Mr. Rap Goes to Washington

摘要

The impresario of the hip-hop revolution never seemed interested in politics. He liked casual urban fashions, sleek women and the millions that could be made from tirelessly promoting the edgy new street music called rap. He became an icon of pop culture and inspired a new generation of music-business entrepreneurs from the inner city, where the political issues are fierce. Yet he didn't even bother to vote in recent elections. So what was Russell Simmons-cultivator of star rappers, cofounder of Def Jam Records, owner of homes in New York City and the Hamptons—doing last week with leading political activists in a meeting with that squarest of officials, Attorney General Janet Reno?