Legendary Music executive Andre Harrell has died at the age of 59. According to The New York Times, the Uptown Records founder passed on Thursday night (May 7th) at his home in West Hollywood, California. His ex-wife Wendy Credle said that the cause of death was heart failure and that Harrell had suffered from heart problems for some time.
DJ DNice broke the news during Club Quarantine on Instagram Live on Friday night (May 8th).
Andre Harrell was born in Bronx on September 26, 1960. He started his career as a rapper in the rap group Dr. Jecklyll & Mr. Hyde. They released the singles “Genius Rap” and 1984’s “A.M./P.M.” In 1983, Harrell teamed up with Russell Simmons at Def Jam and served as vice president and general manager of the label, working with artists including Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and Whodini.
In 1986, he left to start his own label Uptown Records, which launched the careers of Jodeci, Al B. Sure!, Guy, Heavy D and the Boyz and Mary J. Blige. He is also responsible for the careers of Diddy and The Notorious B.I.G.. Diddy started as an intern at Uptown and discovered Biggie while at Uptown before signing him to Bad Boy in 1993. Diddy — who was close friends with Harrell until his death, has yet to publicly respond.
Andre is survived his son, Gianni Credle-Harrell.
CELEBRITY REACTIONS
Mariah Carey: “Why Andre 😢😢😢 My heart is breaking and I can't stop crying. He was an amazing friend and I will miss him forever. 😢.”
Swizz Beatz: “Ahh man😢 My brother my friend my mentor wow …We just spoke and your energy was way up. Your spirits were so high 🙏🏽I could of never predict that you was on your way home King🙏🏽.”
Maxwell: “WHY . WE . GOTTA . HURT . LIKE . THIS . REST . IN . PEACE . #andreharrell 😞.”
QuestLove: “Dude. #AndreHarrell man. He gave you the best soundtracks of your life man and you didn’t even know it. We never gave him his flowers. He redefined the party! Def Jan was the artform. Bad Boy was the attitude…”
John Legend: “RIP Andre Harrell. Whether we knew it or not, he had such a huge influence on the R&B/hip-hop my generation grew up loving. He signed and mentored so many great artists, made so much great music happen, helped shape the culture.”
Missy Elliot: “😔LEGEND your name sits high. You molded the most ICONIC R&B/Hiphop artist in MUSIC! I met you in the 90’s & you asked me to write 4 Taral Hicks & everytime you saw me you told me to keep writing! Your accomplishments speaks for itself but YOU THE PERSON is who WE LOVE🕊Rip💜.”
50cent: “R.I.P to Andre Harrell God Bless him.”
Busta Rhymes: “I’m completely fucked up at the loss of The Godfather @iamAndreHarrell 😭😭😭 at a complete loss for words. Was my mentor, teacher, forefather, and always rooted for me. I love you and I hate this!!!! RIP King!!”
Teddy Riley: “Another sad day😔🙏🏽 We’ve lost one of the greatest mentors in my life. I’m so happy I got to tell you 1 hour before the versus Battle, how much I respect and love you, as my big brother and mentor! The pep talk that you’ve giving me right before, felt like the same pep talks that you’ve given me the beginning of Uptown records, sleeping on the couch at your office (Brownstone) in BK. You chose me out of all the kids that you could have picked to work with you. I will never forget, all of these cherished moments and I will never forget you!!! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 I salute you…King of New Jack Swing👑👑👑.”
Usher: “My prayers go out to all the family. GOD BLESS 💔You were the beginning for so many and a genuine positive energy through it all … I salute you KING!!🕊🕊🕊🕊.”
Russell Simmons: 'Heartbreaking – No words, my best friend 💔 always compassionate, good-hearted, full of love and.. what a beautiful legacy he leaves in this world… He gave everything he had. God makes the best plans R.I.P @andreharrell.”
LA Reid: “I am deeply saddend by the loss of my good friend @andreharrell – Andre has been a blessing to so many, including myself. It is with a heavy heart that I post this photo of us a few years ago. A truly gifted and brilliant impressario of the highest calibre. Andre, you will be missed. Love and blessings to Gianni and your family.”