is clean, man. Kids beat each other’s heads every day. They are fighting because they were fighting before I was born.”

In fact, Simmons suggests that his rappers actually represent role models to their audiences. “If you’re a 15-year-old black male in high school and look around, you wonder what you can do with your life. How do you better yourself? Run-DMC has opened up a whole new avenue of ambition,” says Simmons. “You can grow up to be like Run-DMC. It’s possible.”

Simmons also grew up in a time where racism was more prevalent, “but I wouldn’t let it hurt me,” he says. “I could complain about the lack of cultural sensitivity, but
I also say that because of the old guys’ stupidity I’m here in the first place. If the music business understood hip-hop in the beginning, I wouldn’t have built Def Jam.”

Throughout his career, Simmons has faced numerous obstacles that have tested his commitment to his vision. No matter what seemed to stand in his way, Simmons persisted in his goals and continued to dedicate himself to achieving them. “If you don’t break a hole through the brick wall, don’t just start digging a new hole,” he believes. “Keep going until you break through that wall.”

“It’s all about the work,” he says. “Nothing is going to fall into your lap.” Simmons would often take years to develop a new business idea, learning from all the mistakes he already made along the way. “If something doesn’t work, then you know what not to do.” And, everybody has the potential to achieve their dreams, says Simmons. “Whatever they can imagine for themselves, they can accomplish.”

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