Andre Harrell

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Andre Harrell
Born
Andre O’Neal Harrell

(1960-09-26)September 26, 1960
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 7, 2020(2020-05-07) (aged 59)
West Hollywood, California, U.S.
Occupation
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • producer
  • Record executive
  • Multimedia producer
Years active1981–2020
Children1[1]
Musical career
GenresHip hop
Labels
Associated acts

Andre O’Neal Harrell (September 26, 1960 – May 7, 2020) was an American music executive and multimedia producer. In 1986, recently a rapper, he formed Uptown Records, which became a leader in hip hop, R&B, and their fusion, "new jack swing." He gave Sean "Diddy" Combs his 1990 start in the business,[2] and later was CEO of Motown Records.

Early life[]

Harrell was born in The Bronx, New York City, on September 26, 1960.[1][3] His father, Bernie, worked at a produce market in Hunts Point; his mother, Hattie, was a nurse's aide. In 1978, he graduated from the Charles Evans Hughes High School.[1]

As a teenager, Harrell and Alonzo Brown, a friend from high school, formed a rap duo, Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde—Harrell and Brown, respectively.[3] The group had the hit songs "Genius Rap" in 1981 and "AM/PM" in 1984.[4]

Otherwise, Harrell studied at Baruch College, then transferred to Lehman College.[5] Intending to become a newscaster, he majored in communications and business management.[5][1] After three years, he dropped out of college and began working for a local radio station.[1][5]

Career[]

In 1983, Harrell met Russell Simmons, a co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. He went to work for Def Jam and within two years became vice-president and general manager. After a few years working at Def Jam, Harrell left and founded his own label called Uptown Records.[1]

Harrell is credited with having discovered and signing Sean "Puffy" Combs.[6] In 1988, Mary J. Blige recorded an impromptu cover of Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" at a recording booth in a local mall.[7] Her mother's boyfriend at the time later played the cassette for Jeff Redd, a recording artist and A&R runner for Uptown Records. Redd sent it to Harrell, who met with Blige. In 1989, she was signed to the label, and she became the company's youngest and first female solo artist.[8]

In 1988, Harrell was offered a label deal MCA Music Entertainment Group. After he had multiple successful releases, in 1992, MCA offered Harrell a multimedia deal, which involved film and television productions. They developed the feature film Strictly Business and FOX's hit police drama series, New York Undercover, which aired from 1994 until 1998.[1]

Harrell renamed Uptown Records as Uptown Enterprises, and its records were featured in productions for Universal Pictures and Universal Television.[9] In 1994, Harrell had a son with Wendy Credle, a music attorney. They named him Gianni Credle-Harrell.[10]

In 1995, Harrell was appointed CEO of Motown Records and remained there until 1997.[1] He also hosted Champagne & Bubbles on Sunday nights from 6 to 9pm on Emmis Urban AC WRKS (98.7 Kiss FM)/New York.[11] Harrell was the CEO of Harrell Records, which is distributed through Atlantic Records.[12] He partnered with budding Atlanta-based production company L7 Entertainment for the release of their new artists Hamilton Park and Netta Brielle.[13]

Harrell was the Vice Chairman of Revolt, Diddy's multi-platform music network. On October 17, 2014, he was instrumental in launching the Revolt Music Conference in Miami, Florida, at the Fountainbleau Hotel. The event was attended by such entertainment figures as Guy Oseary, Russell Simmons, and L.A. Reid.[14]

Death[]

Harrell died on May 7, 2020, at his home in West Hollywood, California.[1] He was 59, and news of his death was first announced on Instagram by D-Nice.[3][15] According to Wendy Credle, Harrell's ex-wife, he had been suffering from heart problems in the time leading up to his death.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j Caramanica, Jon (May 9, 2020). "Andre Harrell, Executive Who Bridged Hip-Hop and R&B, Dies at 59". The New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2020. Andre Harrell, an innovative music executive who in the late 1980s founded Uptown Records, a crucial bridge between the worlds of hip-hop and R&B, and who gave the first career break to Sean Combs, today one of hip-hop’s signature moguls and global ambassadors, died on Thursday night at his home in West Hollywood, Calif.
  2. ^ Alford, Natasha S. (May 20, 2016). "Andre Harrell dishes on how he helped take Diddy from shirtless 'bad boy' to music mogul".
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Carrega, Christina (May 9, 2020). "Legendary hip hop and R&B record label founder Andre Harrell has died". ABC News. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  4. ^ Haring, Bruce (May 9, 2020). "Andre Harrell Dies: Hitmaking Music Entrepreneur And Executive For Several Record Labels Was 59". Deadline. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Andre Harrell's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  6. ^ Traugh 2010, p. 23.
  7. ^ "Oprah Talks to Mary J. Blige". O, The Oprah Magazine. May 2006. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  8. ^ Rugoff, Lazlo (October 11, 2019). "Mary J. Blige's most iconic '90s hits collected in new box set". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  9. ^ Samuels, Anita M. (November 15, 1992). "Making a Difference; It's a Sweet $50 Million For Andre Harrell's Lineup". The New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  10. ^ Mauch, Ally (May 9, 2020). "Music Executive Andre Harrell Dead at 59: 'He Made His Living Uplifting Others,' Russell Simmons Says". People. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  11. ^ Louie, King (May 9, 2020). "RIP: Hip Hop Executive Andre Harrell Passes Away At 59". Hot 97. WQHT. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  12. ^ Mitchell, Gail (October 1, 2011). "Love Jones". Billboard. Vol. 123 no. 35. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 43. ISSN 0006-2510.
  13. ^ "Andre Harrell Speaks on Music Being the Pulse of America". Singersroom. January 22, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  14. ^ "Revolt's Inaugural Music Conference Kicks Off in Miami with Sean Combs, Guy Oseary, Craig Kallman and Many More". Billboard. October 17, 2014.
  15. ^ Peters, Mitchell (May 9, 2020). "Usher, Mariah Carey, John Legend & More React to Andre Harrell's Death". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2020.

External links[]

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