Eventually Russell Simmons will get around to telling the truth. It probably
won’t be anytime soon, but there’s always hope, as slim as it might be.
Simmons is by most accounts the ambassador and titular head of hip hop. From his role in the development of the landmark music label Def Jam records with Rick Rubin in the 80s, to the eponymous Broadway and HBO spoken word program Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam; Simmons has led the evolution of hip hop each step of the way.
Even today, his news and entertainment website Globalgrind.com is arguably the leader for all things pop and political and their sometimes curious intersection. Despite Simmons’ illustrious and unparalleled impact on popular culture, he’s been historically loathe to tell the truth. Recently Ashley Judd apologized for remarks relating to her reticence to work with
YouthAIDS, because of its affiliation with Snoop Dogg and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
As far as I’m concerned, most rap and hip-hop music — with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as ‘hos’ — is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny.”
Although we should be able to agree that the phrase “rape culture” may be hyperbolic and incendiary, the rest of Judd’s quote is accurate. Russell Simmons, who although was kind enough to publish Judd’s apology, has yet to get around to using his influence to address, acknowledge or more importantly admonish the hip hop community for its deplorable treatment of women.
Eventually Russell Simmons will get around to telling the truth. It just won’t be anytime soon.
March 15, 2011 – Simmons published an editorial detailing the cold shoulder comedian Bill Cosby gave him recently, allegedly related to an ongoing dispute over the imagery and impact of hip hop on youth. Instead of acknowledging the truth and accuracy of Cosby’s criticisms, Simmons chose instead to focus on Cosby’s profanity and dismissive attitude towards him.
When I look back, I feel remorse for judging him (Cosby). And it has been a source of a “rap beef” for years. He has been critical of the poets but I have maintained that the entertainment, especially most of the poets, are simple reflections of cultures of truth.”
How Simmons managed to bypass and step across the historical vulgarity of hip hop to chastise Bill Cosby for his use of profanity is not only hypocritical, it’s hysterically laughable. In addition, euphemistically characterizing rappers as “poets” to obfuscate hip hop reality is another distortion of the very “truth” he purports hip hop represents. Nevertheless, Simmons’ version of the “truth” always stops short of critical analysis of the hip hop genre.
Remember, Simmons was clear… “I have maintained that the entertainment, especially most of the poets, are simple reflections of cultures of truth.”
Hip hop degrading women is not reflective of any truth, with the exception of the permissive nature of the ONLY music genre which employs and celebrates it. It is neither appreciated nor acceptable in the real world where the rest of us live; only in hip hop…and that’s the truth…Russell.
March 24, 2011 – Simmons came to the defense of social pariah Chris Brown with the editorial, Chris Brown: When Fame Snatches Your Freedom
I sat with Chris Brown, one of the greatest performing artists of his time, during his celebration dinner for the release of his new album, F.A.M.E. I know that this young man’s dancing, singing and art are his prayers. Without them, he’s left to deal with a cluttered world in a way that is far too complicated than he imagined when he was a 13-year-old kid with a dream of being famous. I am troubled by the people, critics and members of the media who drag Chris away from his art. His freedom is deeply rooted in his artistic expression. It is during those seconds of stillness when you’re dancing that the Christ/Buddha/Allah/Moses inside of you is awakened and comes to power.”
Not only did Simmons manage to avoid offering any thoughts on the evils of domestic violence against women, he even placed blame with those who find fault with Brown for punching out Rihanna or the windows while at Good Morning America.
“It is during those seconds of stillness when you’re dancing that the Christ/Buddha/Allah/Moses inside of you is awakened and comes to power.”
– Russell Simmons on Chris Brown
Russell…care to comment on what Christ/Buddha/Allah/Moses might have to say about beating the snot out of a woman? Mic checka…1-2-1-2 (Mo’Kelly hands Simmons the microphone).
Didn’t think so…
If misogyny were a drug, Simmons would be the chief enabler for the user, the head lobbyist on Capitol Hill for the legislator and the top neighborhood dealer.
One’s art is never explanation , or justification for criminal behavior. This applies to Charlie Sheen, Roman Polanski and most definitely Chris Brown. Russell Simmons is simply not interested in telling the truth about hip hop or the misogyny found within it. He is complicit in its promulgation and it’s time SOMEBODY told the truth. Mo’Kelly needs to say it again…
If misogyny were a drug, Simmons would be the chief enabler for the user, the head lobbyist on Capitol Hill for the legislator and the top neighborhood dealer.
Let’s now go deeper on this search for “truth.”
The powerful messages and imagery of hip hop don’t only have deleterious effects on the masses, but also the messengers who impart them. The lines between artistry and reality have been blurred to the point that hip hop artists by and large are destined to become imprisoned, broke, or both.
In the first 3.5 months of 2011, the first 100 days, the following rappers…er uh, POETS have been arrested.
Young Fly Richy (Just added 4.13) – Filing False Police Report/Faking Death
Skull Duggery (Just added 4.13) – Possession of Child Porn, Just Sentenced
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2011/04/13/22670592.aspx
DMX – Parole violation
http://quieroweb.net/dmx-one-year-in-prison-for-violating-probation.htm
Juelz Santana – Drugs
http://kimoracochran.com/rapper-juelz-santana-arrest/
Jim Jones – Suspended License
Juvenile – Drugs
http://www.tmz.com/2011/02/27/juvenile-arrested-marijuana-possession-louisiana-weed-pot/
Gucci Mane – Reckless Driving/Parole violation of drug sentence
http://www.avclub.com/articles/rapper-gucci-mane-arrested-again,47165/
Gucci Mane – AGAIN (Battery – throwing a woman from a moving car)
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20052834-504083.html
Flocka Flame – Drug and weapons
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655228/waka-flocka-flame-arrested-on-drug-weapons-charges.jhtml
Rick Ross – Drugs
http://ca.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idCATRE72R6OQ20110328
40 Glocc – Weapons
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/01/rapper-40-glocc-arrested-in-san-bernardino.html
Webbie – Drugs
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=14398358
Swag – Drugs
http://www.prohiphop.com/2011/01/rapper-swag-arrested-for-running-a-drug-operation.html
Dorrough – Drugs
http://blogonblast.com/2011/02/08/dallas-rapper-dorrough-arrested/
Koke – Murder
Now for the list of just NOTABLE rappers POETS either presently in, or on their way to jail in 2011.
C-Murder – Murder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-Murder
Scarface – Failure to pay child support and other unrelated federal charges
http://hiphopwired.com/2011/02/03/rapper-scarface-arrested-held-without-bail/
Willie D – Wire and fraud charges
http://hiphopwired.com/2011/02/03/rapper-scarface-arrested-held-without-bail/
T. I. – Guns, Weapons, Parole violations
http://www.tmz.com/2010/11/01/t-i-jail-prison-federal-probation/
Ja Rule – Weapons, Tax Evasion
That is just a short list of those in jail or on their way to jail in the first 100 days of 2011. The list does not include those recently released (i.e. Lil Wayne, Prodigy, Mystikal, Shyne, Da Brat et al.)
Maybe if Ashley Judd changed “rape culture” to “drug and prison culture” there would have been little blowback from hip hop POET apologists.
If it’s about detailing the “simple reflections of cultures of truth” then let’s do that. Clearly Simmons isn’t about the business of engaging hip hop in a dialogue which involves critical self-analysis. Might as well be Mo’Kelly then. Simmons will likely tell you that “fame” snatched away all of their freedom too and we as law-abiding citizens should be loathe to criticize them or their criminal behavior. Don’t hate Mo’Kelly Russell, he’s just a “poet of prose” shining a light on the truth.
Ashley Judd should not have apologized for telling the truth. The historical treatment of women in relation to hip hop is indefensible. The uncritical, irresponsible complicity of Russell Simmons is equally undeniable.
Eventually Russell Simmons will get around to telling the truth. On second thought, make that “hopefully.”
No guarantees.
The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and EURWEB.com. For more Mo’Kelly, https://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at [email protected].
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8 responses to “Russell Simmons – Start Telling the Truth”
I wholeheartedly agree – Ashely owed NO apology for telling THE TRUTH. Thank you brother MoKelly for being (dare I say…) one of the FEW men to speak out on this issue. This hatred of women in our culture has really got to STOP. Keep calling them out Mo!
Great piece. Agree with you 100%.
I knew about the troubles of a few of these rappers, but my goodness, not all of them. It’s worse than I thought!!!….. didn’t know the list was that long. Ashley Judd shouldn’t have apologized for anything she said. I hope she recants her apology.
I lost most of my respect for Russell a long time ago. The little bit that I had left is now officially gone. He is defending damaged & broken men who don’t (seem to) want to make positive changes in their personal or public lives, as if we need any more defenders of damaged & broken men and their behaviors.
Thank you for highlighting this. What a shame that you’re one of the very few men who’ll speak out against the misogyny & abuse against women in hip-hop/rap music and otherwise. I’m gonna pass this along to some people.
Another hypocrite gets murked by the great MoKelly. Great piece!
Awesome post. As usual, you bring the truth with intensity. Keep it comin’. ~Mia
Great piece, Mo. The hip-hop/rap culture and industry are major violators of human rights and social dignity, not only of African American women but, of the plight of women worldwide.
We would be remiss not to include the recording and entertainment industry at large for accepted exploitative depictions of women as chattel and two dimensional objects of depersonalized lust.
The dilemma faced by most female vocalists or actors, serious about advancing in their careers, unfortunately includes gratuitous, explicit sexual actions as performance criteria within their particular genres.
Hi Mo. I agree with Mia C, you bring “truth with intensity”, (and humor)!
Why would we ever expect Simmons or any other hi-hop mogul to bite the hand that feeds them? They long ago sold their soul for riches.
“It is during those seconds of stillness when you’re dancing that the Christ/Buddha/Allah/Moses inside of you is awakened and comes to power.” What is this quasi-spiritual crap? Rev. Run should work a little harder to save his brother.
Jetta, first thank you for the kind words. Here’s some insight to how and why I choose certain topics. It would be foolish to think that Russell Simmons would change direction or honestly go about the business of addressing the pathologies found in hip hop. But it doesn’t mean that I have to be complicit in it. I have no financial stake in not pissing off hip hop enablers. Sometimes being the one reminding the masses that up is still up and right is still different from wrong is the thing to do.
If you let silliness go on without dissent, people let you rewrite history, justify their disrespect of you and further ingrain the wrong-headed mentalities which plague us. It may give Simmons pause the next time he wants to gleefully gloss over the problems of hip hop…and that for me is better than where we were before I put pen to paper.
Sometimes just speaking out is change enough. We can’t let certain things go unchallenged. I spoke out this time as did writer Kevin Powell. Next time there will be others too.
Mo, I couldn’t agree more. There is a moral imperative to call out bad behavior, which at least heightens awareness of the behavior and may, just may. tweak someone’s conciousness. As the mother of a now-adult woman who respects herself and demands that others do also, hip-hop devaluation of women was something I fought against when she was a pre-teen and teen. Oh, the fights we had, because certain CDs were not allowed in my house. Parents have to be aware and involved to prevent their children from being overly influenced by the negative aspects of popular culture.