Hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons signed Jay-Z and Ludacris, managed Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys, and created Def Jam Records with Rick Rubin. So when the multiplatform mogul says he wants to eventually run his own TV network, it’s easy to see him actually pulling it off. “All the brands I’ve built, including globalgrind.com, are an indication of the postracial future,” says the 53-year-old Financial District resident who’s also an author, fashion entrepreneur, philanthropist and TV star. “Gatekeepers don’t understand. They think there’s still segregation. This is America now. That’s why I want to buy a TV network. I don’t want a black TV network. Eighty percent of the people who grew up on hip-hop are not African-American. I’m dedicated to all the people who grew up on hip-hop. That’s the audience I want to serve.” This is his New York. –MANDY STADTMILLER
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Provocateur, 18 Ninth Ave. at Little West 12th Street
“Provocateur is for old people because it’s a club with no loud music. You can’t go with the loud blasting music. I’m way too old for that. It’s a great lounge that lots of people go to before they frequent clubs. Lots of fashion and Hollywood people go there. It’s a fun place to hang out, but it’s exclusive and hard to get into it. It’s a very sexy place. There are always models from all over the world. It’s nice in that regard.”
Zandy Mangold
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Russian & Turkish Baths, 268 E. 10th St., at First Avenue
“I’ve taken everybody to the Russian Baths, from Puffy to Walter Yetnikoff, who used to run Columbia. I took [ex-wife] Kimora [Lee Simmons] there when we first started dating. She thought it was dirty, and never went back again. I’ve taken other dates there. Some like it. I guess it depends on the girl. Probably the girls who like yoga would be OK in the bathhouse. I don’t go as much as I used to. I took Puffy, and he got addicted.”
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Jivamukti Yoga,841 Broadway, No. 2,at 13th Street
“This is where I go for daily yoga practice. I’ve also been sponsoring teachers there for the last 10 years. They study physical practice, the Sanskrit language, anatomy and all the scripture associated with yoga. It’s 800 hours of apprenticeship just to get certified. When I was in LA, I thought I would move to New York just to practice there. I take first dates to Jivamukti. You’ve got to go somewhere and sweat like a slave. I’ve had girls who never ended up dating me, but they ended up going to Jivamukti regularly.”
Jackson Lee / Splash News
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Choshi Restaurant, 77 Irving Place, at 19th Street
“They make a sizzling tofu steak and spicy avocado roll, both are non-vegan. There’s some egg mixed into that batter. I know it, but I refuse to acknowledge it. I’m not such a strict vegan. I eat egg noodles when no one’s looking. I go there all the time with my driver, Kenny Lee. He’s been one of my best friends for 40 years. “
Astrid Stawiarz
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The Darby, 244 W. 14th St., near Eighth Avenue
“Andre Harrell [the label executive who launched Puffy and Mary J. Blige] had his 50th birthday party here, and Chris Rock made fun of everyone in the room, from Kim Kardashian to Puffy to me. His birthday party opened up Darby. Babyface performed, and he was so nervous because he was sitting there with the whole industry. He said, ‘I don’t drink, Russell, but I’m nervous as s – – t.’ I said, ‘You’re on your third vodka.’ ”
Astrid Stawiarz
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Juice Press, 70 E. First St., at First Avenue
“I go to Organic Avenue and Liquiteria also, but this is the new fun place to get your juice. I think if people drank green vegetable juice and alkaline water, it would prevent so many diseases and change people’s lives.They sell something called Horny Gorilla, which is for circulation but it actually does what you think. It’s liquid Viagra. I also take girls here. People say, ‘Russell’s rich.’ And then I take them to a grungy juice bar.”
