Russell Simmons (born October 4 ,1957 in Queens, New York), is an American entrepreneur and record producer. Simmons was the former owner of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, a founder of Russell Simmons Music Group, and the creator of the clothing fashion line Phat Farm and the fragrance label Atman.
Russell Simmons is the third richest hip hop entrepreneur, having a net-worth estimate of $340 million. , behind Jay-Z ($547M) and Sean Combs ($358M).
Def Poetry, also known as Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry or Def Poetry Jam, is an HBO television series produced by hip-hop music entrepreneur Russell Simmons. The series presents performances by poets who are established in the world of poetry slams, as well as up-and-coming ones. Well-known actors and musicians will often surprise the audience by showing up to recite their own original poems. The show is hosted by Mos Def. Def Poetry is a spin-off of Def Comedy Jam. As he did on Def Comedy, Simmons appears at the end of every episode to thank the audience. The show premiered in 2002 and is currently still in running.
A live stage production, Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam ran on Broadway from November 2002 to May 2003, and subsequently toured.
