Everything You Need To Know About Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons is a New Yorker who is best known as the founder of his hip-hop label, Def Jam Recordings, which he co-created with Rick Rubin. The label is partly responsible for the successes of Public Enemy, LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys and Slayer. Hip-hop icon Jay-Z also presided as president of this label. It is just one of the ventures that brought Russell Simmons great wealth—in fact, CNN reported in 2011 that Russell’s net worth is an estimated $340 million.
Another great contributor to Russell’s success is his clothing line Phat Farm. This male clothing line was founded in 1992 and it also spawned a female line, Baby Phat. Russell manages the clothing lines with his ex-wife, Kimora Lee Simmons. Russell originally met Kimora when she modeled for a fashion show in 1992. After dating for four years, they married in 1998. Despite getting divorced in 2009, the couple remains friends and continues to work on the Phat clothing lines together. They also have two daughters together.
Russell also has his own film production company, Simmons Lathan Media, in partnership with Stan Lathan. In 2012, USA Today named Russell as one of the 25 most influential people over the last 25 years.