Russell Simmons

Richard Karz's documentary, filmed entirely on the second anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, intercuts clips from events occurring around New York City that day with scenes from a formal dinner and discussion that night in the landmark Surrogate's Courthouse. (nytimes.com)

From Executive Producers Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, The Hip Hop Project is the compelling story of Kazi a formerly homeless teenager who inspired a group of New York City teens to transform their life stories into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery. (ThinkFilm)

US prisons are the most crowed in the nation's history and they hold more people per capita than any other country in the world thanks to the Rockefeller Drug Laws which mandate minimum sentences of 15 years to life for first-time offenders. The film follows the reform efforts of outraged families and the hip-hop community including Russell Simmons. Highlighted in the film is the moving struggle of Wanda Best, whose husband Darryl was sentenced to 15 years under the Rockefeller Drug Laws. (Amazon.com)

In this movie based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings, up-and-coming manager Russell Walker has all the hottest acts on the record label Krush Groove records, including Run-D.M.C., Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and Kurtis Blow, while Rick (Rubin) produces their records. When Run-D.M.C. has a hit record and Russell doesn't have the money to press records, he borrows money from a street hustler. At the same time, Russell and his brother Run are both competing for the heart of R&B singer Sheila E. (imdb)

Run DMC's Jam Master Jay was shot and killed in a Jamaica, Queens recording studio in 2002. Despite six witnesses present at the murder, no one has ever been convicted.