Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American business magnate. He and Rick Rubin founded the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, he also created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and American Classics.
In 2008, Simmons hosted The Race to BE competition, to help encourage young people to consider entrepreneurship and the arts in endeavors such as music, fashion and film.