Aliases
Russ


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Quick Bio
Simmons attended City College of New York but left his studies to promote local rap music acts, including Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC, and produce records. In 1984, he met New York University student Rick Rubin and together they founded Def Jam Records, signing the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Run-DMC and other acts.

Def Jam became just one piece in Simmons' corporation, Rush Communications, which included a management company, a clothing company called Phat Farm, a movie production house, television shows such as Def Comedy Jam, a magazine, and an advertising agency. Simmons sold his stake in the record company for $100 million to Universal Music Group in 1999[2]. The up and coming component of Rush Communications is the sneaker company Run Athletics, a company that produces the Legacy and Arthur Ashe shoes.