Russell Simmons
Russell Wendell Simmons was born in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens on the 4th of October 1957. His father worked as a public school administrator while his mother managed parks for New York City Parks and Recreation. He attended August Martin High School before briefly studying at City College of New York in Harlem during 1975. A young DJ named Kurt Walker influenced him to join the hip hop phenomenon that year. Hearing Eddie Cheeba perform in Harlem in 1977 changed everything for him. Simmons later stated hearing Cheeba made him feel like he had just witnessed the invention of the wheel. Robert Ford Jr. met him in 1979 and began teaching him about the music business. Ford became his guru and opened doors to industry events.
Simmons co-founded Def Jam Recordings with Rick Rubin in 1984. The label signed acts including Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, DMX, and Kanye West. He produced or managed artists such as Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Whodini, and Jimmy Spicer before joining forces with Rubin. Under his leadership as chairman, the company grew rapidly. In 1992, he also produced the Def Comedy Jam television program which ran until 1997. After many mergers, Simmons sold his share of the company for $120 million to Universal Music Group in 1998. He co-produced and appeared in the 1985 film Krush Groove alongside other industry figures.
In 1992, Simmons launched the clothing line Phat Fashions LLC using the Phat Farm and Baby Phat labels. When first created, the clothing line was sold in a shop in the SoHo district of Manhattan. His connections with well-known rap artists helped promote the clothing line to a wide audience. Designers like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger influenced the classic look and feel of the brand. Phat Fashions encompassed hip hop clothing for women and children as well as men. The lifestyle brand added jewelry, perfume, and other merchandise over time. It sold merchandise in two stores in New York and Montreal plus online at www.phatfarm.com. Some 3,000 retailers in the United States carried the clothing line. In 2004, Simmons sold Phat Farm and Baby Phat to the Kellwood Company for $140 million.
In November 2017, model Keri Claussen Khalighi accused Simmons of raping her in 1991 when she was 17 years old. Simmons denied that the encounter was non-consensual. On the 30th of November 2017, writer Jenny Lumet claimed that Simmons had raped her in 1991. That same day, HBO announced they would be removing Simmons' name and likeness from his stand-up comedy specials starting December 1. On the 13th of December 2017, five women accused Simmons of sexual misconduct including another alleged rape according to an investigative report by the Los Angeles Times. The New York Times published accounts of four other women who accused him of inappropriate conduct including three more alleged rapes on the same day. Simmons stated he never had a sexual encounter that was not consensual or lawful ever.
On the 9th of February 2018, Simmons denied the allegations to Rolling Stone saying he vehemently denies all claims made against him. He said he has never been abusive or violent in any way in his relations with women. On the 25th of April 2018, Jennifer Jarosik dropped her lawsuit alleging Simmons raped her. The suit was dismissed with prejudice meaning she cannot refile allegations in court. On the 13th of February 2024, a lawsuit filed by Jane Doe in New York Federal Court alleged she was sexually assaulted and harassed by her boss Russell Simmons in the 1990s. This occurred while pursuing professional ambitions as an executive at Def Jam. On the 15th of February 2024, another lawsuit alleging defamation was filed against Simmons by former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon. She was previously one of three women to accuse him of rape in the December 2017 New York Times article.
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Common questions
When and where was Russell Simmons born?
Russell Wendell Simmons was born in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens on the 4th of October 1957. His father worked as a public school administrator while his mother managed parks for New York City Parks and Recreation.
What companies did Russell Simmons co-found or launch?
Russ Simmons co-founded Def Jam Recordings with Rick Rubin in 1984 and launched Phat Fashions LLC using the Phat Farm and Baby Phat labels in 1992. He sold his share of Def Jam to Universal Music Group in 1998 and sold Phat Farm and Baby Phat to the Kellwood Company in 2004.
Why did Russell Simmons become a vegan?
Russ Simmons has been a vegan since 1999 after watching the film Diet for a New America in the 1990s. He cites animal rights along with environmental and health benefits as his motivation for this lifestyle change.
Who accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct in 2017?
In November 2017, model Keri Claussen Khalighi accused Simmons of raping her in 1991 when she was 17 years old. On the 30th of November 2017, writer Jenny Lumet claimed that Simmons had raped her in 1991.
What legal actions were taken against Russell Simmons in February 2024?
On the 13th of February 2024, a lawsuit filed by Jane Doe in New York Federal Court alleged she was sexually assaulted and harassed by her boss Russell Simmons in the 1990s. On the 15th of February 2024, another lawsuit alleging defamation was filed against Simmons by former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon.