Remembering Andre Harrell

• UPDATED: This weekend delivered a double dose of terrible news –along with the passing of musical icon Little Richard, we received word that Andre Harrell, Founder of Uptown Records, Vice Chairman of REVOLT, and former VP/GM of Def Jam and President of Motown Records, has died at the age of 59. The news of Harrell’s passing was initially delivered late Friday evening by DJ D-Nice while he was spinning on Instagram Live for his popular Club Quarantine series. Harrell’s ex-wife, Wendy Credle, said that the cause of death was heart failure and that he had been experiencing heart problems for some time.

As reported by Variety, Harrell broke into the music business as half of the rap duo Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, who had a minor hit in 1981 with “Genius Rap.” Two years later he teamed up with Def Jam Recordings’ founder Russell Simmons, rising to VP and later, GM of the label. In 1986 he left to start his own label, Uptown Records, playing a key role in the development of the “New Jack Swing” style of R&B, courtesy of acts like Guy (featuring influential producer-performer Teddy Riley), Al B. Sure! and Jodeci, along with Heavy D and the Boyz and Father MC. In the late ’80s Harrell signed a teenaged Mary J. Blige, athough her career didn’t fully take off until the early ’90s, with help from Harrell’s enterprising former intern, Sean “Puffy” Combs, who was quickly elevated to an A&R position at Uptown. Combs’ A&R gig led to him discovering the demo tape for a rapper named Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. “The Notorious B.I.G.” As the story goes, Combs was fired from Uptown in 1993 after which he launched Bad Boy Records and promptly signed Wallace to a deal with his own label.

Harrell later housed Uptown at MCA where he simultaneously developed multiple projects in film and television, including the movie and soundtrack for Strictly Business. From 1995-97 he served as President & CEO of Motown Records. More recently he was Executive Producer of the series New York Undercover.

Harrell and Combs remained longtime friends and business associates — since 2013 Harrell had served as Vice Chairman of REVOLT, Combs’ multi-platform music and television network. On Saturday morning, REVOLT CEO Roma Khana released a statement that read, “We can confirm the passing of Andre Harrell. Everyone in the REVOLT family is devastated by the loss of our friend, mentor and Vice-Chairman. Andre’s impact on the culture and on us has been immeasurable and profound. May he Rest In Peace.” REVOLT.tv has also posted a tribute to Harrell.

• Billboard has compiled a list of “10 Essential Tracks That Defined The Legacy of Uptown Records and Founder Andre Harrell.”