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Home • News

Russell Simmons Talks 'Occupy' Concert and Jay-Z's T-shirts

Russell Simmons works to raise awareness for Occupy Wall Street.
Russell Simmons Defends Jay-Z's 'OWS' Shirts
Russell Simmons 240×340
By Nicole Marie Melton · Updated October 28, 2020
The Occupy Wall Street movement is showing no signs of ending soon and Russell Simmons thinks it’s time for the music industry to get involved.

Simmons, who has visited New York protesters in the past few weeks, is working to make an organized concert in support of the movement happen soon.

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“We are definitely discussing [a concert]” Simmons told Billboard.biz. “We’re definitely looking to make a huge impact. We’re actively working for permits. We’ll have one in our hands soon.”

Simmons also spoke out in support of Jay-Z’s widely criticized “Occupy All Streets” T-shirts. Hov began selling the shirts on his Rocawear website and quickly came under fire for not donating proceeds from sales of the shirts to the protesters.

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“Jay-Z didn’t make a T-shirt [that said] ‘F— the Bums on the Street,'” said Simmons. “What’s wrong with selling goodness? You should sell things you’re happy about. You should sell products that you’re inspired by, that promote lasting and stable well-being.”

Shortly after Jay-Z received criticism, he pulled the “Occupy All Streets” shirts from his website but reposted them a few days later. After they went back up for sale, they quickly sold out and are currently on backorder.

Do you support the Ocuppy Wall Street movement?