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Def Comedy Jam: Russell Simmons, Comedy Show, Stand Up Comedians, Comedy Routine And DVD
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Published: December 4, 2007
Russell Simmons is an iconic figure in the world of hip-hop. He is credited with enlarging the realm of the hip-hop subculture by bringing it into the mainstream. Essentially, Simmons is considered one of the founding fathers of the hip-hop industry. Russell Simmons' fortitude and entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found the Def Jam musical label with partner Rick Rubin in a college dorm room during the 1980s.
Def Jam was the launching pad that Russell Simmons used to further his influence on not only the hip-hop culture, but also on the business and political world.
Russell Simmons acknowledges that his success story is a cautionary tale. He learned his entrepreneurial skills on the street corners from drug dealers and number runners during the 70s. After a stint as a cocaine dealer, Simmons found himself questioning his fate; most of his friends' lives had been ended by death or jail—he chose life.
Russell Simmons' life was drastically changed by a party where hip-hop's imprint was felt; he became determined to change his life, and change the hip-hop game all together. After some failures, Simmons eventually found success through his passionate embrace of hip-hop culture and music. This passion led to other avenues that opened the doors for remnants of the culture to find their voice in the mainstream through something as simple as a comedy routine.
In 1992, Russell Simmons embarked on another project that would bring the culture he represented to the forefront: Def Comedy Jam comedy. Simmons launched Def Comedy Jam on HBO, as an opportunity for predominantly African-American stand-up comedians who would otherwise have been largely ignored by other television executives. Def Comedy Jam gave them an opportunity to perform a comedy routine in front of a national audience. Stand-up comedians shared their personal experiences, using the humor often associated with the African-American culture. Def Comedy Jam, which was geared at the hip-hop community, exemplified Simmons belief that hip-hop artists and their fan bases were ultimately very spiritual, conscious people. The HBO comedy show permitted stand-up comedians freedom not often allotted to a sometimes raucous and edgy comedy routine in the mode of Richard Pryor.
Def Comedy Jam was often the first stage where well-known comedians had their start. Chris Rock, Cedric the Entertainer, and Chris Tucker each performed on Def Comedy Jam in the 90s; it was the premier comedy show for the African-American audience and comedians. Def Comedy Jam aired from 1992-1997. In 2006, HBO returned Def Comedy Jam to its fall schedule. As a result of Def Comedy Jam's successful five-year run, there are legions of fans who still fondly remember the comedy show. Those fans, and a new generation of viewers can now enjoy classic Def Comedy Jam on DVD. A box collection DVD set is available for purchase at retail chains and online at Amazon.com.
Def Comedy Jam was a dichotomy of the hip-hop culture. The African-American experience was given a voice through Def Comedy Jam, something that Simmons has been striving to do his entire life. By taking risks and believing in the integrity of art and entertainment, especially hip-hop, Simmons put his hand on the pulse of a culture who still appreciates the gesture.
Sources:
"Def Comedy Jam." Wikipedia. 22 Oct. 2007. 3 Dec. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Def_Comedy_Jam.
"Loving What They Do." Oprah Winfrey. 2007. 3 Dec. 2007. http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200704/20070423/sl ide_20070423_350_101.jhtml.
"Russell Simmons." Lemonade Stories. 2007. 3 Dec. 2007. http://www.lemonadestories.com/defjam.html.
Russell Simmons acknowledges that his success story is a cautionary tale. He learned his entrepreneurial skills on the street corners from drug dealers and number runners during the 70s. After a stint as a cocaine dealer, Simmons found himself questioning his fate; most of his friends' lives had been ended by death or jail—he chose life.
Russell Simmons' life was drastically changed by a party where hip-hop's imprint was felt; he became determined to change his life, and change the hip-hop game all together. After some failures, Simmons eventually found success through his passionate embrace of hip-hop culture and music. This passion led to other avenues that opened the doors for remnants of the culture to find their voice in the mainstream through something as simple as a comedy routine.
In 1992, Russell Simmons embarked on another project that would bring the culture he represented to the forefront: Def Comedy Jam comedy. Simmons launched Def Comedy Jam on HBO, as an opportunity for predominantly African-American stand-up comedians who would otherwise have been largely ignored by other television executives. Def Comedy Jam gave them an opportunity to perform a comedy routine in front of a national audience. Stand-up comedians shared their personal experiences, using the humor often associated with the African-American culture. Def Comedy Jam, which was geared at the hip-hop community, exemplified Simmons belief that hip-hop artists and their fan bases were ultimately very spiritual, conscious people. The HBO comedy show permitted stand-up comedians freedom not often allotted to a sometimes raucous and edgy comedy routine in the mode of Richard Pryor.
Def Comedy Jam was often the first stage where well-known comedians had their start. Chris Rock, Cedric the Entertainer, and Chris Tucker each performed on Def Comedy Jam in the 90s; it was the premier comedy show for the African-American audience and comedians. Def Comedy Jam aired from 1992-1997. In 2006, HBO returned Def Comedy Jam to its fall schedule. As a result of Def Comedy Jam's successful five-year run, there are legions of fans who still fondly remember the comedy show. Those fans, and a new generation of viewers can now enjoy classic Def Comedy Jam on DVD. A box collection DVD set is available for purchase at retail chains and online at Amazon.com.
Def Comedy Jam was a dichotomy of the hip-hop culture. The African-American experience was given a voice through Def Comedy Jam, something that Simmons has been striving to do his entire life. By taking risks and believing in the integrity of art and entertainment, especially hip-hop, Simmons put his hand on the pulse of a culture who still appreciates the gesture.
Sources:
"Def Comedy Jam." Wikipedia. 22 Oct. 2007. 3 Dec. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Def_Comedy_Jam.
"Loving What They Do." Oprah Winfrey. 2007. 3 Dec. 2007. http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200704/20070423/sl ide_20070423_350_101.jhtml.
"Russell Simmons." Lemonade Stories. 2007. 3 Dec. 2007. http://www.lemonadestories.com/defjam.html.
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