Jul 09 2007
Russell Simmons - XXL Magazine

Russell Simmons: “You Can’t Tell Me I Can’t Have An Opinion About Rap”

In the dust of the Imus affair, MTV interviewed Snoop. During the conversation, Snoop brought up Russell Simmons, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson’s involvement in the ‘policing’ of hip-hop. Snoop.. “Those guys are irrelevant, if you ask me, and that’s not to disrespect them. I love what they do and how they do it, but they’re not players, they’re owners. You gotta get the players involved.”

Kind of like saying, let the kids figure this thing out for themselves.

When Russell Simmons appeared on Oprah and various cable news shows saying he agreed with some of the criticism against hip-hop, and later suggested through a Hip-Hop Summit Action Network press release that radio stations censor bitch, hoe and nigga from rap songs whenever they like, it opened the door for more criticism. This time from 50 Cent, T.I. and a lot of blogs. The talk around the juice box was that Uncle Russell was out of touch. Rap is from the streets, we just keeping it real. Don’t tell us to pretend these things don’t exist.

Russell Simmons sighed, and did a little yoga move to relieve the tension.

In this month’s XXL magazine, Russell Simmons defended his right to speak on hip-hop and explains his intentions for taking the ‘enemy’s’ position in the first place.

“I’m not saying I’m not out of touch. I’m saying they’re out of touch if they think they were playin’ ‘bitches’ and ‘hoes’ on the radio five years ago, even 10 years ago, cause it’s not true. They already beep those words, 75, 80 percent of the time. My recommendation is for them to do it a hundred percent.”

He added.. “You know, I was the first one to beep a rap record. I beeped Run DMC’s ‘Here We Go.’ Remember that?”

He goes on to say he’s actually looking out for hip-hop artists. Trying to be the filter, before potentially bigger consequences find their way into the mix.

“I know a lot more about what’s goin on in Congress and the Senate than they do right now. All of them. And I think that they are a little bit at risk. I really believe that there are bills being introduced and there are people who are really after them. I know the government’s capabilities. They’ll try to attach the lyrics to hate crimes. ‘Bitches’ and ‘hoes’ could be part of a hate crime.”

He talks about corporate responsibility, using Akon’s lost Verizon deal as an example.. “It wasn’t fair that he lost that endorsement, he’s got a great charity. But that’s what happens. If people don’t see that I’m looking out for the hip-hop business, than they’re crazy.”

Russell Simmons set the template for the corporate side of the hip-hop game.

The Men Behind Def Jam

Made America sounds a little extra, but OK.. “Russell Simmons took the cultural expression of an impoverished minority and innovated it as a business.”

Innovated to the tune of an estimated $300 million for himself.

Where he could kick back and relax..

Russell Simmons continues to run his businesses, help young people through the HSAN and through his books “Life and Def” and “Do You!”, enjoys spreading the wealth of his personal experience.

That’s the work that I do that is worthwhile. That’s why niggas can’t tell me that I can’t have an opinion about rap. Because I’m getting rap money, and I’m doing something with the rap money.. I work for hip-hop.

I’m the one person who loves the culture who’s worked for it my whole life.

My whole life.”


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 lisa-nj Tue, Jul 10, 2007 - 8:18 am

i like russell, that nigga is gangsta! valid points…

2 F Dat Wed, Jul 11, 2007 - 6:03 pm

Russ is more out of touch than Hal & Oats. He works for the people that control him.

3 RISSA WIFEY Tue, Jan 05, 2010 - 10:50 pm

you go russell i am glad you got rid of the burden on your life she had another baby with a nobody wow kimmora you went from queen to that ewwwwwwwww

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