Russell Simons
After busting down doors that were once closed to Blacks, today’s biggest and brightest stars are making their own rules. From Times Square to Tinseltown, we’ll show you which media players really have juice.
Anytime people speak about the music industry and its influential players, it’s hard not to mention Hip Hop’s contributions.
Russell Simmons is a music and fashion mogul pioneer currently on his quest for world domination. The New York born and bred entrepreneur co-founded Def Jam records, along with Rick Rubin, at a time when mainstream media said Hip Hop was just a fad. Def Jam was Russell’s brainchild, and with it he fostered artists like Run DMC, the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and others. Even after his departure, Def Jam’s still a thriving force and legendary label in the music industry.
His Rush Communications empire boasts billion-dollar businesses such as: Phat Fashions, which encompasses Phat Farm and the Baby Phat empire, the newly created Global Grind website, Rush Philanthropic and a host of other ventures. Even though he and Kimora spilt in 2009, he still plays an integral part in his children’s lives. In an MVRemix interview Russell says, “I like to do things that I think are inspiring in some way,” From magazine covers, to billboards, Russell’s still making moves.
Known throughout the industry as the “King of the remix”, Puffy lives the Bad Boy lifestyle. After shepherding one of the most influential rappers in the world, the Notorious BIG, the producer turned fashion mogul-MC set his sights on conquering music.
Since launching Bad Boy records in the early ‘90s, after being fired by his longtime mentor Andre Harrell, Puffy has dominated the charts for more than a decade. Even after dating Jenny from the block in 2002, Puffy rebounded better than ever with a breakout performance in Monster’s Ball, and with his hit reality show Making the Band.
P Diddy
Since launching his fashion empire in 1998, Sean John, the brand, won the Council of Fashion Designers of America Award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2004. When he’s not walking red carpets, or being honored by his counterparts, he’s serving up southern hospitality in his Atlanta restaurant.
This billionaire boy’s club member knows how to throw an event. His annual “white party” is legendary, and his birthday bash brings out Hollywood’s elite. The sometimes cocky businessman knows the recipe for success; like he says, “don’t chase the paper; chase the dream.”
These days media moguls transcend genres. Their musicians, business tycoons and fashion royalty. Even though they started from humble beginnings, they had a dream, and believed they would succeed.
Being black in America is hard enough. Try adding being a woman into the mix, and it’s nearly impossible to get ahead, unless of course your name is Oprah.
Growing up in the back woods of Mississippi, no one imagined this small-time country girl would grow up to be one of the most influential women in the world. Oprah positioned herself for global domination when she was just a child. Born to a mother on welfare in a poverty stricken neighborhood, Oprah didn’t let her circumstances stop her. After landing her first radio job while she was still in high school, she started co-anchoring the local evening news at the age of 19. It was her emotional ad-lib delivery that eventually got her transferred to the daytime talk show arena, and after boosting a third-rated local Chicago talk show to first place, she launched her own production company and became internationally syndicated.
Oprah’s influence spans decades. Her dynasty includes television, publishing, radio, philanthropy and film. People are instantly catapulted into superstardom after appearing on her show. Don’t believe us, just look at the spinoffs. Dr. Phil made such an impression on Winfrey that she invited him to appear on her show. McGraw appeared on her show for several years before launching his own show, Dr. Phil, in 2002. Remember Rachel Ray. Before becoming the gourmet cook with the big voice, she was a relatively unknown chef. But, after a guest spot on The Oprah Winfrey Show, she also left the nest. Lastly, there’s Dr. Oz. As the resident doctor on her show, there wasn’t any question too big or too small for him to answer; this transcended into dollar signs for CBS and they quickly scooped him up and handed him a show as well.
Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry
It’s no secret that Oprah decided not to have biological children. However, she says she has “maternal feelings” towards the girls of her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.
She’s wealthy and powerful, so it’s no wonder she has friends in high places. It’s hard to believe that it was a simple piece of advice from Oprah Winfrey that set Tyler’s career in motion.
According to Tyler, Oprah “encouraged him to keep a diary of his daily thoughts and experiences,” and he began writing a “series of soul-searching letters to himself-letters full of pain, forgiveness, and, in time, a healing catharsis.” His letters inspired the musical, I Know I’ve Been Changed, in 1992. Tyler’s tales of failure and redemption resonates with black people, and they flock to movie theatres to support his work. From television to movies, Tyler’s projects have grossed millions of dollars worldwide, but it’s his message of forgiveness that resound’s with his audiences.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tyler’s childhood was far from ideal. He once said that his violently abusive father’s, “only answer to everything was to beat it out of you.” It’s no surprise that Tyler tried to commit suicide in an effort to rid his life of violence. As a child, Tyler often sought refuge in weekly church meetings.
A devout Christian, Tyler refuses to bend to Hollywood’s standards. Since creating the gun-wielding grandma Madea in 1998, Tyler has gone on to be named the sixth highest paid man in Hollywood, according to Forbes magazine’s 2009 rankings. Tyler is one of the few celebrities that practices what he preaches, and what he preaches is a unique blend of spiritual hope, mixed with down-home humor.
African American media moguls transcend genres. They’re publishers, musicians, business tycoons and fashion royalty. Even though they started from humble beginnings, they had a dream, and believed they would succeed.
