Russell Simmons Gets Political Bug

By Stephen M. Silverman

11/13/2001 at 12:14 PM EST

This Monday, as New York attempted to recover from yet another air tragedy, democratically minded stars and politicos turned out in force to honor Harry Belafonte, Steven Van Zandt, Russell Simmons and Christy Hefner at the Creative Coalition's 2001 Spotlight Awards Benefit Gala and Auction, hosted by comedian Caroline Rhea. Among the presenters, reports PEOPLE, were Ossie Davis, Bruce Springsteen, Christopher Reeve and William Baldwin, while attendees included Edie Falco, Bruce Springsteen, Dominic Chianese, Denise Rich, Stephen Baldwin and Stanley Tucci. Honoree Simmons, 44, arrived with his wife, Kimora Lee. Of his connection to the coalition, the hip-hop artist and entrepreneur said, "I've worked with them on protecting our (First Amendment) rights. I expect that over the next few months we're really going to need their help. I'm back and forth between New York and Washington." As for projects he's involved in with the group, Simons told PEOPLE, "We have a poetry show starting on Dec. 14 on HBO called 'Def Poetry Jam,' with Mos Def as the host. When you take the music away from rappers, they suddenly want to say something profound. So, the poetry has a lot of social and political content . . . I hope it sparks the imagination of people."