Customer Reviews
GREAT BOOK 
2008-04-09
If your into the culture, then this is definitely a great read. I say that because you'll notice throughout this book that Russell Simmons' has had a hand in the development of almost every artist that emerged into the mainstream in the mid to late 80's. From Kurtis Blow to the Fresh Prince himself he's gotten paid. After reading this book, I'm convinced that Simmons was born to be who is.
Interesting Book 
2007-10-29
This book was fun to read, Russell details some of his adventures very well and intorduces us to the world of hip-hop from his point of view. I recommend it if you're at a beach somewhere having a corona or at starbucks and want to just read. If youre looking for business insights, not that many.
On Russell Simmons' Life 2007-06-01
A great book but you should know: the Vibe Mag quote at the top "...Learn how the godfather of hip hop did it...." only applies to a small portion of the book. For a book that fulfills this promise, check out: Hip Hop Inc (Richard Oliver)
A great book! 2007-04-18
Life and Def is a great book that shows that you can do anything if you try. This book is about Russell Simmons who lived in Queens, New York. He had an decent life and his parents were well-educated people but he still got sucked into the street life. He was a drug dealer on 205th street. He sold many different drugs though out his drug career but his main drug that he sold was marijuana. Russell Simmons was one of the first hip-hop promoters ever. He now owns big companies such as Phat Farm. He also has a share of Def Jam records and is a member of the rap group Run DMC. Russell Simmons is a remarkable person because he made something out of himself even though he made bad choices when he was a kid. I gave this book four stars because of his excellent writing as he shares the details of his childhood.
A look at the soft side of Russell Simmons 2006-01-18
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.
Informative Guide For Hip-Hop Music Moguls 2005-05-29
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 Def is 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 Def is the story of the quintessential hip-hop life.
From the Hardcover edition.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz..... 
2005-03-14
At the present time I am being forced to read this book in my Honors Seminar class, and for the life of me, I cannot find why I should enjoy this book as much as my professor does. This book is incredibly boring. My eyelids are heavy and if I did not have a paper to write on this thing, I would throw it to the bottom of my bed (never to open it again) and go to sleep.
For me, this book reads like a transcribed tape. Of course it has an editor, but I really feel like I'm listening to this man talk---which is not always a bad thing. Some [read: better and more interesting] books work well that way, but not this one. This book has me wondering, "why do I care about this?" and "who are these people?" These questions signal that it is very easy for a reader to get lost in the jumble.
Wow, just writing a REVIEW of this book is making me sleepier. Read this if you must. If you have some burning desire to learn more about Russell Simmons, then enjoy.
Inspiring Yet Lacking... 2005-01-06
Russell Simmons has undoubtedly led an extraordinary life, and he opens up quite candidly in this half autobiography/half how-to book. However, some of the stories I think he should have gone into more detail about, he instead chose to gloss over, as if they were just small footnotes. There are points in the book where Russell criticizes musical artists today for being too "pop;" he says flat-out that rock and roll has now just become rock because there is no movement behind it. He critiques the lack of vision, lack of defiance, and lack of hard edge. Yet, in many ways, the softcore turn of music is exactly what has occurred in his book. He barel mentions the hard times in his life-- times that would have exemplified just how far he's come-- such as his run-ins with the law and his brother's addiction to drugs. That is where I find the book lacking. Also, on a editorial note, I feel the writing could have been smoother. He repeats small details within pages of the original mention (such as how his younger brother is Run of Run DMC), as if assuming the average reader does not have a very long attention span and thus already forgot the facts. This is not to say I did not enjoy reading the book, though. Nor should my critique of these small details deter others from reading it: Russell's story is very inspiring, and it is amazing to see how much he did in such a small amount of time. He also offers some really interesting behind the scenes information about the music industry, and the underground music scene, especially in New York. Most professions do not allow their moguls to begin working until they at least have a four year college degree under their belt. Russell began managing and promoting when he was still a kid himself, and that is truly remarkable.
purple suit money 2004-11-04
Very interesting and informative book. Unlike the music he puts out, he doesn't make this book easily accessible to those outside of hiphop culture. He doesn't spoonfeed it for those who just don't get it. This is part history lesson and part real life illustration of how and why Russell makes the moves that he does.
The "purple suit" money breakdown was one of the more clear examples of his outlook that I've ever read. Russell details how he navigates easily between the actual world of hiphop and the corporations that shape what hiphop means to the world.
Real talk.
Who was the editor? DMX? 2004-09-27
You know ive been thinking about this book and im convince that its really a collection of essays. Such idiocy and ignorance but hes rich so that invalidates any meaningful criticism right? It hard to glean any game from this book because Simmons speaks with such idiotic broad strokes. Where is this book even interesting. I don`t give a crap about anything I read. Get Bad Boy by Ronin Ro its very educational and intensely entertaining. Here there is no figures states, business knowledge just a bunch of contradictions and in conherent half ass thoughts about music and culture. Super duper psuedo intellectual stuff. Think this is deep you, gotta be a midget.
