Joseph "Reverend
Run" Simmons has been named President of Phat Farm Athletics after heading
up Phat Farm Footwear, a division of Phat Farm.
The division of
the company, which is owned by his brother Russell, raked in more that $170
million in sales of athletic gear in nine months under Run’s guidance.
"I go to the
office everyday and I never thought that I was the office type," Run told
AllHipHop.com. "When I got there, Russell had a sneaker company that had
about 10 sneakers out that weren’t doing anything. When I arrived, Jesus put
the sneakers on and the company is now worth a hundred million dollars in under
9 months."
Simmons said that
the success of the shoe was in part due to the extensive traveling that was
done promoting "economic justice" at his brother’s various Hip-Hop
Summits, which took place in Detroit, Philadelphia and Birmingham, Alabama.
In addition to
the Phat Classic The Replay and the Rev-1 sneaker lines that are available from
the company, Simmons said that a new sneaker will be introduced shortly, the
Run-Tek.
"This is all
really exciting when you think about it. I always tell Russell Jesus got his
sneakers on."
Simmons announced
his retirement from Run-DMC after the murder of Jam Master Jay in October of
2002.
"I used the
wisdom of Jesus to help cope with the death of Jam Master Jay," Run continued.
"I am truly saved and born again and I am very happy that I landed safely
on my feet."
