After years living abroad and staying out of the spotlight, controversial hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons may finally be preparing for a return to the United States — and Media Take Out has learned that his long-running legal troubles may now be officially behind him.
According to a new report, Simmons has quietly reached a financial settlement with multiple women who accused him of sexual misconduct, agreeing to to resolve the claims.
A Quiet End to a Years-Long Legal Battle
The settlement reportedly concludes a complex legal battle that has followed Simmons since 2017, when several women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.
Simmons has always denied the accusations, maintaining that all encounters were consensual and calling the claims false.
In the wake of those allegations, the Def Jam Records co-founder left the United States and began spending much of his time in Bali, Indonesia, where he has lived quietly for several years while practicing meditation and running small wellness ventures.
Now, sources say that the long-standing cases have been resolved, and the women involved have reportedly reached financial agreements that bring the matter to a close.
Settlement Details Remain Private
While neither Simmons nor his attorneys have publicly commented, the report claims that attorneys for several of the women confirmed that “the matter has been resolved” but declined to provide further details.
The reported settlement includes multiple accusers and totals around could total up to $11 million, though confidentiality agreements may prevent either side from discussing the specific breakdown of payments or terms.
Simmons’ legal team also declined to release a statement, maintaining their client’s long-held position that he has not engaged in any criminal behavior.
Media Take Out Exclusive: Russell Planning His U.S. Return
Media Take Out has learned from sources close to the music mogul that, now that his legal issues appear to be behind him, Russell Simmons is planning to return to the United States in the near future.
Those sources tell us that Simmons has been reconnecting with family and longtime business associates, including some within the entertainment and fashion industries, as he explores what a potential return to public life could look like.
For the past few months, Simmons has reportedly been traveling more frequently and considering relocating back to New York or Los Angeles — two cities where his career began and flourished.
Legacy Still Complicated
Russell Simmons remains one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history. As co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, he helped launch the careers of legends like Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, and Public Enemy, and built a multibillion-dollar cultural empire that included music, television, and fashion.
But the wave of allegations against him in the late 2010s dramatically changed how he is perceived — forcing him to step away from nearly all of his business ventures.
If his settlements are finalized and his return to the U.S. becomes official, it could mark the start of a new chapter — though public opinion about him remains deeply divided.
As one fan wrote online, “You can settle your cases, but you can’t erase your past.”