Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, + God

By Russell Simmons

Book Overview

Russell Simmons, the original and eternal hip-hop mogul, is one of the most innovative and influential figures in modern American business and culture. When no one outside of inner-city New York had even heard of hip-hop, Simmons saw the seeds of a global force that would change the way people talk, dress, listen to music, and choose the heroes they hang on their walls. Today, he oversees a sprawling, multimillion-dollar empire of culture-defining businesses in everything from music to fashion, advertising to film, and media to visual art. At the same time he's broadened his interests and influence and pushed hip-hop to new plateaus of power and relevance.Life and Defis a one-of-a-kind tale that interweaves the remarkable journey of Russell Simmons with the story of the culture he's transformed and been transformed by. In his own brash, compelling voice, Simmons chronicles his numerous business successes and occasional failures. He tells the story of the founding of the legendary Def Jam Records, whose roster stretches from original rap icons like L.L. Cool J, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys to today's top stars, including Jay-Z and DMX. He traces the launching of Def Comedy Jam, the long-running hit television series that introduced a new generation of black comedic stars to America, from Martin Lawrence and Bill Bellamy to Bernie Mac and Chris Rock. He spins hilarious tales of his adventures in Hollywood, where he's produced hit movies like Eddie Murphy's The Nutty Professor and worked with quirky geniuses like Abel Ferrara. He also tells the story of Phat Farm, the wildly successful pioneering urban clothing label whose origins lay in Russell's longtime fascination with fashion (and fashion models). Simmons's story is also one of personal transformation, from the driven man who in the heady days of early success indulged himself with drugs, sex, and world-class decadence to the husband and father he is today, a man who has found meaning in activism, philanthropy, and spiritual practice while never losing his passion for the social, political, artistic, and commercial potential of hip-hop. Through it all he relates telling anecdotes about the characters he's dealt with: models and gangsters, street poets and gurus, and major players like Donald Trump, Sean Combs, Jon Peters, and Tupac Shakur. Full of advice, opinions, and behind-the-scenes scoop,Life and Defis the story of the quintessential hip-hop life. From the Hardcover edition.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609606077
• ISBN13: 9780609606070
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 237 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

A look at the soft side of Russell Simmons

Like you, I always thought Russell Simmons was a bigger than life, take no prisoners kind of personality. Who knew that Russell is as sensitive as Oscar Wilde and as munificient as Greg Louganis? Oh sure, he acts all tough in interviews, but this book peels away the layers and shows that Russell's heart beats just like yours and mine -- maybe more -- definitely better. For example, did you know that Mr. Simmons was voted "Top Alto" in his high school glee club? Did you also know he was the ghost writer of "Wind Beneath My Wings"? What about the notion that Russell Simmons will never tip less than 14% -- even if the service is bad? And what really suprised me, is that he curiously names REO Speedwagon as the band he admires the most. I salute you Mr. Simmons and hope that this is just the first of his many, many super intelligent and unbelievably insightful self-serving books.

THE URBAN MUSIC BLUE PRINT FOR SUCCESS

Simply put: "Life and Def" does the best job of illustrating (with real life examples) how to survive and thrive in the music industry. This is the most important book for urban entrepreneurs to own.Buy it today!

rare reader

This book should attract anyone, because of the many fields Russell has been in. I read this book in three sitting and I NEVER read books, and afterwards I felt as if a could accomplish anything.

Wisdom has been passed on!!!!

As you may have read some may say that they expected more. You have to read deeper into the book. I believe this is a great book, it shy's away from the glamour and focuses on the reality. Many may think that the industry and the super star lifestyle is a lucky life but it is a hard life, one that you choose the dedicate your life to. Russell gives you insight on the situations and how to handle them. Wisdom has been passed on and only of you have the same drive will you understand the message.

the blueprint

russell simmons is the man who set the blueprint for the hip-hop game and he breaks down how to do it for anyone who wants to know how to turn a hot culture into a long-term industry. he explains how he started def jam, his philosophy about finding and promoting artists, how he launched phat farm, how he launched def comedy jam, how he produced movies like the "nutty professor." russell didn't get anything easy--he had to fight against the gatekeepers who didn't understand hip-hop, but in the process he created the blueprint for how to take a powerful, but marginal, culture global. if you're someone interested in business or hip-hop, this is the book for you.