Russell Simmons has responded to Jay-Z’s claim that Simmons tried unsuccessfully to recruit him into the Occupy Wall Street movement. In a GlobalGrind article titled “Jay-Z Is Right 99 Times, But This Ain’t One,” Simmons says that if his “longtime friend” Jay could understand and endorse the movement, it would “make a big difference to poor people.”

After arguing that if he had “two more minutes with [Jay] I could change his mind,” Simmons goes on to list the ways he believes OWS are important for poor people specifically and democracy in general.  

He finally wraps up the wordy appeal by stating, “So, Jay, here's the deal: You're rich and I'm rich. But today, it’s close to impossible to be you or me and get out of Marcy Projects or Hollis, Queens without changing our government to have our politicians work for the people who elect them and not the special interests and corporations that pay them… We must take our democracy off the market and let the world know that it is no longer for sale! Mic check!”