Russell Simmons Breaks New Ground in Hip-Hop with "Open Heart Surgery"

When Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons announced his All Def Digital YouTube channel in the summer of 2013, he said in a press release, “I’ve worked my entire professional life to promote up-and-coming talent and the new art forms they create … YouTube will benefit from having a network that reflects the incredible diversity of the new America.”

There is no artist better fit for that platform than Lazarus. He is a Detroit emcee of Pakistan ethnicity who is also a practicing physician. And that alone is unheard of. But even more importantly,

Lazarus receiving a standing ovation from the co-founder of Def Jam after rapping at a function in his home. — Lazarus receiving a standing ovation from the co-founder of Def Jam after rapping at a function in his home last year.

Laz is just one example of the potential that Hip-Hop has yet to tap into as a result of all the diversity that the new America provides. Therefore, it’s not surprising that he caught the attention of All Def Digital and even Mr. Simmons himself.

With Lazarus’ latest clip, “Open Heart Surgery,” which Russell put up today, he and Bizarre (of D12) prove that Hip-Hop credibility and a successful higher education are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they’re two things that empower each other more than anyone ever could’ve thought.

Respect due for challenging the status quo, instead of reinforcing it.