Uptown Records Founder Andre Harell Passes Away at The Age of 59

In her Verzus battle with Jill Scott tonight Erykah Badu credits the now late Andre Harrell to their musical careers and everything that was done tonight on the live was a tribute to Andre Harell.  for those that do not know who Andre Harrell was you missed out on an icon of the music industry and one of the most influential executives of the generation.

“Andre understood that by connecting R&B and hip-hop to fashion, lifestyle and aspiration, it would have an impact on the culture overall.” - Barry Michael Cooper (via Complex Mag)

The former Uptown Records founder died from complications of a heart attack at the age of 59. According to the Los Angeles police department, he was found dead alone in his Los Angeles apartment. He was known for launching the careers of Jodeci, Mary J. Blige Al B. Sure as well as Diddy.  According to Complex, Harrell was regarded as the prototype for the "high style, black excellence refinement Sean Combs shoots for, or the brother-from-another of rap mogul Russel Simmons"

Harell created that grown and sexy space and the formula of connecting the music to the current culture, he will never be forgotten.  There will be a BET special in honor of Harell releasing at the end of the year titled Uptown.

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