Russell Simmons is hanging with an arty crowd lately. The hip-hop mogul, down here Basel-ing, hosted a dinner at The Delano Thursday for his Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which he cofounded with brothers Danny, a painter, and Joseph, of iconic rap band Run-DMC.

Its goal: to help artists and young people who face adversity. The brothers will host a big fundraiser in Miami Beach April 5.

”It’s selfish, really,” Simmons says poolside at The Delano. “It makes me sleep better. My access grants other people access.”

Simmons is going to do the Basel rounds this weekend; he considers himself an amateur art collector and professional enthusiast.

”I am going to see some stuff; I want to improve my collection,” he says. ‘Rather than putting my money into the market, I put it into art. Of course, I have professionals guiding me. They tell me, `That’s worth a million dollars — that’s not.’ .”

In his New York home hang works by such ’80s artists as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Victor Matthews.

Simmons’ visit coincides with that of recent ex-wife, Kimora Lee, in town staying at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach to promote her clothing lines Baby Phat and KLS. Apparently, the two remain friends.

”I’ve been back and forth to the Ritz to see the kids,” says Simmons, who traveled here with current girlfriend Porschla Coleman, a model turned yoga enthusiast. `It’s been wonderful.”

Simmons’ current plans include launching globalgrind.com, a destination for the hip-hop community, and his latest book, Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success, coming out in paperback.

Source:
Miami Herald