By Betsy Scheinbart
August Martin High School was overflowing with excited students last Thursday as Russell Simmons, an alumnus of the school and founder of Def Jam Records, took the role of principal for a day.
Simmons grew up in Hollis and his brother, the Rev. Run Simmons of the rap group Run DMC, still lives in the area.
As head of the Def Jam label, Simmons has recorded some of the hottest hip-hop, R&B, and rap artists like Funkmaster Flex, Foxy Brown, LL Cool J and Jay-Z.
Musiq Soulchild, a popular new R&B artist, met Simmons at the school and performed his hit song “Just Friends” for screaming fans in the school auditorium.
The event was arranged by Public Education Needs Civic Involvement in Learning.
Simmons began his day as principal with a round-table discussion with several dozen students, including many members of the student government.
The students expressed interest in Simmons’ entrance into the clothing industry as well as the music industry. He started the Phat Farm clothing line in 1992 and modeled one of the short-sleeved, collared shirts at the school.
His advice for building a career in both industries was the same: Stay in school and find a focus, something you are good at and enjoy.
“Even those most likely to succeed need a focus,” Simmons said. “When you choose something you like, you will get something out of it every day.”
Soulchild agreed, saying “everybody here has a gift God gave you. It’s just a feeling you can’t describe, something you know you are good at.”
Soulchild, who is from Philadelphia, said he regretted dropping out of high school because he had to learn many things “the hard way.” He urged the August Martin students not to drop out.
Simmons, who graduated from August Martin in 1975, attended the City College of New York for four years but stopped four credits short of a degree. He emphasized the importance of a college experience and encouraged the students to apply to schools that fit their interests.
“More than what you learn in the books, you learn ways to open up to people, communicate with other people from all over the world,” Simmons said of college.
Student Council President Janae Lawrence, Secretary Natashia Deshommes and 11th-grade President Hugh Bennett presented August Martin sweatshirts to Simmons and Soulchild to thank them for the meeting.
Bennett, who is interested in possibly entering the fashion industry, asked Simmons how to pursue a career in the field. Simmons encouraged Bennett to go to a college like the Fashion Institute of Technology or even business school.
“He showed me the path,” Bennett said of Simmons’ success with Phat Farm. “He’s an example.”
After the morning round-table, Simmons said students might pay attention to his message because he is well-known in the music industry and comes from a similar background.
“I actually went to this school and I have some of the success that they are working towards,” Simmons said. “Sometimes they believe me, not because of my talent but because of my business.”
Meanwhile, in the hallways, students were buzzing over the special guests and the upcoming assembly. They filed into the school auditorium in an organized but extremely loud manner.
“I am your principal for the day!” Simmons announced over the screaming students.
“I think I have the power to suspend you,” he said of the students, who were unable to settle down. Geri Taylor-Brown, the school’s regular principal, backed him up, telling students to calm down.
Simmons answered a few questions from the students before he introduced Soulchild, who performed with a DJ and three backup singers, including two singers from the female group Aaries.
Nearly the entire school sang along with Soulchild as he performed “Just Friends,” his first hit single from the “Nutty Professor 2” soundtrack, and his debut album, “Aijuswanaseing.”
Students swayed in their seats, practically shaking the entire auditorium and filling in the words to the chorus when Soulchild turned the microphone toward them.
After the performance, teens dashed out the school’s front doors to catch another glimpse of Soulchild and Simmons as they left and maybe even get their autographs.
Reach reporter Betsy Scheinbart by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 138.
