. >> def jam cofounder russell simmonds is one of the most influential people in the music industries and has strong views on gay rights. soledad o'brien sits with him on "talk to al jazeera". >> michael sams has just come ou. you are vocal when it comes to gay rites. tell me why? >> people are suffering, peel need to wake up. consciousness, it's the same thing. you have a voice. gays should get the rights that we want for ourselves and give to others. the respect that we demand nor ourselves we should give to others. that's a simply mantra i try to lie by. i want to get married - again. not now. >> let's here what news we are making. go ahead. >> i want to get married again. people should have the right to get married. so things like that - if you see justice, and don't say anything, maybe you have other issues. >> this kid that plays in the n.f.l. >> he can play. >> he has to get to the draft, would he be the first openly gay n.f.l. player. >> good for him. bad for america that he's the first openly gay - there's a lot of gay football players proud of him, rooting for him. gay footb

the medal count: >> i'm jonathan betz, "talk to al jazeera" with russell simmonds is up next. for updates go to aljazeera.com. ♪ ♪ >>> you have a voice, you use it if you can. so i have a voice and i use it. >> hip hop pioneer and business mogul russell simons is a man of vision. >> you can't fail until you quit. >> music, fashion, social action, the def jam founder is a pervasive cultural influence and a strong advocate for justice. >> the war on drugs has done more to detroit the fabric of the black community than anything that we can think of. not the effects of jim crow and the effects of slavery, it's the war on drugs. >> he's also a practicing yogi, who values daily medication. it's the subjects of his latest book, success through still ,. >> i want to be enlightened. >> i caught up with my friend russell simons at a recording stood know in york. how would you describe what you do? you are a -- >> i have no idea. >> you defy the kind of -- >> i don't want to have a title. >> let's say there was one person who didn't know you and you said, i am i am russell -- >> i am an

the medal count: >> i'm jonathan betz, "talk to al jazeera" with russell simmonds is up next. for updates go to aljazeera.com. ♪ ♪ >>> you have a voice, you use it if you can. so i have a voice and i use it. >> hip hop pioneer and business mogul russell simons is a man of vision. >> you can't fail until you quit. >> music, fashion, social action, the def jam founder is a pervasive cultural influence and a strong advocate for justice. >> the war on drugs has done more to detroit the fabric of the black community than anything that we can think of. not the effects of jim crow and the effects of slavery, it's t