Words by Shanice Stephanie & NDSmith
Russell Simmons aka Uncle Rush turns 60 today!
Born on this day in 1957, a Hollis, Queens native turned a side-college hustle into a cultural phenomenon and became the face of “The Hip-Hop Mogul”. Simmons is one of the man players that changed the industry landscape of Urban music, making it pop entertainment. And as an entrepreneur, producer, best-selling author, philanthropist and yoga practitioner, he not only creates brands but is “The Brand”.
Co-founder of Def Jam Recordings & Rush Management, he with his team have pushed artists like Kurtis Blow, Foxy Brown, The Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Jay Z and LL Cool J into superstardom. This year Simmons celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the hit television HBO comedy series “Russell Simmons Presents Def Comedy Jam” and is celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the hit series “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam” with business partner Stan Lathan. A brand new generation of millennials know him from hit movies like The Nutty Professor and his hit MTV show “Run’s House”with his brother Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons and family.
As if what he has done in the first 50 years of his life isn’t enough, this OG can’t stop and won’t stop. He is the Chairman and CEO of Rush Communications, which consist of 10 businesses and three non- profits and focuses much of his time on being an activist who advocates Ahimsa and veganism, and animal rights.
This media mogul has also been a long time believer in yoga and meditation. November of 2016 Russell Simmons opened a luxe wellness centre, Tantris, in West Hollywood. This space includes two studios, a juice bar and a blow dry bar. Being a dedicated yogi for 20 plus years, Simmons personally teaches a class every Fridays called “Devotional Music”.
On his Instagram page. Uncle Rush continued to drop words of wisdom in a note to himself . The note reads “Starting midnight meditation I’ll be 60 when it’s over. / I can’t pray for or ask for anything for myself (I have everything) I have beautiful children, great family and amazing friends. All I can pray for now is the freedom and happiness of all beings. Let my next 60 years find me in full service of the collective (God). Let me gain strength so that my prayers and efforts work together to help us all achieve HEAVEN ON EARTH”. With that being said… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
