Let's talk about how on Thursday I got to interview The Russell Simmons, the big-time Hip-Hop founding father, owner of Def Jam Records and Phat Farm clothing line! He came to our school just to give a lecture on the music business and how to be successful. I got to interview him right before he had to speak. The OUAB event coordinators took me backstage and there he was sitting on a couch talking to three other people that were probably his assistants and managers. So I sat down beside him, introduced myself, and he very plainly told me to ask my questions.
I asked him:
1) Where do you get your business sense from?
2) How important do you think it is for music artists to go to college and know the business side of the industry?
3) Where do you see hip hop in the next 10 years? (after which Russel replied, "Everyone always asks me the same questions every 10 years")
4) What do you think gave you longevity in the Hip-Hop business
5) In regards to the whole Imus situation, why do you think Hip-Hop took so much of the blame?
6) Since then, are more rappers making positive changes in their music?

He was a little long-winded on his responses so I was glad that I used a tape recorder instead of frantically trying to write down every word and not connecting with him.
After I asked my last question, I said, "Thank you so much for your time Mr. Simmons." And he said, "Okay," and went back to texting on his phone. And that was it.

I wouldn't say that he was rude, just not as friendly as I thought he would've been. Maybe, I thought he would be a little different from the persona he play on his brother's MTV show "Run's House," but I guess not. Then I have to take in account that he does have a very busy schedule and reporters are always interviewing him so he's entitled to being a little grim and impatient.

Well, that was my 1st celebrity interview. Interesting. Very interesting.....

Here's the article for The Lantern:
http://www.thelantern.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&uStory_id=50aa1a51-45f8-4978-896f-d19ac64a9ed5

Me and Mr. Simmons himself in mid-sentence backstage of Mershon Auditorium before he gave a lecture on the music business.