Hip Hop News

Al Sharpton Vs Russell Simmons (And Universal)?

April 20th, 2007 | Author: Anthony Springer Jr

Al Sharpton has gotten more headlines than your favorite rapper since Don Imus uttered the now infamous “nappy headed hoe” phrase about the women’s basketball team at Rutgers .

After successfully leading the charge to get Imus ousted from both his TV and radio jobs, Sharpton turned his sights on negative lyrics in Hip Hop. Allegedly, Universal Records is not happy with Sharpton’s stance and is now demanding a repayment of $15,000.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Sharpton reneged on an award that was to go to Def Jam’s L.A. Reid, citing a conflict of interest.

According to the New York Post, Universal donated the money to Sharpton for the event which was to honor Reid, and now wants it returned- immediately. A rep for Universal denied the claim.

"It's absolutely not true," a spokesman for Universal Music Group told the Post. "We didn't ask for [our money] back."

The controversy doesn’t stop there. The Post also reports that Def Jam founder Russell Simmons did not purchase two tables he committed to buying for Sharpton’s National Action Network dinner Wednesday night, to which Sharpton did not take kindly to.

"Oh, you only bought tickets if he would agree with us on lyrics?" Sharpton said. "You weren't supporting the civil-rights cause, you weren't supporting the fight against police brutality? I've been against the lyrics all along."     

Simmons says he still plans to pay for the tables and also added that his “credit with the rev is good.”

We’ll keep you posted.

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