Russell Simmons Quotes

Powerful Russell Simmons for Daily Growth

About Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons, born on October 5, 1957, in Queens, New York, is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, social activist, and former hip-hop music executive who significantly influenced the culture of rap music. Known for co-founding the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings alongside Rick Rubin, Simmons' career spans various creative domains like music, fashion, film, and philanthropy. Born into a family rooted in spirituality, Russell was raised by his mother, Evelyn Simmons, who instilled values of altruism and self-improvement. His interest in the arts was sparked at an early age, leading him to study graphic design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan. In 1983, Simmons co-founded Def Jam Recordings with Rick Rubin as a small independent label. The label's artists, including LL Cool J, Run–DMC, and Public Enemy, revolutionized hip-hop music and transformed it into a mainstream phenomenon. In 1989, the company was sold to PolyGram for $47 million. Simmons expanded his business empire with the creation of Phat Farm clothing in 1992, which popularized urban fashion and grew into a multi-million dollar brand. His philanthropic efforts include co-founding Rush Communications Foundation, supporting various causes like education, arts, and social justice. As an author, Simmons penned several books that delve into his spiritual journey and personal growth, such as "Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success" and "Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All." His quotes reflect his philosophy of self-empowerment, love, and gratitude. Russell Simmons' contributions to the hip-hop industry, fashion, and philanthropy have cemented his status as a legendary figure who continues to inspire generations.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The foundation of happiness in a good joke."

This quote by Russell Simmons suggests that having a good sense of humor, specifically finding joy in a well-timed joke, contributes to personal happiness. A good joke can bring laughter, lighten moods, foster camaraderie, and provide a temporary escape from stressors. The ability to find humor in life's challenges helps maintain a positive outlook, which is an essential component of overall happiness.

"Success is not the answer, you are the answer. Success is growth, freedom and happiness."

This quote by Russell Simmons suggests that success is not a tangible outcome or achievement, but rather a state of personal development, autonomy, and joy. In other words, one becomes successful when they grow as individuals, gain independence, and experience happiness. The implication is that an individual's definition of success should align with their personal values and well-being, rather than chasing external accolades or material possessions. Embracing this perspective allows for a more holistic and fulfilling understanding of what it means to be successful.

"We all have something to give, and we're all here to help each other."

This quote by Russell Simmons underscores the essential interconnectedness among human beings, emphasizing that every individual possesses unique talents or resources to contribute towards collective betterment. The essence of his message is mutual aid and cooperation; we should strive to use our gifts not just for personal gain, but also to assist and uplift one another in society. It's a reminder that we share this world and its responsibilities, and by working together, we can create a more compassionate and prosperous community.

"Don't let success go to your head, but don't let failure go to your heart."

This quote by Russell Simmons emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance and perspective in the face of both success and failure. Success should not inflate one's ego or lead to arrogance; rather, it is a time for gratitude and continued growth. Similarly, failure should not discourage or dishearten, but instead serve as a learning opportunity to grow stronger and wiser. In essence, Simmons encourages us to stay humble amidst success and resilient in the face of setbacks, fostering a mindset conducive to lasting personal development and fulfillment.

"If you have more than three pairs of running shoes, you're not a runner."

This quote suggests that the true essence of being a "runner" lies not in the quantity of running shoes one owns, but rather in the regular practice and dedication to the activity itself. Having multiple pairs could indicate a casual interest or hobby, but not necessarily the discipline required to be considered a dedicated runner.

Respect your parents. What they tell you is true. Hard work, dedication and faith will get you anything. Imagination will drive itself. You can get anything you want, but you have to have faith behind all your ideas. Stick to your goals and have an undying faith.

- Russell Simmons

Work, Behind, Will, Faith

I think people instinctively know that their job is to give service and that they are part of a community. It had a great impact on me when my father walked the picket lines and I walked with him during the civil rights movement.

- Russell Simmons

Father, I Think, Part, Picket

I want to promote poetry to the point where you got all the baldhead kids running around doing poetry, getting the music out of the way and having only words, the spoken word, and then see what happens.

- Russell Simmons

Doing, Got, Around, Spoken Word

The conditions of suffering that exist today in our impoverished communities are not acceptable. The reflection of those conditions are less concerning to me. And I work everyday about changing the conditions.

- Russell Simmons

Work, Reflection, Acceptable, Impoverished

Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.

- Russell Simmons

Surround Yourself, Than, Smarter

Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Pick people who are interested in what you're interested in.

- Russell Simmons

Surround Yourself, Pick, Smarter

I've been blessed to find people who are smarter than I am, and they help me to execute the vision I have.

- Russell Simmons

Blessed, Been, Am, Smarter

I want to fight poverty and ignorance and give opportunity to those people who are locked out.

- Russell Simmons

Opportunity, Want, Give, Locked

The thing about hip-hop is that it's from the underground, ideas from the underbelly, from people who have mostly been locked out, who have not been recognized.

- Russell Simmons

Been, About, Mostly, Locked

I think when you're very dedicated to something and you're engaged fully, you become a giver.

- Russell Simmons

Think, Engaged, Very, Giver

If you wake up deciding what you want to give versus what you're going to get, you become a more successful person.

- Russell Simmons

Give, More, Going, Versus

If you wake up deciding what you want to give versus what you're going to get, you become a more successful person. In other words, if you want to make money, you have to help someone else make money.

- Russell Simmons

Give, Other, Going, Versus

There was a moment when I was watching Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in 'Badboys' that I felt, you know, inspired. I don't know if I was proud, because so many people do the work. Everyone's part of a team that develops over the years and gives people chances. There have been some good moments watching people develop.

- Russell Simmons

Some, Been, Smith, Lawrence

I have 2 million Twitter followers. Some of those people are also yogis and activists and people who really go out and make a difference. I do as much as I can with my voice. It's effortless in some cases. I try to remind everybody that they have that kind of voice.

- Russell Simmons

Voice, Some, Everybody, Make A Difference

I think I will always have a connection to young people, to try to bring their voices to the polls, bring their voices wherever they can make a difference.

- Russell Simmons

Think, Always, I Think, Make A Difference

Art allows people a way to dream their way out of their struggle.

- Russell Simmons

Art, People, Dream, Struggle

My financial service business is the absolute best thing I have done to empower the poor. I run many charities and fight many political causes, but my financial service company is the greatest gift I've given.

- Russell Simmons

Gift, Given, Charities, Greatest Gift

When I started the diamond business, no black person, period, was in it to do what we're trying to do to change the industry. So I like to do things that I see clearly that are in my, you know, scope. And then, I had to figure how I get talented or smart business people around me to execute. That's what I have to do.

- Russell Simmons

I See, Industry, Had, Business People

I try to create businesses that I think are not hurtful.

- Russell Simmons

Think, Hurtful, I Think, Businesses

I'm a creative guy. And I only do businesses as a result of like I've - I'm try to find what my gifts are and give them immediately. As soon as I get them and I understand, I give them back.

- Russell Simmons

Give, Understand, Like, Businesses

I try to keep a positive intention and use whatever resources I have to benefit others. I try to create businesses that I think are not hurtful. I try to do things that I think are helpful to the environment, to the animals, and to the planet.

- Russell Simmons

Think, Hurtful, I Think, Businesses

I don't use my brain about the creative thing. From a business standpoint, I instinctively do things: when I get something right, it's never because I use my brain.

- Russell Simmons

Business, Use, About, Standpoint

To be awake is to be fully present, no noise, just you and God. Most of us only have seconds of full consciousness. To live in a state of Samadhi - that's what we're here for.

- Russell Simmons

Consciousness, Here, Awake, Fully

I'm not a politician. I only want to help relieve the suffering in communities, and I want to help people see their community in each other.

- Russell Simmons

Suffering, Politician, Other, Communities

I don't spend any time thinking about my place in history, ever. If people say I changed things, it's nice, and I take it - but if I could give it to a charity it would be useful. I really believe now that my only job in life is to achieve a state of comfort and happiness.

- Russell Simmons

Believe, Achieve, About, Changed

If you run a corporation, your job is to maximize the return on investment for your investors. Good for you. But by the same token, we have to remember that corporations have no compassion. That's why legislation and regulations are necessary.

- Russell Simmons

Corporation, Why, Necessary, Token

Hip-hop is a voice for voiceless poor people.

- Russell Simmons

Voice, Poor, Voiceless, Hip-Hop

I mostly eat healthy. I just do. I'm not a vegan for health reasons - although obviously I'm 20 pounds lighter than when I started. I stayed 20 pounds lighter. I feel better. My friends say I look better. All that's true. But I'm a vegan for compassionate reasons.

- Russell Simmons

Feel, Reasons, Mostly, Compassionate

Most people believe that results matter. The idea that results matter is one that you have to keep letting go of. And most of the time, I believe it.

- Russell Simmons

Believe, Go, Idea, I Believe

Art is a way to express yourself and through that you can escape a bad situation.

- Russell Simmons

Art, Bad, Through, Bad Situation

I think that diversity is key for the next American entrepreneurs. They want to be a part of this society where there is so much diversity they have to have people from all the experiences.

- Russell Simmons

Think, Next, I Think, Key

Service is the key to everything in life.

- Russell Simmons

Life, Service, Everything, Key

I produced Run DMC. I produced some early records, lots of records early on.

- Russell Simmons

Some, Records, Lots, Produced

You know, I love all kinds of activism. I certainly think blacks deserve to have something whether it is affirmative action or an opportunity that should be opened up to them. But at the same time I believe that people of color are not the only poor people in America and all over the world.

- Russell Simmons

Love, Color, Kinds, Activism

You know, the diversity that America has is so special. It's starting to really become a cool thing for young people.

- Russell Simmons

Cool, People, Young, Starting

I want to get involved in things that makes a difference in peoples lives and lifts them up. I don't want to be a part of anything that's not inspiring or helpful to the community that I'm serving.

- Russell Simmons

Want, Part, Lives, Helpful

Judgment of the people in the situation is not helpful. How can you help them is the question.

- Russell Simmons

Help, How, Judgment, Helpful

I try to do things that I think are helpful to the environment, to the animals, and to the planet.

- Russell Simmons

Environment, Think, I Think, Helpful

The difference between blues, jazz, rock n' roll and rap is that rap stayed poor. Even the white rappers are poor. It's scarier to look at poor people; it makes everyone uncomfortable. Their pain is something that people would like to see swept under the rug.

- Russell Simmons

Jazz, Roll, Rug, Rappers

It is crucial that rappers have the chance to express the truth that is in their heart.

- Russell Simmons

Truth, Chance, Crucial, Rappers

My little girls are the most beautiful women in the world. I am a lucky, lucky man. I will spend every day making sure that they know this.

- Russell Simmons

Beautiful, Every Day, Lucky, Little Girls

I am very lucky that I have talented and creative people around me. Also, mediation has been a very big part of my freedom, because it allows me to watch all the things going on and allows me to focus.

- Russell Simmons

Lucky, Big, Very, Talented

I'm a big supporter of President Obama.

- Russell Simmons

Big, Obama, Supporter, President Obama

The reason that I have Global Grind is to communicate ideas to people who might otherwise not be listening.

- Russell Simmons

Listening, Reason, Otherwise, Grind

Well, it's the last step of the civil rights movement: You know, wrap your hands around some money, right?

- Russell Simmons

Hands, Some, Last, Rights Movement

People will always blame the poets for society's ills. But these are the true artists.

- Russell Simmons

Society, Will, Always, Poets

You can't jump to vegan if you're not. Some people are absolute. Some people are able to be gradual.

- Russell Simmons

Some, Gradual, Absolute, Some People

I go to yoga every day. I meditate every morning.

- Russell Simmons

Every Day, Go, Yoga, Meditate

Young people, when they're left alone, always want to have compassion, and they always want to give. They always want to help people who are less fortunate.

- Russell Simmons

Young, Give, Always, Help People

I run a bunch of charities and I say this line to people: 'I am somebody who has always been helped.' A little thing like that can make people believe it.

- Russell Simmons

Always, Been, Charities, Helped

American democracy is spoiled by people buying everything in sight and then selling and buying everything in sight, including our politicians.

- Russell Simmons

Sight, Buying, Including, Spoiled

I try to use my voice. I know that celebrity is valuable, and people do listen.

- Russell Simmons

Voice, Celebrity, Use, Valuable

If you give a good thing to the world, then over time your karma will be good, and you'll receive good.

- Russell Simmons

Karma, Give, Over, Good Thing

The book 'Do You!' is about your inner voice. And when you connect to that voice then you - then the freedom comes. And we're only here to be happy. So happy makes money. Money doesn't make happy.

- Russell Simmons

Voice, Here, Inner Voice, Inner

I try to make my life about service, and hope that one day we can all 'see' a little better because God is with everyone and everywhere.

- Russell Simmons

My Life, Everyone, One Day, Everywhere

Poverty and lack of knowledge must be challenged.

- Russell Simmons

Challenged, Must, Lack, Poverty

If you learn late, you pass it on to people so they can learn early. It's a step process.

- Russell Simmons

Process, Learn, Late, Step

Look at all the billionaires. If I know 15 billionaires, I know 13 unhappy people.

- Russell Simmons

Look, Unhappy, Know, Billionaires

I'm born into the cycle of giving that we're all born into, and I recognize it. So just because something is a good business, I'm not a business guy. I'm a creative guy.

- Russell Simmons

Business, Born, Guy, Recognize

My experiences have been, from the very beginning, cultural and creative. And my business has been a way of exposing the culture, exposing the artists so that the world could hear and see them.

- Russell Simmons

Beginning, Been, Very, Exposing

As I get, I give. Giving as you get is critical. It has everything to do with being happy for yourself, and making others happy is the cause of making yourself happy, and it's the cycle of giving and getting.

- Russell Simmons

Give, Making, Critical, Giving

Actresses are kind of a little crazy.

- Russell Simmons

Crazy, Kind, Little, Actress

Last year my wife got a Rolls-Royce.

- Russell Simmons

Wife, Year, Last, Last Year

I think the idea of getting money out of politics is critical.

- Russell Simmons

Politics, Think, Getting, Critical

I think I'm less afraid of failure than some others.

- Russell Simmons

Think, Some, I Think, Failure

People are afraid of failure - they don't like to work so hard and have people keep saying, 'No.' I think that's what people fear most.

- Russell Simmons

Think, Like, I Think, Failure

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