Hip hop heavyweight Russell Simmons launched the "Hip-Hop Team Vote: Turn up the Vote" campaign last week at a rally at the University of Pennsylvania.

"We know that young people answer the call," Simmons said in a statement. "We know that at this critical time our country needs new leadership with new ideas."

The mogul, who announced on March 2 that he's backing presidential candidate Barack Obama, and Hip-Hop Team Vote will hold a hip-hop summit in Philadelphia on April 20, two days before the Pennsylvania primary. The group also plans to target voters in Ohio, Missouri, Texas and Florida.

Hip-hop heavyweight Russell Simmons announced Sunday that he's throwing his weight behind presidential candidate Barack Obama.

"Obama's leadership, passion and demand for a change resonates effectively with the aspirations of millions of people who want a better quality of life," Simmons said in a statement.

The mogul may have kind words for the Senator now, but last year Simmons went as far as calling Obama a "mouse" when criticizing the candidate's methods of raising money for his campaign.

In the past year, Simmons has spread his support between John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and Senator Hillary Clinton -- who's worked with the entreprenuer on education and anti-poverty programs.

I guess if you spread the love around enough you're bound to pick a winner.