Angela Simmons is turning a fresh page in her life, and it was inevitable that she would eventually lean into the music many believe runs in her blood.
A mother, entrepreneur, fitness devotee, and multi-hyphenate, Simmons is presenting herself to the world anew as Angela Renee, a spoken-word artist, enlisting Jadakiss, a veteran rapper, and the singer Résa for her first single, “Run To.”
“I want people to really be able to feel like, when it comes to ‘Run To,’ it’s more about the feeling, the vibration, what I’m telling you, what I’m saying, and when I’m speaking, I’m really speaking directly to other people, but also myself,” Renee told MadameNoire.
“I think everyone hides behind masks and uses distractions to avoid facing their truth. We all carry pain and challenges, but the crucial moment comes when you finally face it head-on and admit, ‘I’m running from this instead of facing it.’ That awakening, followed by taking the time to nurture yourself and tend to your needs, is what truly matters.”
She added, “That’s when it matters most. My hope is for people to genuinely feel at their best, to honestly confront themselves, and to address more than just the body—to check in mentally and repair things when they’re off.”
Honoring Her Musical Roots
Renee is the second child of Joseph Simmons—widely known as Rev Run—and his first wife, Valerie Vaughn. She was born into a rich musical heritage, thanks to her father’s pivotal role as a founder of the iconic hip-hop group Run-DMC.
For the debut of “Run To,” Renee joined forces with the storied hip-hop imprint Ruff Ryders, a move many view as her path to forge a distinctive musical lane of her own.
“Ruff Ryder is like family, and it goes back to family ties from the very beginning, and so that in itself has its own legacy,” she said. “I feel like the lane I’m stepping into hasn’t quite been done yet, and it’s a lot different than what I have seen and what I have heard. So I’m just allowing myself to create a space to really explore that and do it in a way that feels new and different, but that still feels great for everybody else to listen and be a part of.”
Her Stance On Artificial Intelligence
The current state of the music industry is evolving rapidly, thanks to technological advancements, especially AI, which has been a highly controversial topic for many.
“There’s nothing above a creative, human individual,” said Renee. “I mean, AI is great, right? We know it’s a part of our now and where life is going, so you have to, obviously, stay up with it. But, something about the creative mind, because there are things you can do with AI, and still be you. You know what I mean? So protecting yourself and your creativity, those are the most important parts when it comes to that. It’s not to say that you can’t do stuff with AI, but it’s how you do it. What makes it so unique, and what’s special, is that it’s the individual. It’s what’s coming from you. Because even behind AI, there’s still a person who’s making that work.”
Renee concluded, “So, I’m not against AI, I just think that it’s about protecting legacy and branding, and authenticity.”
From New York To Atlanta To The World
To celebrate the release of “Run To,” Renee and a host of supporters and fellow musicians like Ari Lennox and producer Zaytoven came together at Atlanta’s Retreat by the Gathering Spot on Friday, March 13.
It was another intentional move by the artist, though she’s a proud New Yorker, because Renee understands the influence that Atlanta continues to have on music and the culture overall.
“Atlanta is very important when it comes to creativity and music, like, energy,” she said. “When you think of the greats that come out of here, and you think of Ludacris, T.I., and all of these different artists that come from here. For me, being able to launch ‘Run To’ here means a lot. I love the city of Atlanta. It was all in alignment.”
