1. Andre O'Neal Harrell was an American record executive, media proprietor, and former rapper.
20 Facts About Andre Harrell
1. 2.
Andre Harrell is credited with discovering and giving the latter his start in the industry in 1990.
3.
Andre Harrell was born in New York City's borough of the Bronx on September 26,1960.
4.
Andre Harrell's father, Bernie, worked at a produce market in the Bronx's Hunts Point section; his mother, Hattie, was a nurse's aide.
5.
Andre Harrell cultivated his entrepreneurial instincts throughout high school, raising money with candy drives and picking up jobs with a local messenger service.
6.
Andre Harrell graduated from Charles Evans Hughes High School in 1978.
7.
Andre Harrell attended Baruch College, and then transferred to Lehman College in the fall of 1980.
8.
In 1983, Andre Harrell met Russell Simmons, a co-founder of Def Jam Recordings.
9.
Andre Harrell went to work for Def Jam and within two years became vice-president and general manager.
10.
Andre Harrell is credited with having discovered and signed Sean "Puffy" Combs.
11.
In 1988, Andre Harrell was offered a label deal from MCA Music Entertainment Group.
12.
Andre Harrell renamed Uptown Records as Uptown Enterprises, and its records were featured in productions for Universal Pictures and Universal Television.
13.
In 1994, Andre Harrell had a son with Wendy Credle, a music attorney.
14.
In 1995, Andre Harrell was appointed CEO of Motown Records and remained there until 1997.
15.
Andre Harrell was the CEO of Andre Harrell Records, which is distributed through Atlantic Records.
16.
Andre Harrell partnered with budding Atlanta-based production company L7 Entertainment for the release of their new artists Hamilton Park and Netta Brielle.
17.
Andre Harrell was the Vice Chairman of Revolt, Diddy's multi-platform music network.
18.
Andre Harrell died on May 7,2020, at his home in West Hollywood, California.
19.
Andre Harrell was 59, and news of his death was first announced on Instagram by D-Nice.
20.
At Lehman College's Leadership Gala on September 14,2023, alumnus Andre Harrell was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa.