”I am a lifestyle entertainment entrepreneur” Behind the glasses and distinct grin, you will find a creator with a vision that only a chemist could measure up. Suited by his intelligence, this iconic businessman could crush a groove at a distance, calling out all the bad boys to create the new uptown lingo.
Andre Harrell founded Uptown Records which became the epicenter for R&B as well as an elixir to the urban music sound in the 90s. With artists such as Jodeci, Heavy D and The Boyz, Mary J. Blige, and Al B. Sure selling platinum albums, he was sure to hit superstardom within 5 years.
After hiring Sean “Puffy” Combs as his successor, the volcano erupted and the culture of hip hop would no longer be the same….
While growing up in the Bronx, NY, Harrell and Alonzo Brown (high school friend), formed a rap duo named “Dr. Jekyll” (Harrell) and “Mr. Hyde” (Brown). The group achieved success with three major hit songs “Genius Rap,” “Fast Life,” and “AM/PM.” Despite this early success in the music industry, Harrell had other career intentions.
In 1983, Harrell met Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons, who at the time founded Rush Management, a company that launched the careers of cutting-edge black “street” artists. Within his two years at Rush, Harrell became vice-president and general manager, playing a pivotal role in building the careers of artists like Run DMC, LL Cool J, and Whoodini.
Rush did a phenomenal job of promoting the raw, black street sound, but Harrell saw another black sound being overlooked: the more subtle sound coming from the marriage of rhythm and blues, with hip-hop. Harrell felt he could bridge the gap between “street” and middle to upper class so he left Rush Management to launch Uptown Records.
Responsible for inspiring the musical genius we now know as P. Diddy and the power house we now call Bad Boy, the musical chemist sold Uptown to MCA, forcing a major shift in the music industry.
His recent participation at the 1st Annual Radio One Media Conference, held in Raleigh NC, allowed many students of the industry to catch a firsthand glimpse of the legend while engaging in a panel discussion, entitled “Getting Inspired with Mr. Andre Harrell”. Harrell’s prolific speech inspired and encouraged many young entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and stay focused.
In late 2009 he signed a major distribution deal with Atlantic Records, birthing Harrell Records. If his new label is anything reminiscent of or larger than Uptown Records, he will most definitely change the formula of the current state of hip hop and new stars will be born.
Harrell has become an advisor who has created an empire to stand against time, trials and media that does not suppress. Indeed, he is one of the most notable names in music to date. You can see him in a grey or black suit on the hit reality TV show “I Want to Work for Diddy,” critiquing each competitor after their challenges. ”I’ve created stars and celebrities,” stated Harrell, “Now I want to make superstars.”
Indeed, Doctor Andre Harrell has the magic touch.
Erica McRae
