Russell Simmons apologized and took down the controversial Harriet Tubman Sex Tape from All Def Digital, his new YouTube channel.

The video is a parody of famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who blackmails her "master" with a sex-tape for control of the Underground Railroad. Tubman is portrayed by popular YouTube actress Shanna Malcolm. 

Simmons immediately took action after receiving a directive from the NAACP to remove the video and followed it up by issuing an apology on Global Grind Thursday:

"In the whole history of Def Comedy Jam, I've never taken down a controversial comedian. When my buddies from the NAACP called and asked me to take down the Harriet Tubman video from the All Def Digital YouTube channel and apologize, I agreed.

"I'm a very liberal person with thick skin. My first impression of the Harriet Tubman piece was that it was about what one of actors said in the video, that 162 years later, there's still tremendous injustice. And with Harriet Tubman outwitting the slave master? I thought it was politically correct. Silly me.  I can now understand why so many people are upset.  I have taken down the video. Lastly, I would never condone violence against women in any form, and for all of those I offended, I am sincerely sorry."

A lot of people had concerns with the scandelous video and a Change.org petition condemning the video started to garner support as news of the video spread. It read: "Rape is not a joke, nor is the sexual violation of African American women by enslavers a punchline. Russell Simmons should remove the video and apologize for contributing to rape culture and the denigration of women, African Americans and our enslaved ancestors." 

After the footage was uploaded online Simmons tweeted about the video, calling it the funniest thing he'd ever seen.


Simmons announced on Wednesday the launch of All Def Digital, which will feature urban music, comedy and spoken word. All Def Digital, is a collaboration between Rush Digital Media, Simmons' media company and Dreamworks Animation subsidiary Awesomeness TV. The channel has also partnered with Google/YouTube and GlobalGrind.com

Tags: russell simmons harriet tubman sex tape all def jam def jam