Founder of Uptown Records Andre Harrell Passed Away

Andre Harrell, founder of influential R&B and Hip-Hop label Uptown Records, has died at the age of 59. Harrell‘s passing was first announced by DJ D-Nice on his Instagram Live earlier today. Details of his death are not confirmed, yet.

Harrell started his music career as half of the early-’80s hip-hop duo Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. The pair’s biggest hit was Genius Rap in 1982. He was later on hired by Def Jam and worked his way up to vice president and general manager of the label. Shortly thereafter he started his own label Uptown Records. It quickly rose to preeminence with hits from Heavy D & The Boyz, B. Sure! & Guy. Andre Harrell‘s biggest discovery was Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, who started off as an intern in Uptown, and eventually worked there full-time as a talent director. Harrell left Uptown in 1995 to become CEO of Motown Records for a short period of time.

BlackoutHipHop extends condolences to Andre Harrell’s family and friends.