Def Jam Co-founder Accused Of Rape By Three Women

Content warning: This news article contains discussion of sexual assault.

Co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, Russell Simmons, has been accused of violent sexual behaviour by four women, three of who allege they were raped. 

As New York Times report, the incidents allegedly occurred between 1988 and 2014. 

One of the accusers, Tina Baker, claims Simmons raped her in the early '90s when he was her manager. 

"The second he agreed to work with me, my budget increased, the label was paying more attention to me," Baker said.

The musician claims she didn't sing for almost a year after the alleged assault, claiming, "I went into oblivion".

read more:

• Def Jam Co-founder Steps Down From Businesses Following New Sexual Assault Claim

• Def Jam Co-founder Denies Assault Allegations

Simmons has denied all allegations in a statement to New York Times. 

"I vehemently deny all these allegations. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual," the statement reads.

It concludes, "Although I have been candid about how I have lived in books and interviews detailing my flaws, I will relentlessly fight against any untruthful character assassination that paints me as a man of violence".

The allegations come just weeks after Simmons stepped down from his various businesses after he was accused of sexually assaulting Keri Claussen in 1991 when she was just 17.