Music executive Andre Harrell, who discovered Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, dies at 59
Andre Harrell, a music executive who founded Uptown Records and discovered Sean “Puffy” Combs, died Friday. He was 59.
Harrell’s death was first announced by DJ D-Nice on his Instagram Live early Saturday morning, Billboard reported. The magazine said it received separate confirmation from other sources.
Gone too soon. 65 is young! Kenny Burns, Russell Simmons & more react. Folks commenting RIP on Diddy post of his family camping video smh. DNice did #ClubQuarantine & was getting messages on Andre Harrell death, paused his Live to speak & played some hits Andre responsible for. pic.twitter.com/8CAHctRU0D— Cardi B News (@cardibchannel) May 9, 2020
Harrell, who was born in New York City, began his music career as one half of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, a rap duo that scored a minor hit in 1981 with “Genius Rap,” a song that sampled the Tom Tom Club’s song, “Genius of Love,” Variety reported. Two years later, Harrell began working for Def Jam Records, eventually rising to vice president and general manager of the label, the magazine reported.
In 1986 Harrell founded Uptown Records and became influential in the development of hip-hop and the New Jack Swing style of R&B, Billboard reported.
He discovered Combs, later known as Diddy, who was an intern at the record label. Combs eventually worked full time for Harrell as a talent director. Other artists Harrell signed included Heavy D & the Boyz, Mary J. Bilge and The Notorious B.I.G., Billboard reported.
Uptown’s distribution partner, MCA, offered Harrell a multimedia deal, and he became the executive producer of the television show, “New York Undercover,” Variety reported. He also was executive producer for the 1991 comedy, “Strictly Business,” and in 1993 the label recorded the first showcase edition of MTV’s “Unplugged” series, according to Variety.For anybody that didn’t know..— Jabari Sr. (@FLEXIN3X) May 9, 2020
Jodeci
Mary J Blige
Diddy
Biggie
Al B Sure
Soul For Real
Guy
Lost Boyz
Father MC
Christopher Williams
...all on Uptown.
RIP Andre Harrell. pic.twitter.com/uYnkJlbZEo
In 1995, Harrell was briefly the president and CEO of Motown.
At the time of his death, Harrell was working on a TV miniseries about Uptown, Variety reported.
