Music mogul Russell Simmons has renewed his public dispute with HBO, issuing a blunt financial demand tied to the network’s 2020 documentary Off the Record in a January 8 post on Threads.
Simmons shared the message alongside an AI-generated image depicting himself surrounded by falling cash. The visual underscored the scale of his claim, which he framed as restitution rather than profit.
“HBO you owe me 100s of millions of dollars,” Simmons wrote. “I need my bread, for all my charities and family members, specifically my children.”
He positioned the money as compensation for harm, linking the demand to both philanthropic work and family responsibility.
His post quickly escalated in tone. “You know what you did was horrific and malicious,” Simmons added, accusing HBO of deliberate misconduct. The language suggested intent, not negligence, raising the stakes of the dispute beyond criticism of editorial judgment.
Simmons went on to challenge the network’s credibility and transparency. “You can’t hide,” he wrote, encouraging readers to “ask Oprah or anyone whose ever looked at the evidence.” The reference to Oprah Winfrey, who exited the project before its release, served to reinforce Simmons’ claim that material information was excluded.
Russell Simmons Wants $100Ms From HBO Over Off The Record
The mogul further grounded his argument in legal terms. He alleged that HBO “intentionally suppressed all of it,” adding that the evidence is “Available in suit.” The phrasing pointed to ongoing or potential litigation and signaled that his accusations extend beyond social media commentary.
Simmons concluded with a direct demand. “I want apology and 100million,” he wrote, followed by apple and pill emojis and the phrase “time to pay.” The closing line framed the dispute as overdue accountability rather than negotiation.
Off the Record documented sexual misconduct allegations against Simmons, which he has repeatedly denied. Since the film’s release, he has criticized its conclusions and accused the filmmakers and network of bias and omission.
The Threads post represents a renewed escalation in that conflict, blending legal threats with public messaging. HBO has not responded publicly to Simmons’ latest remarks.
Whether the network addresses the demand remains to be seen, but Simmons has made clear he intends to keep the matter in the public eye.
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