The Rush Philanthropic Second Annual Art For Life went down at the beautifully renovated Fontainebleu in Miami Beach on Saturday. Although I was shocked to see that not too many celebrity guests showed up, I was very pleased to see the amount of support that night from Vivica Fox, Alonzo Mourning and his wife Tracy, and others. Kim Kardashian who was escorted by her handsome boyfriend, NFL star Reggie Bush, hosted the event. It was actually the first time I got to meet her in person and she looked stunning! A percentage of net proceeds for ART FOR LIFE MIAMI BEACH went back into the Miami Dade County community via arts program grants which serve disadvantaged youth. 

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Ashley Dupre, which some of you may know as the hooker at the center of the scandal that brought down disgraced New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, says that she gets her “inner strength” from her yoga session with Rusell Simmons. The famed hooker posted a personal statement on Globalgrind.com yesterday

“Russell was there, reaching out to give me hand placement tips and educate me about the virtues of yoga that he’s discovered throughout the years. He explained the importance of understanding that our actions sometimes have far reaching consequences — a lesson that certainly resonated with me.”

“I’ve gained a perspective on life that I probably never would have been able to achieve if not for all of the heartache. In great part, discovering my identity came through the quiet reflection I enjoyed while practicing yoga, and the inner strength I’ve developed attracts powerful things,” the 23-year-old writes. (more…)

If you were there last year, you will concur that Russell Simmons’, Danny Simmons’ and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation‘s ART FOR LIFE MIAMI BEACH gala was a night to remember.

This year it will be even more memorable as Kim Kardashian will host Russell Simmons’, Danny Simmons’ and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation‘s Second Annual ART FOR LIFE MIAMI BEACH gala, honoring Anheuser-Busch, Inc., the Rubell Family Collection and Chairman of  the Fontainebleau Resort’s, Jeffrey Soffer, for their efforts improving the lives of others and their support of youth arts education. The star-studded gala will be held on Saturday, March 14th at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, and will include live and silent auctions of unique art and luxury items.

The 2009 ART FOR LIFE MIAMI BEACH Host Committee Wyclef Jean, Dwayne Johnson & Danny Garcia, Michael Klug, Lana & Michael Bernstein, Mark & Amanda Tamis, Amaris Jones, Javier Evans and Walid Sfeir to name a few. (more…)

Rusell Simmons wanted to clarify the rumors he heard about the child support judgment for his two daughters with ex-wife Kimora Lee. It was reported that the court ordered Simmons to pay his ex $40,000.00 a month in child support payments, but the hip hop mogul says via his Global Grind blog that it was his decision not the judges. Russell says:

“I am reading these stories today about how a judge ordered me to pay Kimora $40,000 a month in child support and I want to make something very clear. Nothing was ordered, it was given. My kids have a fabulous life; they are exposed to a broad range of artistic and scholastic educational programs and I’m very happy to contribute to that. As long as I have it, they can have it. If I ever don’t have it, I’m coming to live with them!”

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Russell Simmons formerly of Phat Farm, is back to the fashion world. But this time around the mogul is catering to people on a budget. He will launch American Classics on walmart.com in the next few weeks. The men’s apparel includes mainstream clothing such as plaid shorts, button-down shirts, zip cargo pants and a cable sweater vest with retail prices ranging from a $9 T-shirt to a $29 hooded jacket. The new clothing line will amongst Wal-mart’s many lines pushed towards the urban market.

Global Grind announced that Russell Simmons will serve as its Editor in Chief. Global Grind is the premier social media platform developed by and for the Hip Hop community. Philanthropist and cultural entrepreneur Simmons, an early investor in the site, served as guest blogger on the site, alongside Reverend Run’s widely anticipated Daily Words of Wisdom, and political commentary by Dr. Benjamin Chavis. The site plans to offer blogs written by top celebrities. Pic above is the Simmons Girls and LL who were there to support Uncle Russell.

Mogul Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Valeisha Butterfield and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) have partnered with Heineken and Myspace Music to sponsor the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball. Simmons’ HSAN is hosting the star-studded black tie gala, in honor of President-elect Barack Obama’s historic inauguration. Superstars T.I., Young Jeezy, and LL Cool J will co-host the event with Russell Simmons, who emphasized the importance of young adults’ voting power in Obama’s 2008 run. “The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will be a fantastic gala and upscale party in celebration of Barack Obama being inaugurated President of the United States,” Simmons explained to sources. “We are also recognizing the outstanding contributions of T.I., LL Cool J, and Young Jeezy in helping turn out the largest young adult vote in history.”

In related news, Jay-Z will play a special concert in Washington, D.C., on eve of President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. “In Concert On The Eve of Change” Concert, billed as an “intimate performance,” will take place at the Warner Theater. Jay-Z will perform with a full band. Tickets for the performance go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

This is disturbing! LOL! Russell Simmons was spotted kickin’ it with a couple of his ladY friends in Miami Beach this past weekend. Why was he pictured pullin’ down some girls bikini top like a high schooler! LOL! Check the pics out (parental discretion is advised)… (more…)

Check out some more pics from the rally event that took place in South Florida yesterday. Beyonce took pics with first time voters at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Florida over the weekend. Jay-Z, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, and Russell Simmons also worked the crowd encouraging voters to vote for Obama!

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Hip Hop has made it its duty to be active in the election campaign. With only one day remaining until the BIG ELECTION DAY, Jay-Z and Sean Diddy, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles and Mary J Blige came thru to South Florida to encourage everyone to vote despite the long poll lines. I, Miss Xpose, was in line for five in a half hours yesterday people! You can do it too! “It’s bigger than us,” Combs said. “We have to do it for our children, we have to do it for the people that died for us to have the right to vote.” Hova, Diddy, and MJB appeared before a large crowd of almost 800 plus people at the Florida Memorial University for a “Last Chance for Change” rally Sunday afternoon. “We stood in line to get the new Lil’ Wayne CD,” Liles said. “We stood in line to get a new pair of Jordans. We stood in line to get in here. So we ain’t afraid of no lines.” SO TRUE! None of the artist performed, but they took the time to create awareness as to the importance of this campaign.

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