DX News Bits: Russell Simmons, The Diplomats, Dame Grease

As lines in the sand are drawn over the building of an Islamic community center that features a Muslim prayer room two blocks from Ground Zero, Russell Simmons is using his apartment windows to try and promote peace. The Hip Hop mogul, whose apartment directly faces the site of the World Trade Center, has placed a series of religious symbols in his windows spelling out “co-exist” in support of the building plans and peacefully end the debate over the building of the religious center.

“This is compelling for Russell because he lives here and he’s always involved with issues of people getting along,” said friend and designer of the sings Glen Friedman.(NYPost.com)

In others, the Diplomats are reaching out to their fans directly for advice on their upcoming reunion album Diplomatic Immunity 3. In a recent Tweet, Dipset capo Jim Jones asked his followers to name the five producers they would most like to hear the Harlem heavyweights work with on their next LP.

Finally, news broke that multi-platinum producer Dame Grease will be spearheading 101 Distribution’s A&R division. This new position will allow the Harlem beatsmith to sign artists directly to his Vacant Lots imprint. Grease most recently secured a distribution deal through 101 Distribution for N.O.R.E.’s latest single “Nutcracker.”