Rap Beef: Russell Simmons Compares Hip-Hop's Current State To Biggie Smalls Vs. Tupac

Even from his luxury retreat in Bali, Russell Simmons is keeping up with the latest unfolding in the music industry. Though he spends most of his time focusing on mental wellness and meditation these days, on Monday (April 15), the executive posted a video on Instagram with some thoughts on all the drama unfolding around us recently. In his post, Simmons reflected on the infamous East vs. West Coast beef that led to the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. He compares it to modern situations, including global wars that are far beyond the problems of the entertainment world.

"I walked Biggie to his car and I felt, that night, his death," Simmons shared. "I must have been involved in saving the lives of God knows how many rappers. I’ve solved so many rap beefs behind the scenes," he added. After walking Smalls to his car, the 66-year-old headed home where he got a call from a leading member of the Crips gang.

Russell Simmons Shares Thoughts on Hip-Hop Feuds Past and Present From Bali

"Mike Concepcion called me and told me [Biggie] had been killed. The next day, I called and we set up a meeting at Mr. Farrakhan’s house. We had a meeting where East and West came together. It kind of stopped the war," Simmons told his followers. "But it was a big deal because people were dying. Biggie and Tupac were dead. Rap beef escalated to that. We had a meeting and I felt, that night, his death."

While her dad uses his IG platform to reflect on his role in the music industry, Aoki Lee Simmons has also been expressing herself online. The 21-year-old was under a lot of scrutiny for vacationing with a man over four decades older than her recently, and while she looked happy in his company on the beach, their fling ended almost as quickly as the world found out about it. Read what Russell Simmons' daughter said about the situation at the link below, and check back in with HNHH later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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