Hip Hop has lost another pioneer of the music genre. Longtime music industry executive Andre Harrell passed away suddenly at the age of 59.
The news was first revealed Friday on DJ D-Nice’s Club Quarantine show, an Instagram Live event featuring the DJ spinning records. Harrell passed away on Thursday night at his West Hollywood, CA home. The cause of death is reportedly heart failure, according to his former wife Wendy Credle.
Harrell started his music career as a member of the Hip Hop duo Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, releasing hit “Genius Rap”. The Bronx native would then transition from a radio gig to the corporate world as he became vice president of Def Jam Records.
After working with Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons, in 1986 Harrell would upstart his own record label Uptown Records, known for introducing us to New Jack Swing, a style of music that merged Hip Hop with R&B. Harrell was responsible for bringing the world music greats such as, Guy, Teddy Riley, Al B. Sure, Jodeci, Heavy D and the Boyz and Mary J. Blige.
He would also hire future music mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs as an intern, quickly promoting the intern to an A&R position after recognizing his ability to pick and develop talent. Diddy was fired from Uptown Records, but the two trendsetters would reunite in the workplace when Harrell joined Diddy’s REVOLT as Vice-Chairman.
Throughout his career, Harrell was CEO of Motown and struck a deal with MCA for Uptown Entertainment. The $50 million deal enabled him to have his hands in TV and film as executive producer of Dick Wolf’s New York Undercover, Strictly Business starring Tommy Davidson, Honey starring Jessica Alba and REVOLT’s State of the Culture.
Upon his death, it was reported that he was currently working on bringing a series to BET that would follow the evolution of Uptown Records.
He is survived by his son Giannia Credle-Harrell.
RIP Mr. Harrell
