Russell Simmons has been back in Hollis, Queens where Run-DMC and so many other Hip Hop legends were born. But rather than holding his annual dinner for mothers who have lost children to gun violence, he found himself at a funeral.
According to the New York Times, shootings in the 113th Precinct — an area that includes Southeast Jamaica, St. Albans, Hollis and Springfield Gardens — have increased 40 percent this year compared to the same period a year ago (up 14 from 10). They have also doubled in that precinct, from three to six.
[Although Simmons says it was nine kids killed in 10 days.]
As a result, Simmons is again calling on Hip Hop artists, the Queens community and the appropriate politicians to step up. In an exclusive statement to HipHopDX, Simmons explains why this summer has hit him so hard.
At the beginning of this summer, I wrote a blog for NNPA asking for support for the anti-violence programs around the country. Many of you responded and for that, I am grateful. One of the things I have done for my part is that for the last 10 year (with the exception of last year), I have hosted a dinner for the mothers of deceased children in my old hood in Queens, all of whom died from senseless gun violence.
The recent dinners have had mostly the same mothers because Life Camp (the program that I support) and the residents have held the violence to a minimum. This year was very, very different. Instead of going directly to the dinner, I was asked to stop at a church for a wake. My brother who I grew up with, Marcellus, lost his son Marcellus Jr.
Marcellus Jr. was on his way to college in two days. He was one of the 13 that were shot and one of the nine who were murdered in last 10 days. We went to the church and at that wake, I saw Marcellus Sr. I thought of images of him in our childhood. We hugged the same way I hugged the brothers, the mother and the sisters of his son. Only with him, I started to cry. I was home. It was my Hollis family and we were hurting. They, especially the father and uncle, helped the whole thing hit home harder the way it should. It reminded me that this work was not business as usual but instead, it was critical for my own spiritual survival and growth. Anyway, we had planned the dinner over a month ago, but the murders and the funerals we couldn’t have predicted.
At the dinner, we recommitted to work on lifting our community. We reaffirmed our love for each other and our work. Today, I am asking for all of my Queens Congressman, council members, community members, rappers and Hip Hop success stories to join me in helping Life Camp expand their good work. I promise to donate more and support more than I have in the past. The time is now. What will you do?
In the wake of Nipsey Hussle’s March 31 shooting death, Simmons penned a letter for Black Press USA calling for a non-violent summer.
“We should not wait for another one of our hero’s to be killed before we stand up to take action to prevent this plague of violence from continuing,” he wrote in part. “Nipsey was a great example of what can happen when a young man from our community puts his head down and transcends the traps that are laid by the enemies of our youth in America.”
Simmons‘ family has experienced gun violence first hand. In February, the father of Angela Simmons’ child, Sutton Tennyson, was shot and killed outside of his Atlanta home.
It’s a cause Simmons is clearly passionate about and vows to continually support.
For more information on Life Camp and how to get involved, check out their website here.
“Marcellus Jr. was on his way to college in two days. He was one of the 13 that were shot and one of the nine who were murdered in last 10 days.“ smh Rest in peace Marcellus Jr. Sorry your fam had to experience such a tragedy Mr.Simmons. Unfortunately I wouldn’t expect that much from the hip-hop community (outside of some donations, and whatnot). I mean, the music (for the most part) is centered around the very things that unfortunately costed your nephew his life. Smh these idiots live and love destruction. It’s “cool” (always think about Lupe’s album The Cool, when I see tragedies like this) to them, enough to make it a way of life (accepting ignorance as a badge of honor). Not that I fully blame Hip-Hop/Rap, because it’s take two to tango. It’s just unfortunate, that a genre keeps glorifying the nonsense, instead of giving the fans lyrics, that could truly help them prosper.
You soft lil boy go listen to Common
Lol retarded ass probably won’t be alive next week. Short life span, gremlin face, always looking for the white man to blame coke head ass lmao. Fuck you, and the wack ass shit you listen to.
Another white boy that is an expert on the black experience. Just as I suspected
Whos white? And how can you come to this conclusion, based on a comment? Don’t have many educated brothas in ya circle huh?
Dawg just stop, you are white
Dawg just stop, if you can’t bring anything reasonable to this discussion. Get your debating skills up.
Another white boy who’s an expert on the black experience. Just as I suspected
Can’t identify a race, based on a comment dumb ass lmao. Stop being so predictable.
Try delving a little deeper. Hip hop plays a tiny part. Welfare and education or lack there of plays a much larger role. From you’re writing style I can tell you are educated but lack life experience
Didn’t I state that I wasn’t placing the majority of the blame on Hip-Hop? By the way, stop giving idiots a pass, just because they may come from unfortunate circumstances. Thats still no reason to take lives. As a black man, it pains me to say that accountability/responsibility is lost. It’s always someone/something else that has to take the blame.
I don’t see the lyrics of hip hop playing a role in this. It’s the most popular genre of music and everyone listens to it. A lot of popular songs do have lyrics centered around violence, but we all listen to it and we don’t act upon them. Besides there’s so many different perspectives in hip hop and thanks to the internet you can always find whatever kind of rap you want. I don’t think we can attribute blame to hip hop artists anymore than we can blame metal bands for school shooters. There are so many real life factors that affect a person’s life much more than the music they listen to.
That’s true, there are so many factors. My point though, was that there’s a lot of rappers within the genre, who’s lyrics don’t help the issue, and (can) instead, make things worse. Of course not everyone who enjoys the genre will look to act on what they hear, which is why I stated that it takes two.
Brogod, yes, hip hop has a direct link to glorifying gangs, drugs, misogyny, single moms aka Baby Mamas, thuggin, robbing, stealing, etc. you obviously do not listen to Metal because that genre doesn’t tell kids to go shoot up schools. You know who does? MK Ultra ass “soldiers”, and that would be false flags being carried out to put fear into people. Rappers are actors as well. Snoop sold out loooooong ago. This bs of Fear of the gun is messing with minds , when you should fear the CIA and the Deep State. Don’t be fooled into giving up your arms. It didn’t work for the Native Americans.
Says the man who wrangled up his share of men and women to his little plantation to glorify drugs and violence in their own communities which today has hit a fever pitch guys like this jay z snoop dogg and so on are real pieces of shit
Ripping ignorant negros off with a bullshit credit card scam.
Blacks killing other blacks so blacks don’t care, just wait till a white cop shoots a black criminal then act like babies
Rappers are CIA actors. Morons like Russel Simmons were blackmailed into being “activists” and calling to take away our ammo and arms. I say F these rappers, Hollywood preachers and producers. They told the Native Americans to give up their guns, and the government would take care of them. How did that work out for them? They’re still on the REZ. Never bow to these leftists swine. Never give up your Constitutional rights. “Gun Violence” is double speak, and bulllllll shhhhhhhhhit. Guns don’t create violence, but human can.
YOU don’t live in America jackass. Fucking Drake fan.
No call to arms against sexual assault I see. LOL. Nothing against hypocrite dindu’s either. More blacks are killed by other blacks in Chi alone year round, then people of ALL races are killed by mass shootings in the entire US combined during the same time period. For all the idiots trying to ban assault weapons… Rifles account for less than 8% of all homicides by firearm in the US. More people are killed by hammer or clubs etc a year, than folks are killed with ANY kind of rifle (including assault weapons). This is a platform to take away rights and get cucks elected. This has nothing to do with saving lives.
I am feeling really blessed to know that our rappers and affluent black icons have stepped up and stepped out to make a difference. Our men matter! They are our Kings!!!! God Bless each of you! How can I help???
Rappers say a lot of crap..but the people believe it. His opinion is no less valid regardless of location. The black community needs to grow up and stop blaming outside forces for problems. Go Get closer to God and have more purpose in life. Also learn to actually work together with action and not just words.
It IS a shame all these black rappers want to talk about is guns, drugs and women…wait, you mean there are quite a few hip hop artists that are talented AND dont have idiotic content that not only makes us look bad and lead to negative stereotypes in the media and shows our kids that they should grow up to be mindless sheep?
Why are these artists not pushed to high heaven? Wonder who is in charge of all that….