Russell Simmons Defends Jay-Z's Occupy Wall Street T-Shirts

Zack de La Rocha, Lil B, Amanda Palmer also join the OWS movement

By Jenn Pelly, November 16, 2011 5:51 p.m. CT





Jay-Z 's controversial "Occupy All Streets" t-shirts that don't benefit the Occupy Wall Street movement do have one high-profile fan: Russell Simmons. In a recent interview with Billboard, Simmons said, "What's wrong with selling goodness? There's nothing wrong with it. It's not the most preferred. In yogi scripture, at least, the highest form of giving is giving without expectation. Selfless. But a lot of people need incentive."

He continued:

"You should sell things you're happy about. You should sell products that you're inspired by, that promote lasting and stable well-being. Give the world something or sell the world something that you're proud of. Jay-Z didn't make a T-shirt [that said] 'F--- the Bums on the Street'. He wrote a T-shirt 'Occupy All Streets' - I'm happy, it furthers the movement, it inspires the movement."

Simmons also told Billboard that he is working on acquiring permits for a concert in support of the movement. He also hinted that artists have OWS-inspired songs in the works: "There'll be a protest song that goes along with Occupy Wall Street. I promise you that. Me and you, promise."

Simmons visited the OWS camp at Zuccotti Park with Kanye West last month. Along with previously mentioned pro-OWS moves from Jeff Mangum, Talib Kweli, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Bun B, Die Antwoord, and more, other artists have spoken out in favor of the protests:

-- Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de La Rocha wrote a poem inspired by the movement. In a statement, he said, "This poem is dedicated to the Occupy movement whose courage is changing the world. Stay Strong. We are winning."

-- In a recent interview with The Boston Phoenix, Lil B endorsed the movement:

I'm actually down for people to tax the rich. I have money myself. I will give up my money to help the world and to help people less than me as long as I know that it's going for a good cause. I want everybody to have an equal opportunity and an equal chance. I love every human. I want nobody to feel scolded or left out. Whatever we got to do to make humans get together, that's what we got to do.

-- Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls recently visited seven Occupy sites in Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Vancouver, Seattle, Boston and New York. Afterwards, she worked with Boston filmmaker Michael Gill to produce a video paying homage to the protesters. It features a montage of photos documenting the movement, as well as Palmer's ukelele rendition of the 1975 Leon Rosselson protest song "The World Turned Upside Down".

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