Russell Simmons
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Russell Simmons Simmons
Mr. Simmons, the manager who was a founder of the Def Jam label, said that at first he had feared that hip-hop's inclusion in a major museum which would mean it had lost its power and novelty. His initial thought when contacted by the Smithsonian, he said that was it must be over. But in an opinion echoed by nearly every speaker, Mr. Simmons suggested that as hip-hop aged it was in danger of losing its connection to its roots and that younger fans and performers would profit from direct experience of the music's history. Mr. Russell Simmons, the founder of the Def Jam label, said that at first, he had feared that hip-hop's inclusion in a major museum would mean it had lost its power and novelty. His initial thought when contacted by the Smithsonian, was that it must be over for hip-hop. But in an opinion, Mr. Simmons suggested that as hip-hop aged it was in danger of losing its connection to its roots and that younger fans and performers would profit from direct experience of the music's history.