Taken from All Hip Hop:

Respecting the Living Legacy of Def Jam: An Open Letter to the Recording Industry from Russell Simmons

In a recent Newsweek article by Johnnie Roberts, appropriate questions were raised not only about the future of Def Jam, but also about the future of the recording industry's relationship with the creative genius of hip-hop culture. The enduring legacy of Def Jam is that from the very beginning we were focused on building stability for the lives and careers of our artists as well as making hit music that authentically represented hip-hop culture.

My quotes in the piece by Roberts were not aimed at disparaging or discounting the value and potential for L.A. Reid to profitably lead Def Jam. My concerns, however, are about the future of Def Jam and the industry as a whole as to whether the legacy that Def Jam established will be maintained to the benefit of the artists and the culture.

Let¹s remember when LL Cool J first came to Def Jam, he was a runaway at the age of 15. Our first priority for LL was to work to nurture and sustain him as a gifted and talented young man. Now over 21 years later LL represents the best of what hip-hop can do for a young man coming out of struggle. He has become a beacon of light for families and communities out of the darkness of poverty.

When artists face trying and difficult life circumstances, will the executives of the industry today care or give a damn about the actual lives of artists outside the studio?

I told Chuck D that his mouth was his Uzi and his words of truth were his bullets. We defend Public Enemy's rightful place in the genre. I would like to think we helped Chuck D define his career. During the time Slick Rick was unjustly incarcerated, Def Jam executives helped lead the national and international campaign with his devoted wife, Mandy, to secure his freedom from a Florida prison.

Recently Kevin Liles, Rev Run and I visited Shyne in prison. Will the new transition team at Def Jam see Shyne for the potential he has to become a Spiritual Prophet as he defines himself or will he be reduced to the thug that the street is racing to define him as. Will Shyne become Tupac (a) or Tupac (b), dead or alive? The truth is Tupac was worth more alive than dead. But, my guess is there are some industry executives who are not too sure about that fact.

As we worked to broker a peace between Ja Rule and 50 Cent, there were some who thought it was a fruitless exercise and even worked against the national television broadcast aimed at bringing the parties together for dialogue. Those in opposition felt that the broadcast might compromise the record selling potential of one or both of the artists. We prevailed and the broadcast was well received across the nation. It is important to me that today Chris Lighty is serving as a good role model who mentors young men and women whenever he gets a chance.

Irv Gotti came to my house last Saturday night and when he saw Chris Lighty he gave him a hug. Irv thanked me for bringing them together and for nurturing their ongoing dialogue. Yet, the best thanks I can receive is the knowledge that Irv will continue to be a great teacher and mentor for the young millionaires he is developing.

Almost all of the artists in hip-hop come from situations of extreme poverty and when money is put in their pockets, it is also important and responsible to help them erase the poverty of their mindsets.

No one owes an artist anything but a fair record deal, marketing and promotions. But Def Jam always in the past worked hard to offer more. The question that I have for the industry is what will you do to support the evolution of the collective consciousness of hip-hop?

Will you water the good seeds that have been planted? As you make future decisions, if you do not have P. Diddy, Master P, or Damon Dash at your table, who will you use to effectively mentor these up and coming young artists?

If Damon Dash sells his company, who will be at Vivendi to show Kanye West the ropes? Who will look after Cam'ron and Beanie Sigel?

How does Vivendi and the industry in general plan to maximize the gifts of an Irv Gotti?

What about Earl Simmons (DMX)?

I am asking these questions to hopefully further sensitize an industry that is contemplating its future. I wish nothing but success for L.A. Reid and Def Jam. This generation of today's hip-hop artists are some of the most talented ever and most committed in their giving back to our communities.They all deserve our best guidance and support.

What will Shyne come home to?

Bits and pieces I found while surfing:

Download Defari's "Odds and Evens" on Emusic!
Interesting article: America is still at war, but so is the Hip-Hop Generation. Are rappers and politicians the answer or the problem?
Check out Slam Bush: Rap Battle Lets Rappers Battle the President
Check out this interview with Wise Intelligent of PRT!