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 | Russell Simmons
He gave the keynote speech at the summit. |
Russell 'Rush' Simmons is co-founder of Def Jam Records and generally credited with bringing hip hop to the mainstream. Back in the late 90s he sold his stake in Def Jam but now he's back with Russell Simmons Music Group.
Not only involved in the musical side, Simmons was one of the first entrepreneurs to launch his own clothing label (Phat Farm). He's worked on numerous film and TV projects, as well as being a major part of the Summit Action Network.  The speech in fullOn maintaining your integrity as a DJ and Payola"The world can teach you to be a sheep, but in your heart you know better. Play what you gotta play, if you're playing the wrong ish 'cause someone payed you...that's wrong. Don't let nobody corrupt you."On moving on to digital music"I'm old and I know things change and evolve. If you have an open mind you wanna move around, don't be rigid. Be open minded and try to keep that free spirit. "On artists and politicians"Artists have greater power than the politicions. The Democrats wanted to change them laws in New York for 20 years, they couldn't do ish until 50 Cent said so..."The speech in full | Do artists have more power than politicans? More on the Power Summit |
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