Russell Simmons to announce shock retirement from business?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

Def Jam founder created a stir on Tuesday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Simmons fans. Speculation had been rife that Def Jam founder is about to announce his retirement from business, at age 68, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 04/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a business man isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a business man just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouRussell

For a little while on Tuesday evening, #ThankYouRussell was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Russell Simmons was unlike any other business man we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouRussell”
— @universalObserver, 3 Feb 2026
“Simmons wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 3 Feb 2026

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