Cristina Renee Hamilton Simmons: Banned in the USA....

Simmons Money!

Russell Simmons has been instrumental in bringing hip-hop to every facet of business and media since its inception in the late 1970s: in music with the co-founding of the immensely successful original Def Jam Recordings; in the fashion industry with the trail-blazing Phat Farm, BabyPhat, Run Athletics, and Def Jam University clothing lines; in film with Simmons Lathan Media Group; in television with HBO’s “The Def Comedy Jam” and “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry”; on Broadway with the Tony Award winning stage production “Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway”; in the financial services industry with UniRush and its RushCard and Baby Phat RushCard; in fine jewelry with The Simmons Jewelry Co; in video gaming, mobile communications and other industries utilizing the internationally recognized Def Jam brand through Def Jam Enterprises; and in the community with Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. Russell is a sought-after public speaker and regularly addresses audiences ranging from public school children and university students to corporate executives and community leaders.

Banned in the USA....

In response to the reaction of my album cover... "I'm deeply sorry if I haven't offended everybody" Kanye West via Twitter.
After reading so much on Twitter and globalGrind.com about @KanyeWest's album cover being banned. I decided to judge for myself and see what was so bad and disgusting about this "work of art" I consider an mere expression of the truth. I also went on facebook and wanted to get some of opinions from both my followers and Kanye Choco-West's facebook fans. These are the responses I received so far.

- Janice R Draughn If it is accessable to children, then I find it distasteful...
  ~Jdraughn
- Arra Da Flygurl Simmons Hmmm. Anything else?
- Janice R Draughn I try to stay as posiitve as possible with my opinions.. My mom always told me.. if you have nothing good to say then say nothing.. That being said my mouth is now closed!!(smile)
  ~Jdraughn
- Shamicka Quilya Valentine I thinkthis pic means so much more then just distasteful but what is this a representation of this cover. @ Arra because if I had to give my hypothesis it would't be nice.
- Arra Da Flygurl Simmons Well I agree with you as far as exposing this to children. And when I say that I mean immature minded individuals. Because nothing on this picture isn't something children aren't exposed to daily. Men walk around with their chest exposed all the time and many women expose their breast to their children and babies for feeding. If allowed the mind will play tricks on you and make you think you see a black demon and a white angel engaging in sexual activities but I don't see it that way at all.
- Shamicka Quilya Valentine I don't think that's what it means but what I am saying if it's just art what does it mean because that's how people will view it and they are the ones who by the music. So what do you think it's saying @Arra
- Janice R Draughn ‎@ Arra.. of course kids see body parts, however the act of the body parts together should not be exposed to children. The actual act of what I perceive is beyond open publicity, if you will...
  ~Jdraughn
- Arra Da Flygurl Simmons The opposite of what the majority would think. I think it represents truth. And again I can only speak from experience. See the goal is to program the mind into believing the black man is bad, a criminal, an animal, a beast who has evolved from Apes. And that's not the truth.
- Arra Da Flygurl Simmons ‎@Janice what are they doing? She has wings yet she looks evil like she is wearing a disgust wants to attack her prey (the black man) and judging by the direction in which their faces are turned, somebody has interrupted her plan.
- Janice R Draughn
  That's whats so beautiful about the power of God. We all can look at the same picture and see it differently.. (Perception) which is also a great learning tool.. This is interesting however I have a meeting.. will be back in 1hr..(smile)
  ~Jd...raughn
- Janice R Draughn ‎@ Arra Yes I can see that, however a child would not be that perceptive.... They will see an exposed body on top of each other...
  do u agree with that.. u gonna make me late..(smile) I shall return.~Jdraughn
- Arra Da Flygurl Simmons Perception is learned behavior. This is why we can't tell our children they only use ten percent of their brains.

2 comments:

AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 5:58 AM
I have only one comment to make...just an opinion. Is the cover artistic - yes. Is the cover truthful in its philosophical analogy - yes. Having said that without a proper analytical mind do you think the real message of this image reaches the targeted market that generally listens to the music? I feel it is a bit unlikely...unless the person is a profound in depth thinker and not just a woman-drinking-smoke life away type of person this perception is likely to be the last thing that comes to the individual's mind...(not that someone with those characteristics would find it impossible to observe this but such is very unlikely) -- it does not facilitate to the narrow minded but only to the in depth thinker... - I'm just being frank and open minded.
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AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 6:06 AM
I know i said only one comment but before I am misinterpreted from before...
I am not saying that the target market is 'woman-drinking-smoke life away' type of person or that people who listen to this music fall into this category. However what I am saying is if you're imagery, music or whatever is not easily translated into the form that you want to create a positive message then it is not effective.
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Red, White, and Who?

I am a big fan of Keeping up with the Kardashians. Tonight's episode struck me in so many ways. Khloe was having issues with her weight and of course the jealous and envious people who have nothing to do but hide behind their insults on the internet, said some pretty hurtful things in a blog. Well Khloe received a call from PETA to do an nude ad protesting fur. Khloe was a bit apprehensive about doing the ad because she was having weight issues. So sad that in this world we live in "we compare ourselves amongst ourselves". Which keeps us always trying to fit into a standard. Well at least what society considers "the standard" Khloe is always being compare to her sisters Kim and Kourtney which is so not fair because each of them are beautiful in their own way.

So Khloe goes and speaks with Bruce Jenner her stepfather. Seeking advice when she told him about the ad. He responded by saying "that's good but don't you think you should lose a few pounds". Typical thing for a insensitive man to say. No disrespect to Bruce... Then they wonder why their wives seek attention else where . I will tell you why, some of you with money think that you can speak to people any way no matter who it is: family, the fake friends you have and the slaves you hire to work for you. But instead of congratulating her, he insulted her. Then he went on to say after she had explained to him how she was offended by his comment. He said "is that why you wear black", Khloe's response was "I am wearing black because I am depressed." Say What!!!!

: I wear black because it's represents change... Positive Change!!!

See people where did we get this misconception that the color black represents oppression, depression and sadness. Our country's colors are red, white and blue. Now lets break that down red well that represents the blood that was shed to create "one nation under God" but whose blood was it? Who was that actually fought. Hmmm? Then there's white (well we all know what that suppose to represent) pure, cleanliness and honesty (mhmmm) and then there's blue. Blue represents the actual things this country was founded on (the pain, the deceit, the lies and the trickery) the trickery bestowed upon the enslaved. When I speak of the enslaved I must make it clear I am not speaking only of black people. (The fungus has spread) To me the color blue represents the oppression, sadness, and fear. People black represents change. Things to come that we all struggled and worked so hard for. When I say "we" I mean those who understand what it means to fight the good fight and stay strong.

So people get it out of your minds that black is a color of depression and oppression. It is time for change. Trust me everybody can't be saved. But those of you who can. Let's make it happen. "Animal conditioning to keep me as your slave! I get out!" Thanks Lauryn.

Explain this line "You should know I bleed blue but I ain't no crypt though"- Jay Z... I'm waiting.

: Red White and Blue... Stars and Stripes

My interpretation for "Bleed blue" is the colors for the Illuminati Red, white, blue... Those colors of the American flag mean something and those stars on the flag represent something too... Think about it... The stars are in the BLUE section of the flag!!! Ask somebody... This is the stuff they don't teach you in school so when that when the message starts coming at US we will be confused and distract with things like gangs (Crips, Bloods) and not pay attention to who's really behind all the American Chaos...Red and white stripes... The white represent the lost, confused and uninformed... Entangled in the red's web....

I would like to close this out with a message from Hova featuring Mr. Hudson

Forever Young