Russell Simmons Leads Pa. Voter Registration Drive

The co-founder of a legendary hip hop record label hopes to see Pennsylvania's voter rolls spin in record numbers before next month's presidential primary.

Russell Simmons has sold millions of records since Def Jam Records spawned the careers of Run-DMC, LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys in the 1980s. Now, the producer-turned-activist is hoping to register thousands of voters for Pennsylvania's critical April 22 primary.

Simmons announced the "Hip-Hop Team Vote: Turn up the Vote" campaign at the University of Pennsylvania on Wednesday. The group plans to use public service announcements from Will Smith, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Wyclef Jean and others to help register 15,000 to 20,000 voters before Monday's deadline.

"We know that young people answer the call," Simmons said, adding that the turnout effort was geared toward people ages 18-35. "We know that at this critical time our country needs new leadership with new ideas."

In 2001, Simmons created the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network to engage young people in community development issues. He had to take a leave of absence as chairman before endorsing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama over New York Sen. Hillary Clinton because it is a nonprofit.

Both Obama and Clinton have been campaigning heavily in Pennsylvania as they head toward the state's April 22 primary.

Simmons, 50, and other organizers said they plan to hold a hip-hop summit in Philadelphia on April 20, two days before the primary.

"It starts here in Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia," said Benjamin Chavis, president and CEO of the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund.

The group also hopes to target voters in Ohio, Missouri, Texas and Florida.

PATRICK WALTERS

The Associated Press