Andre Harrell

Andre Harrell, born September 26, 1960, was a legendary music executive and founder of Uptown Records, a label that shaped the sound of R&B and hip-hop in the 1980s and '90s. Starting out as one half of the rap duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, Harrell eventually transitioned to the business side of music. After a brief stint working for Def Jam, he founded Uptown Records in 1986, where he helped launch the careers of iconic artists such as Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, and Heavy D & the Boyz. Harrell is also credited with discovering and mentoring Sean "Diddy" Combs, who began his career as an intern at Uptown before becoming a global music mogul. Harrell's influence extended to television as well, producing the hit series "New York Undercover" (FOX, 1994-1999), which was one of the first police dramas to feature an African-American and Latino lead. Harrell also appeared in various TV shows and movies, such as "Bad 25" (2012) and "Apple Music's Can't Stop Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story" (2017-2018). In the 2000s, Harrell became the CEO of Motown Records, where he continued his work in blending urban music and mainstream appeal. His legacy as a cultural architect in music and television remained unparalleled. Sadly, Andre Harrell passed away on May 7, 2020, at the age of 59, leaving behind a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.