Andre Harrell, a US record executive credited for shaping the music careers of a league of renowned artistes including Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, is dead aged 59.
Revolt, a music-oriented digital cable TV network founded by Diddy, broke the sad news in a statement on Saturday, although the cause of the record producer’s death wasn’t disclosed.
“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,” said Roma Khanna, the Revolt chief executive.
“Andre’s impact on Hip Hop, the culture, and on all of us personally has been immeasurable and profound. May he Rest In Peace.
“He was known to have the midas touch when it came to discovering and developing talent.
“He was responsible for changing the sound of R&B music and crossing artist and executives over into what was then known as ‘pop culture.”
Doubling as the founder of Uptown Records, Harrell served as the president/CEO of Motown Records and the first half of the hip-hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde.
He is acclaimed to be the man who turned Diddy into a music mogul, reportedly transforming the careers of Mary Blige, a US singer and actress, and Heavy D, a Jamaican-born American rapper.
The news of Harrell’s death has hit the hip-hop community hard as tributes continue to pour in.
I’m completely fucked up at the loss of The Godfather @iamAndreHarrell 😭😭😭 at a complete loss for words. Was my mentor, teacher, forefather, and always rooted for me. I love you and I hate this!!!! RIP King!! https://t.co/WNSMnZNzSn
— Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) May 9, 2020
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R.I.P to Andre Harrell God Bless him. pic.twitter.com/KMhEv6GHr2
— 50cent (@50cent) May 9, 2020
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😔LEGEND your name sits high. You molded the most ICONIC R&B/Hiphop artist in MUSIC! I met you in the 90’s & you asked me to write 4 Taral Hicks & everytime you saw me you told me to keep writing! Your accomplishments speaks for itself but YOU THE PERSON is who WE LOVE🕊Rip💜 pic.twitter.com/S1gjdf9lKR
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) May 9, 2020
RIP Andre Harrell. Whether we knew it or not, he had such a huge influence on the R&B/hip-hop my generation grew up loving. He signed and mentored so many great artists, made so much great music happen, helped shape the culture
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 9, 2020
Dude. #AndreHarrell man.
He gave you the best soundtracks of your life man and you didn’t even know it. We never gave him his flowers.
He redefined the party!
Def Jan was the artform.
Bad Boy was the attitude… https://t.co/mPD2R8MZK1— Hold On Be Strong (@questlove) May 9, 2020
Ahh man😢 My brother my friend my mentor wow …We just spoke and your energy was way up. Your spirits were so high 🙏🏽I could of never predict that you was on your way home King🙏🏽 Thank you for always supporting good… https://t.co/VcihfB5GWB
— SWIZZ BEATZ (@THEREALSWIZZZ) May 9, 2020
WHY . WE . GOTTA . HURT . LIKE . THIS . REST . IN . PEACE . #andreharrell 😞 pic.twitter.com/kAqpU8XL1l
— MAXWELL (@_MAXWELL_) May 9, 2020
Back in the day, I read Andre Harrell's Vibe piece about the origins of Hip Hop. He stated disco was instrumental in its development, that rappers had rejected the roots of hip hop & had become dangerously closed minded. It was a inspiring piece. Respect to Andre Harrell
— DETROIT STATE OF MIND (@carlcraignet) May 10, 2020
Wow, Andre Harrell and Swizz Beatz just talked about "Cross My Mind" last week. Life is so crazy wow. RIP to Andre.
— Watch #GiveYoutheGame on YouTube! (@GiaPeppers) May 10, 2020
I just woke up to the awful news that my friend Andre Harrell has passed away.. Andre actually was the person the got me on New York Undercover which started my relationship with Dick Wolf.. My sincere condolences to his family. RIP my friend. Smh 🙏 pic.twitter.com/CJTymfAylg
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) May 9, 2020
Why Andre 😢😢😢 My heart is breaking and I can't stop crying. He was an amazing friend and I will miss him forever. 😢
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) May 9, 2020
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