The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) kicks off Black Music Appreciation Month with an exclusive interview with Def Jam founder Russell Simmons.

The interview was live streamed at in 1979 by a decree from President Jimmy Carter, Black Music Appreciation Month celebrates the African-American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation’s treasured cultural heritage, according to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Throughout the month, the Black Press is expected to welcome many influential and up and coming artists to participate in interviews and live streams in observance of National Black Music Appreciation Month.

On June 1, Simmons discussed his role in the birth of hip hop, including his involvement with the legendary Def Jam Records and groundbreaking artists RUN DMC, Kurtis Blow, Salt-N-Pepper, Eric B and Rakim and Public Enemy.

The Def Jam family included RUN DMC, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, JAY-Z, Slick Rick, DMX, Kanye West and hundreds of other artists.