Andre Harrell (1960–2020)

R.I.P.

By Emily Bicks | Heavy.

Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records, and one-half of the rap duo Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde died on May 8, 2020. He was 59.

The announcement made by DJ D-Nice during his live Club Quarantine set on Instagram Friday night and online users were all shocked to learn of the music mogul’s passing. Sources confirmed to AllHipHop News that Harrell died suddenly, but a cause of death was not immediately revealed.

“Bad Boy era. Rockafella era. It all comes from Uptown.”

Saluting Andre Harrell. The architect of so much music, so much culture.

Rest now. In power and peace. pic.twitter.com/rcmSeNNllV

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 9, 2020

Harrell founded Uptown Records in 1986 and is responsible for launching the careers of Mary J. Blige, Heavy D & The Boyz, Teddy Riley, Jodeci, and Diddy. In 1995, as the CEO of Motown Records, he managed the careers of superstars such as Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder.

Harell is survived by his 25-year-old son, Gianni Harrell, whom Diddy refers to as his godson. Gianni’s mother is entertainment lawyer Wendy Credle.