Andre Harrell Dead: Hip-Hop Legend Passes Away at Age 59

Source: Derrick Salters/WENN.com / WENN

Legendary music exec Andre Harrell was found dead at his apartment on Friday (May 8). He was 59 years old.

DJ D Nice confirmed the news on Instagram Live during his quarantine mix, announcing that he’d be cutting it short because the news was too much to bear.

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Harrell, who founded Uptown Records and part of the Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde rap duo in the 80s, was responsible for launching the careers of Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke, Heavy D, Jodeci, Anthony Hamilton, Teddy Riley and more. In 1995, he became the president and CEO of Motown Records, overseeing Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Queen Latifah, all the while launching the careers of 98 Degrees and Mario Winans. As a mentor to Diddy, he later went on to work side-by-side with the rap mogul as president of Bad Boy Records and later, vice chairman of Revolt TV & Media.

Outside of his music endeavors, Harrell dabbled in film, producing Honey, which starred Jessica Alba, Strictly Business starring Tommy Davidson and Halle Berry, and created the first multicultural major network drama to hit TV: New York Undercover.

According to reports, Harrell had been working on a TV special about Uptown with BET.

His peers have taken to social media to share their memories and condolences…

https://twitter.com/_MAXWELL_/status/1259011585089196033

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