The Source & Russell Simmons Still At It

According to the NY Daily News, tension between Russell Simmons and The Source magazine continues to grow as Simmons and his Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) have recently pulled out of a Source-sponsored youth rally, which he was scheduled to attend.

"Although I applaud the efforts of The Source magazine and am looking forward to working with them in the future to promote these goals, I will not participate in this rally unless I can create dialogue between all the members of hip-hop," Simmons said in a statement.

Source magazine founders, Dave Mays and Ray Benzino, replied to his action to not attend the rally by issuing a statement accusing Simmons of "exploiting Hip-Hop for years." They went on to say, Simmons was "a serious threat to the advancement of the black community."

"We invited, and expected him to participate in the largest annual hip-hop weekend of the year," said Dave Mays and Ray Benzino. He bailed from the event because he is afraid of the authenticity and influence of The Source."

The exchange of words between Simmons and The Source is the latest between the two since Simmons' backed Eminem after the magazine released snippets of the rapper using racial slurs.

President of the HSAN, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, stated that he feared the fued would take priority over the purpose of the rally this Saturday.