Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam Recordings and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, is arguably the most political member of the hip-hop community.

FORBES: Endorsement Rap

As I wrote in my book Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went From Street Corner to Corner Office, the rapper negotiated the return of the master recordings to all the music he made while at Def Jam as part of an agreement to become president of the label in 2004.

FORBES: Jay-Z's New Publishing Deal Is Just The Beginning