With his latest book hitting shelves (Success Through Stillness: Meditation Made Simple), Russell Simmons stops by his former Def Jam Records employee, Combat Jack’s show. Beginning at the 16-minute mark, Uncle Rush enters. In the lengthy and coherent interview, Russ speaks about his storied drug days and early era as a Hollis, Queens hoodlum—making a case for the changes in his life now. He shows how he juggles so much, with a calm demeanor and a managed schedule. Simmons also recalls his pre-Def Jam Records days, managing Kurtis Blow, traveling the world. He talks “Success” in a way that lines up nicely with the 2007 Jay Z song of the same name. Jewels also include Russell Simmons recalling Dame Dash barking on Hollywood moguls the Weinstein Brothers and costing Roc Films a distribution deal, getting locked up, and his views on love and marriage.

Get a better, inside look at the mind of Hip-Hop’s original mogul:

Related: Snoop Interviews Russell Simmons and the Conversation is a Stone Krush Groove. Get This Knowledge (Video)