HIP-HOP mogul Russell Simmons has revealed how Nelson Mandela inspired his charity work in Africa during an interview with Podcast and Chill.
The 68-year-old Def Jam co-founder sat down with MacG Mukwevho and Sol Phenduka in Bali, Indonesia.
The interview has taken the Mzansi podcast international.
Simmons credits the late former president for influencing his philanthropic journey.
"I went to see Mandela and he convinced me - well I was already convinced - to start a charity, not to give to one. And we made the Def Diamond Empowerment Fund," he said.
He stated that the initiative supported education projects across the continent.
This included early funding linked to the African Leadership Academy.
"That money came from the diamond industry… and we worked closely with Botswana and President Mogae. That was as a result of my meeting with Nelson Mandela who said don't let them completely demonise diamonds because that's part of the African economies," he said.
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Simmons, once known as the "Godfather of hip-hop", helped launch some of the biggest names in music. These include Jay-Z, Kanye West, LL Cool J, Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys.
However, he has swapped global fame and business power moves for a slower lifestyle.
He now lives in Bali focused on yoga, veganism and self-discovery.
"This is yoga and vegan Disneyland. I don't want to live in America. I love visiting. I don't want to live there. I live in yoga and vegan Disneyland and I'm happy. We have two great vegan restaurants here.
"This is a place where people are living in a bubble. If you ask everybody in the sauna on any given day, 'What's life's goal?' more likely than not, the majority would answer self-discovery," he said.
Now far removed from the world that made him famous, Simmons said his focus has shifted.
He is now building inner peace instead of building an empire.
"I want to be remembered as a yogi who really promoted healing and happiness. And that's a stretch because I mean I got a lot of work to do," he said.
The interview saw hosts MacG and Sol Phenduka travelling from Mzansi to Bali for this rare sit-down with the hip-hop legend.
