Scheduled to reach newsstands on March 14, the April issue examines how this burgeoning international industry, led by executives such as Def Jam Records Co-Founder Russell Simmons, has created an undeniably personal style of giving. 

Reading like a “who’s-who” of the hip-hop industry, the growing list of hip-hop philanthropists includes Diddy, Jay-Z, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Nelly, Chingy and Snoop Dogg.  Leading the way is Mr. Simmons, whose 11 year-old Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation raised more than $2.5 million over the past two years.

“Coming from the streets, these individuals often have a profound insight into the impact their philanthropy can have, and so they return to the streets, devoting their time, as well as money, to urban charities that are often overlooked by traditional philanthropists,” explains Contributing Writer Catherine Curan.  “Moreover, hip-hop’s leaders are wielding their fame to transform little-known, grassroots charities into a causes célèbres and influence legions of young fans to think philanthropically.”

These efforts, according to Mr. Simmons, are also intended to change the root causes of poverty and inequality, rather than simply trying to alleviate some of the suffering that is the outgrowth of the problems.

 “(Our goal is to have an) impact on policy…whether or not you call it philanthropy,” Mr. Simmons explains.  “In other words, when we get people to be better citizens by voting, or money in the education budget by rallying as we did with New York Mayor Bloomberg, that’s the same thing to me.  I’ve got a blurred line between the social and philanthropic stuff.”

Worth magazine
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