Hip Hop Mogul Knocks Rap’S Fur-Wearing Ways

For Immediate Release:
July 25th, 2000

Contact:
Andrew Butler 0208 870 3966

There’s no excuse for wearing fur,” “You’re going to kill yourself by eating meat,” and “Milk is poison,” declares Def Jam Records co-founder Russell Simmons in the revealing cover story of PETA’s new Animal Times magazine.

In the exclusive PETA interview, Simmons reveals he’s extending his popular Phat Farm clothing label to include a No Animal Phat line of fake furs, aimed at replacing the real stuff flaunted by many rappers: “The urban community moves like an army in a lot of waysÑif they say it’s cool to wear fake fur, you’ll change the world.”

Simmons also describes why he stop “ped eating all animal products three years ago: “My wife, Kimora, told me while we were watching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre that that’s a vegetarian movie. The way that woman in the movie was screaming, ‘Aaaahhh!’ and running away – that’s how every animal you eat is running for his life.”

The magazine features some of the music mogul’s favourite recipes in a special “Simmerin’ With Simmons” vegan recipe spread. Included on the menu: mock meatloaf, hush puppies, and BBQ fib ribs.

Simmons is the newest notable animal advocate, joining a roster of PETA supporters that includes Richard Pryor, Tyra Banks, Pamela Anderson, Alice Walker, Chrissie Hynde, Dick Gregory, Moby and RuPaul.