Russell Simmons Endorses Barack Obama

Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons has been notoriously pushing young people to vote in this year's presidential election.

According to the Associated Press, Simmons said Sunday he is endorsing Barack Obama for president, inspired by the diversity among the Illinois Senator's supporters. Obama has built an unprecedented national movement of people from all ethnic, racial, political, social and economic backgrounds, Simmons said in a news release.

"If you could take Barack Obama's image, add Hillary Rodham Clinton's money and John Edwards's voice, that would be my candidate," Simmons said in January 2007.

At the time, Simmons called Obama "a rock star" who hadn't presented a clear picture of where he stands.

While endorsing Obama on Sunday, he noted his respect for Clinton from having worked with the New York Senator on education, prison reform and anti-poverty programs.

Simmons, who has encouraged influential musicians to become more involved in the political process, said he's particularly impressed, however, by Obama's support among young people.