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The music world lost an R&B and hip-hop legend when Andre Harrell passed away May 7 from heart failure. He was 59. The Bronx-born music executive — who helped launch the careers of everyone from Heavy D & the Boyz and Guy to Sean “Diddy” Combs and Mary J. Blige — will have his life …
The music world lost an R&B and hip-hop legend when Andre Harrell passed away May 7 from heart failure. He was 59.
The Bronx-born music executive — who helped launch the careers of everyone from Heavy D & the Boyz and Guy to Sean “Diddy” Combs and Mary J. Blige — will have his life celebrated Sunday at 7 p.m. The tribute will air commercial-free on BET, BETJams, BET Soul and REVOLT TV, where Harrell served as vice chairman.
The salute to Harrell — titled “Mr. Champagne and Bubbles” after his nickname — will also stream on YouTube. Among those slated to pay homage to Harrell, who was the Berry Gordy of the new jack swing and hip-hop soul eras, include Chris Rock, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Babyface, Naomi Campbell, Lee Daniels and Robin Thicke.
Harrell founded Uptown Records, breaking acts such as Al B. Sure! and Jodeci in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He then went on to become president/CEO of Motown Records — the same label that Gordy founded.
In an Instagram tribute to Harrell, Combs — who founded Bad Boy Records after learning from Harrell — gave a touching tribute to his mentor.
“I hope to God that you are all blessed to have someone in your life that loves you and believes in you like this man believed in me,” he wrote. “I’m going to miss him so much. I can’t even imagine life without Dre.”
