
Just when you thought Russell Simmons had the last word stemming from his 2009 verbal attack towards Bill Cosby, think again.
The Def Jam Records cofounder leveraged his Global Grind platform to inform the masses of his most recent encounter with the renowned comedian, philanthropist and activist during last week's Jackie Robinson Awards gala.
During the event, which honored hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs with the Renaissance Man of the Decade award, Simmons attempted to make amends with the Emmy Award-winning comedy icon by apologizing for his criticism. His effort was met with a scathing response.
"I wanted to find him to apologize, to tell him I was sorry about my statements and to tell him that I loved him," Simmons explained. "Suddenly, I turned and he was behind the curtain and I said, 'I love you,' and he responded on some real hip-hop, 'Get the f*ck out my face!' "
The Philadelphia native has made it quite clear not to confuse him with Cliff Huxtable.

Prior to the two industry giants' recent face-to-face meeting, Simmons wrote an open letter to Cosby in Nov. 2009 condemning and questioning his anti-hip hop campaign in addition to his generation's propensity to correlate violence with today's youth.
"It is certainly not that he and the rest of the elders don't care, because they do," he asserted. "In fact, their intentions are pure and good. All the things they say are actually true. What they don't understand is that the young people who they criticize did not create their own realities," he wrote, before adding, "Mr. Cosby, you know that your generation is carrying a lot more dirt, you are all just smart enough to cover it up."
Not one to lose his cool, Simmons took a liking to Cosby's off-color remark. In fact, he was even more intrigued by the their interaction following Simmons' onstage presentation to Combs.
"His next move was straight-up old-school pre-b-boy hood sh--," Simmons explains. "He walked by me and bumped me with his shoulder as I walked offstage after presenting my award to Sean, just like the cool-ass character in 'Let's Do It Again.' I then loved him even more."
"He's from the same hood I'm from, just got a lucky break like me, cause I am [one of] those suffering men. And after that elbow, I knew he was too."


Comments: (201)
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By: cole on 3/16/2011 8:53PM
If the older people don't tell us like it is, who will. Most people tell us stuff just to appease us or pretend to be our friend....
But uncles, grandparents, and seniors, they will tell the truth as they know it.
Cosby came out pretty strong against hip-hop. He had just lost a son, so there was nothing that Russell or anybody else could say to him to hurt his feeling.
Cosby was already hurting and decided before he dies, to try to help the future generation.
And when you get to the point where you don't give a care what others think about you, you'll tell the truth too.
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By: SAY WHAT! on 3/16/2011 7:29PM
Bill Cosby is not Fake.
So, if he tell someone
"Get the F out my face"
he has good reason.
Mr Cosby is trying to leave a lasting positive legacy for others to model after.
Regardless of his delivery, he meant it in the sweetest way possible without having to resort to crackin a Mo Fo
Go Bill we got your back!!
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By: LovesEm on 3/17/2011 6:50AM
Very well put Cole. Mr Cosby true colors are coming forward now. As I was reading this article, My thoughts on Mr. Simmons comparison of Mr. Cosby's movie rolls to the Hip Hop culture made me also think of 'Let's Do It Again, & A Piece of the Action, & Up Town Saturday Night' movies that shedded light on lifestyle for that eara.
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By: FRANKLY on 3/17/2011 11:08AM
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SKEWED STORY FROM ONE SIDE.
IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION & ILL FEELINGS WITH SOMEONE, THEY STEP UP TO YOU & SAY...."I LOVE YOU" (LOL!)... THAT COULD MEAN THEY ARE TRYING TO BAIT, THE PERSON ISN'T SINCERE, OR IT COULD BE A THREAT.....
"I LOVE YOU" IN THAT SORT OF SITUATION, DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT.
BILL COSBY DESERVES 50 TIMES MORE RESPECT THAN HE GETS FOR ALL THE THINGS HE HAS DONE FOR BLACKS IN ENTERTAINMENT, THE MANY MILLIONS HE HAS DONATED TO MANY BLACK CAUSES, AND DOORS HE HAS HELPED OPEN FOR MANY BLACKS, EVEN RUSSELL SIMMON TYPES.
EVEN A RETARDED BLIND MAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THAT HIP HOP MUSIC HAS PROMOTED TOO MUCH "GANGSTER MENTALITY, CHEAPENING OF WOMEN, AND STUPID SYHIT"......THE REAL ISSUE IS BULLSYHIT SELLS & HOW SIMMONS MADE HIS FORTUNE (he's making a few bucks on the horrible rip off "RUSH CARD" too)....
SIMMONS SAYS BILL NEED TO UNDERSTAND "da hood
MESSENGERS" DID NOT CREATE THEIR OWN
REALITIES...BILL KNOWS, THE HOOD OR ANYONE IN IT,
CAN NOT IMPROVE UNTIL YOUNG & OLD BLACKS "TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY" AND KNOW WE ARE "IN CHARGE" OF OUR
REALITIES
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By: Purposeful on 3/17/2011 12:21PM
I don't feel led to speak on behalf of either men, although I believe Bill was reacting, rather than pro-acting. Surely Bill has paid his dues, but that should not license impatience with the new generations activities and processes.
I speak that no matter what Mr. Simmons may have done, said, or represent. We as people living together on this same piece of land, be we Black, White, Native American, etc., have a need to be willing to make room in our consciousness to relate to perceptions that may conflict with our own morals even, in order to create a dialogue that may lead to some mutual understandings and acceptance. The Words of God in the proverbs lead those who are seeking wisdom, in these evil days to "In all our seeking, seek understanding". BJ
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By: jj on 3/17/2011 12:08PM
who gives a ,DAM.
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By: Zartan on 3/17/2011 12:25PM
Your damn right. Russell is so sold out that it's not even funny. He doesn't see his crime. Get rich or die trying.:/
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By: ron ransom on 3/18/2011 12:47AM
it is kind of sad to see two high profile, extremely successful african american males..showing the world how shallow they can be...jalen rose, grant hill, guess who is enjoying seeing this..those of us who have been blessed to survive real racial strife,have to be an example at all cost to those who need our wisdom..creat some better news flashes my brothers..peace
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By: ADMR on 3/16/2011 7:27PM
Dr Cosby....Straight Talk, In Those Fags Face Indeed SEE AND
GoOD Evening REV.....REMINDER: Didn't Fall Fot The Banana Up The Tailpipe Trip.
AND, JoJo....Whoe Needs A Woman & Some Nuts??? - SOH
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By: LAYLAYLUV42 on 3/26/2011 12:30PM
I'M NOT TRYING TO DISRESPECT MR COSBEY, BUT BILL COSBEY IS A HUMAN BEING JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELS, EVERYBODY GOT THER OWN HANGUP'S, AND MR. COSBEY HIS OWN, AND HE'S NOT PERFECT HIM SELF. THE ONLY WAY YOU ARE GOING TO REACH THE YOUTH TODAY IS WITH LOVE, AND JUST TELL THEM THE TRUTH IN LOVE, I FEEL ALOT OF THE SAME THINGS MR. COSBEY DOES I DONT BELIEVE IN CALLING MAN OR WOMAN OUT OF THERE NAMES IT IS DISRESPECTFULL, BUT DON'T TURN AROUND AND USE THE SAME PROPHANITY YOU'ER PROTESTING ABOUT TO ANOTHER PERSON, THATS NOT RIGHT, I SEE HE'S NOT ABOVE CURSING AT PEOPLE EITHER.AND BLACK EXPORTATION IS BLACK EXPORTATION WETHER IT'S IN THE UP TOWN SATURDAY NIGHT OR HIPHOP. AND THOSE 70'S FILM HAD THERE PIMPS, HOOKERS,DRUGS,AND GAMBLING, SO HE GOT HIS MONEY ON THE SAME WAY,YOU MIGHT ASWELL SAY.
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