Rap mogul making Def Jam comeback

Simmons helped bring rap and hip hop to the mainstream

Rap producer Russell Simmons is returning to Def Jam, the record label he established more than 20 years ago.

The 47-year-old music mogul's first project will be producing an album for his brother Rev Run, a founding member of hip hop group Run-DMC.

Simmons sold his record label in 1999 for $100m (£53m), but continued to expanded the Def Jam name into television, theatre and clothing.

The new venture will merge Def Jam with the Russell Simmons Music Group.

Simmons said he was excited at the prospect of a return to producing music.

'Guiding Spirits'

"There are a lot of great records to be made out there, like the Run record," he said.

"Nobody would make that record. Nobody would know to make that record. I like the idea of doing something different," added Simmons.

Antonio Reid, the current chairman of Def Jam, - which comes under the umbrella of the Universal music company - paid tribute to Simmons.

The Beastie Boys were originally signed to Def Jam records

"He is one of the guiding spirits and musical godfathers of hip hop in America and around the world," he said.

The pair reportedly clashed when Reid took over the chairmanship last year, with Simmons questioning Reid's hip hop credentials.

Simmons will continue ventures in other areas, such as a reality TV show which he says has been given the go-ahead by MTV.

It will feature Simmons' brother Rev Run - who is a evangelical preacher - and his "functional family", in what he has called "Bill Cosby on steroids".

Simmons' Def Jam was the label which launched the careers of the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy.