Russell Wendell Simmons was born on October 10, 1957 and is a very successful American entrepreneur, the co-founder (with Rick Rubin) of the pioneering hip-hop record label, Def Jam. His personal net worth is reputed to be $500 million. Simmons is one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the world of hip-hop and is a man with varied interests. In addition to his music empire, Russell Simmons also is owner and operator of three clothing lines that he founded. They are Phat Farm …Argyleculture … and American Classics. Simmons is also well-known for his strict adherence to a vegan lifestyle. As a strict and orthodox vegetarian, he will not eat meat and is opposed to the slaughter of animals for food. In the last couple of years, Russell Simmons has shifted his focus from records to political commentary and other literary pursuits.. He is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and is also editor-in-chief of GlobalGrind.com, a website that reviews the world of hip-hop.