a neighborhood within Queens. Aside from his drug activities, he also was deeply involved with another of young New York's early '70s passions, which were gangs. Around the same time Russell sold drugs he became a warlord in the 17th division of a gang called the Seven Immortals. Being in a gang gave him a sense of leadership. Russell went to a predominately white school in a white working class area instead of his neighborhood school, which was attended over whelmingly by blacks. Russell was getting a superior education while learning the street life at the same time.
             Simmons built his company from the ground up. Simmons had the same beginnings as any person, but he had a vision to take hip-hop, that was mainly underground music, and mainstream it. He established Rush Communications, which is the mother corporation that has many record labels and other ventures under it. Before Russell Simmons had even a single gold record on his wall, he and his partner Rick Ruben owned Def Jam records label and signed a production deal with CBS records. That kind of money is pocket lint to Simmons now. Rick Ruben was said to be a production genius that loved loud, rebellious music. Simmons was obviously a smart businessman who had grown up selling drugs on the streets. Selling drugs back when he was a teenager taught him business basics such as cash flow, client relations and networking (Simmons pg15). The combination of Rubin, and Simmons earned immediate success. Simmons was diversifying his business, making deals in new media and cross-promoting artist.
             After Simmons and Rick Ruben's first stream of hit records b
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