944

Business mogul Russell Simmons will be going all in as host of a celebrity poker tournament at the Hotel 944 at the Eden Roc Renaissance Resort in Miami Beach, Fla., on February 6.

After building one of the most successful and influential hip-hop empires in the industry, Simmons has become focused on his philanthropic endeavors that include supporting a number of charities, ranging from PETA, The Humane Society, US Doctors in Africa, and (RED), to name a few. He is also the co-chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network as well as co-founder of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation with his brothers. Most recently, in May 2009 the United Nations appointed Simmons to be Goodwill Ambassador for UN Slavery Memorial to recognize the victims of slavery as well as the transatlantic slave trade.

Aside from his tremedous contributions to charity, Simmons is better known for his fashion and media empire. His most popular fashion line is Phat Farm, which has sprung into two other labels, Baby Phat and Run Athletics. He also created the lines Argyleculture and American Classics. Simmons' music career started in 1984 when he met Rick Rubin and founded Def Jam Records which went on to produce artists such as the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z and LL Cool J, among a host of others. Simmons used the name of his record label and expanded to ther niche markets. Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry are both televison shows, and Def Poetry has recently been brought to stage on Broadyway. Simmons founded Rush Communications which is one of the largest African America-owned media companies in the United States. Whether it is fashion, charity, music or television, Russell Simmons is constantly influencing pop culture, and will undoubtebly continue to expand his growing empire.

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