About this title: Hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons is one of the most successful figures to have emerged from the genre since its appearance in the early 1980s. Here, he tells of his early days as a promoter of neighborhood dances, his part in the success of many of the most influential hip-hop acts, including his little brother Joey's crew Run-DMC, the ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Date Published: 2002-09-24
ISBN-13:9780609807156ISBN:0609807153
Description: Very good. Very minimal damage to the cover (no holes or tears, only minimal scuff marks), in some instances dust jackets are not included, no missing pages, minimal to no highlighting/under. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780609807156ISBN:0609807153
Description: Very Good. Used book, Light wear to the extremities, contents tight and clean Nice, tight, clean copy. All items ship from Gig Harbor, Wa within 24 hrs! read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA)
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780609807156ISBN:0609807153
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 288 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. used but not abused, no markings to interior read more
Description: Very good; Collectible. No writings/underlines/highlights. Inside pages are very nice and clean. Free track. Satisfaction guaranteed! Fast! read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: THREE RIVERS PR
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780609807156ISBN:0609807153
Description: 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 g... read more
"The title speaks for itself. In the late sixties and seventies, he speaks about drugs and money--how he sold artificial drugs as a youth and later when gangs formulated in Queens, Harlem, and surrounding cities. He later realized that he came from a decent neighborhood and good-home training, why was he in the street selling fake drugs (cocoa leaf as if it was cocaine) and hanging out with gangs (for those who came from broken homes)--so he got out before death came knocking at his door.
He went to college and before finishing his degree in sociology like his mother, only 4-5 credits short from a degree, he started his record company. Now, we see how he built his empire and all came into fruition for Def Jam, later Phat Farm, and other business ventures.
While reading this book, it brought back memories when I loved hip-hop and rap. There was debates on who were the first rappers in the game such as Kurtis Blow (first male solo artist) 1977, Afrikka Bambaataa, and/or Sugar Hill Gang. It also made me remember when my father bought off the ramp of Chicago freeway an album of "Rapper's Delight" by Sugar Hill when I was only 7 years old. I was into the cover and later we loved the song! Then, you have the hard hitters like L.L. Cool J, Run D.M.C. and controversial rap groups like Beastie Boys and PE (public enemy). Now I am questioning why I loved rap then and dislike it now! He also talks briefly about Jay-Z and DMC, marriage, and pictures to refer to those times in the rap game (family photos, etc).
Oddly, when he mentions some of these titles from various artists, I remember the chorus line after all these years. I also thought about from 83-90, when I lived in the Midwest (Chicago), New York, and West Coast (California) where the music varied from east coast to west coast music and artists including tunes of dance/house music! I recall how some rap artists were played all over, regardless of east-west coast rivalries...and thinking back, sometimes east coast (NY) would only play their rappers and vice versa in the west coast...but Midwest played them both. We heard Too-Short, NWA, Easy-E, as well as Run DMC, Public Enemy, and LL Cool J while we rocked to stepping sounds and house music. Loved it when I lived in Chicago area!"
"Ehhh...it was aiiight....not much detail about his personal story, but more an overview of his business ventures and little tidbits of advice. I was expecting a lot more, but it's worth reading for anyone interested in hip hop culture, or the music business. I hope someday he writes a real autobiography, and maybe uses a decent co writer!"
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