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Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, + God
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 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.
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 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.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
15 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Russell Simmons
20 books102 followersRussell Wendell Simmons is an American entrepreneur, writer and record executive. He co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings, and created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. Simmons' net worth was estimated at $340 million in 2011.
After producing or managing artists such as Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Whodini, and Jimmy Spicer, Simmons joined forces with producer Rick Rubin to found Def Jam Recordings. Under Simmons' leadership as chairman, Def Jam signed acts including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, L.L. Cool J., Jay-Z, DMX, and Kanye West. From 1992 to 1997, he also produced the Def Comedy Jam television program.
Simmons has promoted veganism and a yoga lifestyle. He also published books about healthy lifestyle and entrepreneurship. In 2017, Simmons was publicly accused of sexual assault by multiple women; he denied the allegations. Following these allegations, Simmons stepped down from his various business roles and charities, including his position at Def Jam.
After producing or managing artists such as Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Whodini, and Jimmy Spicer, Simmons joined forces with producer Rick Rubin to found Def Jam Recordings. Under Simmons' leadership as chairman, Def Jam signed acts including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, L.L. Cool J., Jay-Z, DMX, and Kanye West. From 1992 to 1997, he also produced the Def Comedy Jam television program.
Simmons has promoted veganism and a yoga lifestyle. He also published books about healthy lifestyle and entrepreneurship. In 2017, Simmons was publicly accused of sexual assault by multiple women; he denied the allegations. Following these allegations, Simmons stepped down from his various business roles and charities, including his position at Def Jam.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 14, 2009
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!
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!
October 14, 2015
This book inspired me. They way Russell tells the story of how he started to wear he ended up is shocking. Growing up in Brooklyn in that part of town could be scary, from selling fake cocaine to being in a gang, Russell shows how never giving up on your dream can get you to where you wanna go. I love how he talks about meeting some of the famous artists nowadays just by doing his job. Being a show promoter and starting my own clothing line sounds pretty awesome. Like I said, his story inspired me.
June 24, 2009
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!
May 30, 2010
This book, written by Russell Simmons is just talking about what goes around in his area, with rappers, and such, involving what the title states "Sex, drugs, money + God". In my opinion I didn't really enjoy the book that much, was sort of boring.
September 18, 2007
the biggest themes in this book are cocaine, cellphones & yoga. things that are really annoying when other people do/use them...but you're okay when you do/use them.
December 18, 2012
Russel Simmons' work in Sex, Drugs, Money, + God was a compelling depiction of the pitfalls of wanting, striving to achieve at any cost, and having success, Without and with God's blessing. It reminds me of my own life; where I've been; what I was willing to do;what I'm capable of; and where it ultimately led and now leads me. Inspiring.
May 28, 2015
Great story of the co-founder of one of the best record labels in Rap music history. Gives the reader a glimpse into the man behind the multiple business ventures that directly or indirectly influenced the music industry when it was time for a change.
August 13, 2007
life is luck and work
February 3, 2008
What a story!!!
September 17, 2010
Russell is a force, he has opened my eyes to business.
Not just the music, but the business of life and the life of business,I love it all.
Visionary, this needs to be in all of our homes.
Not just the music, but the business of life and the life of business,I love it all.
Visionary, this needs to be in all of our homes.
October 16, 2012
Great book not just about Russell but also about the early beginnings of hip hop and how he helped to shape it.-
March 2, 2016
2 star writing but 5 stars for the true story.
September 23, 2019
I actually took notes he provided very valuable tools that can be used for entrepreneurs .
What took me for a loop was how he spoke about his relationship with Trump. I guess reading it this day in age and Trump behavior it’s just hard to respect anyone with that type of ignorance so I was giving Russell a side eye by the end of the book.
Great business advice but not a good judgement of character.
What took me for a loop was how he spoke about his relationship with Trump. I guess reading it this day in age and Trump behavior it’s just hard to respect anyone with that type of ignorance so I was giving Russell a side eye by the end of the book.
Great business advice but not a good judgement of character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2025
Quick and fun read - picked up at a local give a book / take a book front yard library and read it cover to cover on a flight from LA to Houston… a little self gratuitous, but enjoyed the history and background nonetheless…
September 20, 2017
This was a fun read but not terribly deep. A fascinating insight into the early formations of hip hop but definitely heavy handed in self congratulation. Easy ride though if interested.
January 28, 2019
Shitty book by a sex offender.
December 22, 2018
Interesting and I wonder how much is true.. doesn’t the author say in the beginning he might be embellishing? And cool that he reveals info about Biggie & Tu-pac. I believe that Russell is right concerning Hip Hop, and I like his thoughts about it.
June 25, 2025
Individualism, materialism, pragmatism, hedonism, new thought. Being a self-made entrepreneur is sacred, meditation is a grounding tool for emotions, pleasure is encouraged if you're wise to the consequences, and God is the same as your inner voice.
There's not much that's redeemable from the cringe of this book. I read this during a time when I wanted to do somewhat elaborate research for Youtube reviews of the works of "great" people in the public conscious, and I began with Eminem. I read this to expand my knowledge of hip-hop, and I got a self-help/motivational book disguised as biography. The writing is annoying, an attempt at retaining a street aesthetic with conversational tone, asides for punchlines, sudden introspective interjections, slang, etc. There seems to be no real coherence to the timeline that he chops up, giving a sense not of even forced nonlinear narrative creativity, but laziness and lack of focus. The philosophy is just as bling-and-flex materialism as hip hop in large part, which I inherently disagree with. He tries to slow down the prose when he talks about his spiritualism, to create a sense of clarity from the danger and challenge of the hustle, but his spiritualism is so vague and hustle-centered that he'd might as well just be using the space to recommend we drink tea and eat vegetables. It's just mild mindfulness. He randomly talks to the reader in second-person like a coach, emphatically giving you imperatives, which is condescending and annoying.
His anecdotes are usually fairly brief, lack nuance, and are usually pivoted into a kind of sloganeering for success and power. His spirituality is branding, his machismo toward women isn't interrogated at all, everything is so clunky that his memories come off as likely insincerely recollected. And we're all familiar with the rags to riches arc, so there's not much here except a cringy slice of life. Its main saving grace is that it's a very easy read, he's got a fine sense of humor, and he keeps the pace entertaining.
3/10
There's not much that's redeemable from the cringe of this book. I read this during a time when I wanted to do somewhat elaborate research for Youtube reviews of the works of "great" people in the public conscious, and I began with Eminem. I read this to expand my knowledge of hip-hop, and I got a self-help/motivational book disguised as biography. The writing is annoying, an attempt at retaining a street aesthetic with conversational tone, asides for punchlines, sudden introspective interjections, slang, etc. There seems to be no real coherence to the timeline that he chops up, giving a sense not of even forced nonlinear narrative creativity, but laziness and lack of focus. The philosophy is just as bling-and-flex materialism as hip hop in large part, which I inherently disagree with. He tries to slow down the prose when he talks about his spiritualism, to create a sense of clarity from the danger and challenge of the hustle, but his spiritualism is so vague and hustle-centered that he'd might as well just be using the space to recommend we drink tea and eat vegetables. It's just mild mindfulness. He randomly talks to the reader in second-person like a coach, emphatically giving you imperatives, which is condescending and annoying.
His anecdotes are usually fairly brief, lack nuance, and are usually pivoted into a kind of sloganeering for success and power. His spirituality is branding, his machismo toward women isn't interrogated at all, everything is so clunky that his memories come off as likely insincerely recollected. And we're all familiar with the rags to riches arc, so there's not much here except a cringy slice of life. Its main saving grace is that it's a very easy read, he's got a fine sense of humor, and he keeps the pace entertaining.
3/10
February 26, 2019
Great story of the early years of hip hop, a must for all hip hop heads
May 4, 2017
it was interesting but I still don't respect how he did Kimora Lee Simmons but w/e
July 13, 2010
very powerful message highly recommended
January 21, 2013
Interesting insights into the early days of Hip Hop and a good documentation of Def Jams history.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews