Master entrepreneur and visionary Russell Simmons has brought hip-hop to every facet of business and media, not only as co-founder of Def Jam Recordings but also through his involvement with the clothing lines Phat Farm, Baby Phat, Run Athletics, and Def Jam University; MTV’s Run’s House, HBO’s "The Def Comedy Jam" and "Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry"; the Tony Award–winning "Russell Simmons Def Jam on Broadway"; the Hip Hop Summit Action Network promoting empowerment in young people and numerous other ventures in the financial services industry, mobile communications, and philanthropy. A native New Yorker, he is the proud father of two daughters.