Five questions with Russell Simmons

By Jae-Ha Kim - Chicago Sun-Times

Before "Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam" debuted on Broadway last year, the hip-hop entrepreneur was quoted as saying, "I don't know anything about Broadway."

He learned fast. The show went on to win a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event in 2003.

"I don't care about Broadway," said Simmons, phoning on a static-ridden cell phone from New York. "I care about the cultural end of it. I care about promoting a cultural initiative, and poetry has got to be the biggest cultural expression that hip-hop has now."

Simmons called to tout his poetry tour, which hits the Shubert tonight, but also filled us in on life with his wife, the fabulous Kimora Lee, and toddlers Ming Lee, 3, and Aoki Lee, 1-1/2.

Q. Poetry was once thought of as being too artsy for everyday folks. What made poetry so enticing for you?

A. Poetry does appeal to a smart, cultural community, but that's not one that's exclusive to artists. If you go down to Harlem or Brooklyn and ask kids how many of them write poetry, a great number of them will raise their hands. The idea of poetry isn't so scary anymore. Hip-hop and rap opened the doors for it.

Q. What is a poet's biggest strength?

A. They write in silence with no distractions of the world. They write from the heart, and that's always positive. Poetry has so much flavor. It's very important.

Q. How do you and Kimora deal with living and working together almost 24/7?

A. We spend of lot of time together 'cause our offices are both upstairs. She has her businesses and I have mine. Some of them overlap, but they don't interfere with our lives. Kimora and I took the kids to Saint Barts for 18 days. We just got back and then spent the morning with the kids. That's how we like to live.

Q. How often does Kimora let you into that enormous walk-in closet of hers?

A. I don't go in there much. I see all those Louis [Vuitton] bags lined up and and just get out of there.

Q.You live with Kimora and your two little girls. Who rules with the iron fist in your household?

A. [Laughs.] I'm surrounded by women! Everyone except the security guys are women -- and they all boss me around. The nannies are always telling me what to do.