Russell Simmons Is Producing A Rap Opera

Music mogul and lifestyle guru Russell Simmons is making new moves. Since becoming a New York Times best seller with his book Success Through Stillness, the 56-year-old has moved to Los Angeles and has plans to launch some new projects, one being a rap opera.

The rap opera entitled Cain and Abel, written by Omar Epps and former Onyx member Sticky Fingaz is what Simmons calls his “true passion project.” He and business partner Jake Stein plan is to follow the frame work of Run-DMC’s Raising Hell tour of 1986 for the Broadway show.

"What 'Rock of Ages' did with rock, we're planning on doing with hip-hop," said Stein, president of Def Pictures. Their goal is to make a musical that tours the country, premiering at various "iconic hip-hop venues" in major U.S. cities.

In addition Simmons is also in the works of turning Steve McQueen’s Oscar Nominated film “12 Years a Slave” into a TV show for HBO. The Def Jam co-founder’s goal is to bring Hollywood back to what it once was, when it created projects that appealed to both black and white audiences.

"I'm doing my own projects, making my own films, shooting my own pilots, with my own money," said Simmons. "I want to make movies that can star guys like a Channing Tatum alongside Rick Ross ... It's time to reintegrate the movie business. And my new mantra is, 'Hollywood can kiss my ass.'"

[Billboard]